Sustainability is at the forefront of the design, delivery and operation of Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) to maximise long term benefits for the environment, community and the economy.

SRL will take around 600,000 car trips and 2 million passenger kilometres off our roads every day, and the underground SRL East stations will have a minimum 5-star Green Star rating. The high-tech SRL trains will be powered by 100% renewable energy and use regenerative braking for optimum efficiency – capturing and re-using energy to slash power use by as much as a third. The standalone rail line will be powered through alternating current, which needs less power and fewer substations.

SRL’s rail infrastructure will be built to achieve a minimum ‘Excellent’ rating through the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia IS v2.1 Rating Scheme.

Materials and waste

The Victorian Government’s Recycled First Policy requires contractors to incorporate as much recycled and reused material as possible into the project. We will contribute to a circular economy, diverting more than 95% of construction and demolition waste from landfill, and strive for a minimum 35% reduction in cement content in concrete.

Our Burwood and Heatherton sites are already using recycled concrete and rock from the Level Crossing Removal Project works in Surrey Hills and Glen Huntly.

Urban design

We will plant more than 4000 trees as we build SRL, doubling the tree canopy in the areas around SRL Precincts to create cool, green and inviting public spaces in the neighbourhoods around each station. SRL will deliver 15km of new and enhanced walking and cycling paths near SRL East stations, and 400-750 undercover bike spaces at each station – the highest number in Australia.

We’re also delivering new and upgraded open space, including returning Gardiners Creek in Burwood to a more natural state by removing the concrete-lined channel, flattening the banks and planting shrubs and trees.

Energy and carbon

In line with the Victorian Government's Climate Change Strategy (2021), SRL East will reduce energy use and carbon emissions during construction and operation. All rail infrastructure, stations and buildings will be powered with 100% renewable energy.

In delivering SRL, we aim to reduce carbon emissions from materials and the supply chain by at least 20%. Onsite renewable energy sources will be maximised, with 20% of the energy demand from stabling facility operations to be provided by solar panels. Energy technologies are rapidly advancing, and we will continue to apply relevant energy efficiency measures as they are developed.

Water

SRL will be designed to minimise the use of drinking water from stations by at least 45% and increase opportunities to reuse rainwater, stormwater, wastewater and groundwater. At least 80% of water used at the stabling facility will be collected from roofs and stormwater retention.

Climate Change

The areas around SRL stations will support sustainability and biodiversity and will be designed to adapt to climate change, with vegetation and reflective features at stations to help green the areas and keep them cool.

Digital Environment Effects Statement

The SRL East Environment Effects Statement (EES) was published online in late 2021. It was Victoria's first fully digital EES, with information the equivalent of 33,000 pages able to be easily accessed online - setting the benchmark for future projects. The SRL East EES identified the widespread community benefits of SRL East and proposed ways to avoid, minimise, offset or manage any adverse impacts of construction and operation.

Fast Facts

• Trains and stations powered by 100% renewable energy
• 600,00 fewer car journeys daily
• 2m fewer passenger kilometres daily
• Recycled First Policy initiatives
• Minimised water usage
• 5-star Green Star Rating for all stations
• 15kms of new and upgraded walking and cycling paths
• 3450 undercover bike spces at SRL East stations
• 4000+ trees planted as part of SRL East