Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a city and State-shaping project that will transform Victoria’s public transport system, connecting our suburbs and making travel easier and more convenient.

SRL East will connect our growing health, education, retail and employment precincts in Melbourne's east and south east between Cheltenham and Box Hill.

As part of SRL East, a train stabling facility will be built in Heatherton. The stabling facility is a critical part of the SRL East network and needs to be constructed near the start of the rail line to allow SRL’s fleet of high-tech trains to run services efficiently each day.

Before we start major construction for SRL East, we are undertaking Initial and Early Works at each of the sites from Cheltenham to Box Hill, including Heatherton.

SRL East Project Timeline

September 2021

• Initial Works community consultation

November 2021 – May 2022

• Environment Effects Statement (EES) consultation including Early Works

December 2021

• Initial Works approved

September 2022

• Early Works approved

2022

• Initial and Early Works package begun

2025

• Initial and Early Works finish Main Works begin

What are Initial and Early Works?

Initial and Early Works involve activities such as utility relocations, site establishment, minor road modifications, site levelling and ground

improvement works.

These works help prepare project areas for major works while minimising the impact on the local community, businesses and road users during the Main Works.

The Initial and Early Works package is being delivered by Managing Contractor, Laing O’Rourke.

Initial and Early Works to be undertaken at Heatherton

Planning approvals

Initial and Early Works have been assessed and approved via two separate planning pathways. Initial Works were approved under Clause 52.30 - State Projects planning provision.

Early Works were approved as part of the SRL East Environment Effects Statement. The assessment of these works found that the environmental effects will be manageable.

Managing impacts

As with any major infrastructure project, surrounding residents and businesses may experience some disruption during project works.

Suburban Rail Loop Authority is committed to minimising and managing disruption for local residents, business and communities as much as possible. However, we do anticipate some potential impacts including:

• Changes to traffic conditions for drivers (including temporary speed reductions and lane closures), cyclists and pedestrians
• Some noise, vibration and dust from construction activities, machinery and vehicles
• Removal of vegetation and trees, where required
• Potential short-term impacts to driveway access and on-street car parking.

Before works start, we will notify and engage with residents and businesses about activities planned in their area, what to expect and how any disruptions will be managed.

Your questions answered

Will you notify the community about these works?

We will notify local residents and business about what to expect and how disruptions will be managed using works notifications, signage, advertising and notices on our website, social media channels and email newsletters.

Will there be traffic impacts?

Yes, some works will require changes to traffic conditions. We will notify the local community ahead of these changes. Traffic management and speed reductions will be in place where required.

Will homes and businesses be affected during the works?

Access to all residential properties and businesses will be maintained wherever possible throughout works.