More transport, more jobs, more homes

Melbourne is the fastest growing city in Australia, and we need more public transport and more homes in the right places.

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will deliver both – with a vision for 70,000 more homes to be gradually accommodated above and around the six new SRL East stations from Cheltenham to Box Hill.

More housing supply means young people have a better chance of owning a home near where they grew up - and more options for every stage of life. And SRL will ensure new housing is built on the doorstep of world-class public transport, with local jobs, services and open spaces nearby.

We have spent many months hearing from locals about how the areas around the new SRL stations can best accommodate more homes. We're now consulting on proposed 'Key Directions' that outline how these areas can evolve over time to meet the needs of a growing population. These have been shaped with the help of community and councils, and show how SRL precincts can host more jobs, housing and services over time with proper planning and land use changes.

Upcoming works in Cheltenham

We’re preparing to move underground services and utilities from mid-year to make way for major construction - so keep an eye out for our work sites and thank you for your patience while we build this city-shaping project.

Crews have established a site at the Sir William Fry Reserve southern car park in Highett, with the car park to remain closed for up to 18 months. Workers are also conducting site investigations to prepare for construction of the new underground station and twin tunnels.

Cheltenham, let's talk details

By the 2050s, Melbourne will be a city of nine million – the same size as London today.

SRL is more than a rail line – as both a planning and transport project it will help shape how our city grows in the decades ahead, attracting new investment, housing and businesses to the areas around the new stations.

Your community’s feedback is already informing the planning for Cheltenham. Locals have told us they’d like Whitehorse Road and Station Street to be more accessible and walkable - this is reflected in plans to create a linear park on the south side of Whitehorse Road that will enhance this stretch through the heart of Cheltenham as a place for families to eat, shop and enjoy open space and playgrounds.

Our latest phase of consultation continues to build on the many conversations we’ve had with residents, traders and the council since 2019, including on a ‘Draft Vision’ released in December 2023. This online survey attracted more than 33,000 views and received more than 3,400 responses.

The proposed changes outlined in recently released Key Directions will deliver more homes and jobs in existing busy commercial and industrial pockets, including on main streets and near health and education centres – plus better transport connections and
community spaces.

There are lots of ways you can provide your feedback, including visiting one of our information sessions, local pop-up events and online.

About your new SRL station

The new underground station at Cheltenham will be the southern gateway to the SRL network, connecting more people to one of Melbourne’s major retail and entertainment hubs, Southland Shopping Centre. Trains will run every 6 minutes in the peak, increasing with demand to every 2 minutes.

The station will be an inviting and light-filled space, with features inspired by local history and landmarks including its bayside location and the Highett Gasworks. The SRL station will include a fast and easy connection to the existing Southland Station and passengers will not have to touch on and off. Trains will be taking passengers by 2035.