Green light for start of construction, station sites confirmed

$2.2 billion has been provided in the 2020-21 Victorian Budget for all Initial and Early Works for Stage One of Suburban Rail Loop, with works to start in 2022.

Up to 800 early jobs will be created in this preparatory phase, which will pave the way for major construction and many thousands of jobs on Victoria’s biggest ever infrastructure project.

The preferred locations of Stage One’s six new underground stations in Melbourne’s south east have also been announced.

The starting point of the new line will be near Southland, underneath Sir William Fry Reserve, with other stations adjacent to Monash and Deakin Universities, central to the Box Hill and Glen Waverley activity centres and north of Carinish Road, Clayton, where a transport super-hub will connect regional passengers to the loop.

The proposed station sites and refined underground rail corridor between Cheltenham and Box Hill have been determined following 18 months of intensive project development and design, almost 300 geotechnical investigations and engineering assessments, more than 500 land, ecology and heritage surveys, and consultation with local stakeholders.

A concentrated geotechnical drilling program as well as further community and stakeholder engagement is now underway to determine the precise underground station footprints and station entrances. Local residents, businesses and landowners will be notified as work in these areas increases over coming months and will be kept informed of potential impacts as plans for the stations develop.

As one of the state’s most important infrastructure projects, Suburban Rail Loop will position Melbourne and Victoria for the challenges of the future, and will contribute to the State’s economic rebound. The project will generate a long pipeline of work and construction activity, creating up to 20,000 jobs during construction.

What you've told us so far about your local areas

Since early June, we’ve been hearing from people online across Stage One communities in Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill. We’ve asked them to tell us what they value most about these areas, as well as what they would like to see happen in the future as planning for the new stations and precincts continues.

• 573 surveys completed.
• 1011 comments posted.
• Most respondents are 35 to 49 years old – 33.5%.

Burwood

63% visit to use parks and open space

• Access to open green spaces and the local flora and fauna makes Burwood special. People want local parks and reserves enhanced, such as Wattle Park and Gardiners Reserve.
• Traffic congestion is a key challenge, particularly on major roads such as Burwood Highway and Middleborough Road.
• People want a direct rail connection, as well as an improved transport network, including buses, trams and walking and cycling paths.

Monash

77% work in the area

• Monash University is a hub of learning, research and employment, and people value its natural open spaces.
• Limited public transport options and poor connections between different modes is a key challenge.
• People want a direct train connection to Monash University and improved pedestrian, cycling and public transport connections.

Cheltenham

74% live in the area

• Natural environment and access to open space, particularly walking tracks, parks and natural reserves is important. People want the natural environment protected and enhanced.
• Traffic congestion is a key challenge, particularly in peak hour and at school drop off time.
• People want a greater focus on walking and cycling, including better pedestrian connections between local shops and public transport.

Box Hill

63% visit to eat, shop and for entertainment

• Box Hill is special because of its rich retail mix, particularly the range of grocery stores and restaurants.
• People value good access to public transport and connection to Melbourne’s CBD.
• They want improved pedestrian connectivity, particularly between the bus depot, existing train station, tram line and the new Suburban Rail Loop station.

Glen Waverley

76% visit to eat, shop or for entertainment

• People value the mix of retail and entertainment offerings, particularly The Glen Shopping Centre and surrounding restaurants.
• Traffic congestion and car parking is a key challenge for car users and pedestrians. Some people are concerned about a lack of car parking close to the existing station and retail hub, while others want reduced car parking and less focus on cars.
• People want a greater focus on walking and cycling, including safer pedestrian crossings, dedicated cycling lanes and improved pedestrian connectivity between the existing train station and retail hub.

Clayton

62% visit to use health and recreation services

• People value diversity of restaurants, cafes and grocery stores, but there are opportunities to upgrade and revitalise these areas.
• Access to medical services, including Monash Hospital, is important.
• People want a greater focus on safer pedestrian and cycling connections, including more lighting, safer pedestrian crossings and dedicated cycling lanes on major roads.

There’s still time!

Tell us your views on your local area. You can provide your feedback by visiting Engage Vic.

Community input

Community feedback has an important part to play in the development and delivery of the project, and the project team has continued to engage with people safely online during 2020s Covid-19 restrictions.

To date, we’ve reached more than one million people via social media, had almost 150,000 website views and received around 5000 online engagement submissions.

We’re also keeping people informed if they live in an area that could be impacted by future project disruptions or works. Letters are going out to thousands of landowners and tenants in the general vicinity of the six Stage One station areas to let them know about increased project activity. We have also recently contacted the landowners and tenants of up to 300 homes and businesses whose property is in an area of interest for the project. They will be kept informed as plans for the stations develop and specific station footprints are confirmed.

We expect to be able to share further design information in the coming months, with ongoing opportunities for the community and stakeholders to provide input.

Construction starts 2022

$2.2 billion provided for the first phase of Stage One construction will take Suburban Rail Loop from the concept and planning stage to on-the-ground delivery.

Initial and Early Works will commence in 2022, creating up to 800 early direct jobs and enabling launch sites to be established for tunnel boring machines (TBMs). The package of works involves a range of activities across the Stage One project area, including land purchase, upgrading roads and power supply, building new sub-stations, utility relocations and protection and ground improvements.

In the meantime, site investigations and other pre-construction works will continue to ramp up over the coming weeks and months. To find out more about what’s happening in your area, visit our Works notifications.