8 June 2023

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.

The new underground SRL station at Monash will connect more people to Melbourne’s largest employment and innovation hub outside the CBD – providing students, employees and visitors with a direct train connection to the area for the first time.

The station will improve access to world-class education, health and research facilities, delivering important transport connections to the Monash National Employment and Innovation Cluster.

It will also attract investment in new housing, as well as commercial, retail and other opportunities.

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

What are Initial and Early Works?

Initial and Early Works involve activities such as utility relocations, site establishment, road modifications, site levelling and demolition works.

These works help prepare 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.

SRL East Project Timeline

September 2021
  • Initial Works community consultation
November 2021 - May 2022
  • Environment Effects Statement (ESS) consultation, including Early Works
December 2021
  • Initial works approved
September 2022
  • Early works approved
2022
  • Initial and early works package starts
2025
  • Initial and Early works finish
  • Main works being.

Initial and Early Works to be undertaken at Monash

Planned worksWhat the works involve
Construction power
  • Developing new and improving existing power assets, in conjunction with utility providers, to enable Main Works construction to occur. These assets will provide power during SRL East construction and operation.
Road modifications
  • Road modifications at Howleys Road and Ferntree Gully Road intersection for construction vehicle access
  • Road widening and median modifications to Blackburn Road and Normanby Road intersection for construction vehicle access
  • Footpath modifications at Normanby Road and Blackburn Road intersection to ensure safe pedestrian connectivity is maintained.
Site establishment
  • Establish temporary site facilities for project staff, lay down areas
  • for construction materials and prepare the site for Main Works to begin
  • Activities include:
    • Traffic barrier and fencing installation
    • Tree and vegetation removal
    • Hazardous material removal (if required)
    • Excavation and earthworks to clear and level the area
    • Drainage installation
    • Site demolition and clearance.
Site investigations
  • Obtaining information about the existing ground conditions and identifying the location of utility services. This data helps inform project planning and construction methods.
Utility relocations  
  • Relocating and protecting underground utilities including power, telecommunications, gas, water, and sewer to make way for excavation of the underground station.

Planning approvals

Initial and Early Works have been assessed and approved via two separate planning pathways. Initial Works were assessed and approved by the Minister for Planning as part of the Clause 52.30 - State Projects planning provision.

Early Works were approved following the Minister’s assessment of the EES. These approvals include a planning scheme amendment, project area designation and cultural heritage management plans.

Managing impacts

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

The project is committed to minimising and managing disruption for local residents, businesses 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