Introduction
Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will transform our public transport system, deliver more homes, and help shape Melbourne into a city of centres. SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill will link major employment, health, education and retail destinations in Melbourne’s east and south east.
The new underground station at Box Hill will be one of the busiest and most well-connected stations on the metropolitan network – making it easier and faster to access the area’s thriving retail, education and health services.
The station will provide a convenient connection to the existing Box Hill Station on the Belgrave/Lilydale line and will integrate with local tram and bus services – connecting more people to jobs, health services and study opportunities in one of Melbourne’s fastest growing education and medical precincts.
Diversifying open space during construction in Box Hill Gardens
To safely construct the new SRL station, we’ll be occupying a portion of the eastern side of Box Hill Gardens for seven to eight years. We appreciate this means the community will not have access to a cherished space for an extended period. As a result, we will create new open space and restore the Gardens once the construction is complete.
We recognise the value Box Hill Gardens holds for the community and visitors. It’s a place of relaxation, recreation, and memory-making. That’s why we’re creating new public spaces within walking distance of Box Hill Gardens at:
- 10-12 Watts Street and 11 Court Street, Box Hill (adjoining sites)
- Ellingworth Parade car park, Box Hill.
In addition, we’re enhancing the areas of Box Hill Gardens that will remain open during the construction period.
These new public spaces and permanent enhancements to Box Hill Gardens will be ready before major SRL works begin in 2026. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
What we heard - Box Hill open space
We collected feedback from the community through Engage Victoria from 28 February to 27 March 2024.
We sought feedback on the draft concepts for open space at the proposed locations and enhancements to Box Hill Gardens.
Your feedback is being used to inform a Public Open Space Management Plan (POSMP) for Box Hill, as well as the design of the new open spaces and enhancements to Box Hill Gardens.
To support this engagement, we provided information on the Box Hill open space consultation via:
- An information session at Box Hill Town Hall
- Pop-ups at Box Hill Central and Box Hill Gardens
- Digital advertising and social media promotion
- Signage at proposed open space sites
- Letter to properties close to the new and
existing sites - The Box Hill Precinct Reference Group
- Direct engagement with Whitehorse City Council
- Stakeholder briefings
- Fact sheets with information in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese
Information, including the Engage Victoria survey, was provided in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
| Age of respondents | percentage |
|---|
| 18 years or older | 4% |
| 19 to 34 years old | 25% |
| 35 to 49 years old | 20% |
| 50 to 65 years old | 20% |
| 65 years and older | 13% |
| N/A | 18% |
Community engagement snapshot
- 92 community responses, including 16 responses in Traditional and Simplified Chinese.
- Three written responses from organisations local to Box Hill
Communication and engagement
- Social media posts reaching over 55,554 people
- eNews article sent to over 4501 subscribers with around 28 clicks through to the information session held in Box Hill.
- Engage Victoria had 224 views from 127 visitors
Participants' connection to Box Hill
| Participants' connection to Box Hill | Number of responses |
|---|
| I go there to eat, shop, or for entertainment | 55 |
| I go there to use the parks and open spaces | 52 |
| I work there | 39 |
| I study there | 27 |
| I travel through there often | 7 |
| Other | 4 |
Community feedback
Watts Street – Court Street, a space for people to gather and connect with nature.
| Support for the draft open space concept for Watts Street – Court Street | Number of responses |
|---|
| Yes | 43 |
| No | 36 |
| Not sure | 13 |
47% of respondents support the draft open space concept for Watts Street and Court Street.
| What we heard | SRLA response |
|---|
Respondents told us: - They support increasing permanent open spaces in Box Hill for community gatherings and promoting active transport between amenities.
- They want to preserve existing trees and include native plantings to provide a serene place for the community to reconnect with nature.
- To include amenities like play spaces for children and adults, seating options in the sun and shade, Indigenous storytelling and art, drinking fountain and water feature/play area, public toilet, rubbish bin, lighting, bike track and bike repair station, community garden and off-leash dog area, picnic area and BBQ facilities, fitness equipment and basketball hoops.
- They are concerned the proposed site will be small, could be underutilised or become overcrowded, leading to increased noise and rubbish or becoming unsafe. They are also concerned about reduced parking in the area.
| - The community’s support aligns with Whitehorse City Council’s 2021 Draft Structure Plan, which identified opportunities to deliver open spaces in the Watts and Court Street precinct. Our draft open space concept for Watts Street and Court Street, developed in collaboration with the Council, has received strong community support, affirming that it will be a valuable community asset.
- This space is being designed to be a peaceful place where the community can connect with nature. In consultation with Whitehorse City Council, we plan to incorporate native plantings and a complementary design. Specific features will be determined as the designs progress.
- We are discussing with Whitehorse City Council about incorporating these suggestions into the final design. The selected amenities will complement the natural environment, creating a space for people to gather and connect with nature.
- We appreciate these concerns. We aim to make this space accessible and safe, both during the day and at night, so some lighting will be necessary to achieve this. Alternative all-day and casual parking is available nearby at the four-level Watts Street car park.
|
Ellingworth Parade
An urban square near the Box Hill activity centre for people to play and socialise.
| Support for the draft open space concept for Ellingworth Parade | Number of responses |
|---|
| Yes | 42 |
| No | 36 |
| Not sure | 4 |
51% of respondents were supportive of the draft open space concept for Ellingworth Street.
| What we heard | SRLA response |
|---|
Respondents told us: - They support transforming this carpark into an open space, enhancing community amenities, and desire more trees and shrubs to provide shade.
- They want artistic sculptures or artworks and careful consideration to be given to lighting.
- They want amenities such as sitting areas, a picnic area and BBQ, a drinking fountain (including for dogs), an off-leash dog park or a dog park with an agility course, a water feature and splash pad. Requests for improved public amenities, such as toilets and rubbish bins, and walking and bike paths.
| - The community’s support aligns with Whitehorse City Council’s 2007 Box Hill Structure Plan and the 2021 Draft Structure Plan, which identified the potential conversion of the site to open space. Our design will respect the existing trees and explore opportunities to add more native plants.
- We appreciate these ideas to improve safety. We’re working closely with Whitehorse City Council to ensure this site is suitable for use both during the day and at night. We’re also discussing incorporating suggestions into the final design to enhance the space’s usability and safety.
- We’re discussing with Whitehorse City Council about incorporating these suggestions into the final design. We’re also considering multi-use public amenities, to make the best use of this space.
|
Enhancements to Box Hill Gardens
Preference for enhancements to existing open space at Box Hill Gardens.
| What we heard | SRLA response |
|---|
Respondents told us: - They want to keep the natural atmosphere of Box Hill Gardens. They want more trees and native plants, open shaded areas and grassy areas; a community or a sensory garden.
- They want picnic tables, sheltered BBQ areas, toilets and seating with rain shelters would be welcome additions to the gardens.
- They want improved connections with walking paths suitable for wheelchairs and bikes.
| - We’re focusing on enhancing underutilised sections
of the gardens to maximise its use while preserving its unique atmosphere. We’re committed to preserving a space that is green, vibrant, and enjoyable for all. - We’re working closely with Whitehorse City Council to incorporate these ideas into the future design of Box Hill Gardens, especially in the northern section. We’re commited to making the gardens a more comfortable and user-friendly place for everyone.
- We’re exploring how we can reconnect the running track to maintain this fantastic community asset
and ensure that it remains accessible to all users.
|
Additional feedback
We’ve also received valuable insights from three different organisations who took the time to express their thoughts through letters and emails.
- Uniting Agewell Box Hill
- Box Hill Brickworks Parkland Association
- Box Hill Baptist Church
| What we heard | SRLA response |
|---|
Respondents told us: - They desire several improvements in Box Hill Gardens. They expressed a need for enhanced security and lighting, particularly in areas where antisocial behaviour has occurred in the past.
They also advocated for the inclusion of dementia-friendly spaces and an all-ability playground. Additionally, they expressed a desire for visually appealing fencing, wheelchair-accessible paths leading to the walking track, sheltered seating areas, and exercise equipment suitable for the elderly. - They strongly support the idea of new permanent passive open space, particularly at the former Federation Street Brickworks site due to increased growth in the area and impacts on green spaces
and canopy trees from construction projects. - They have concerns about the availability and cost of parking due to changes in urban development. They suggested improved signage and safety features in new parking facilities and better wayfinding for pedestrians and drivers from surrounding streets.
| - We’re collaborating closely with Whitehorse City Council and will consider these ideas along with other proposed enhancements to Box Hill Gardens. We’re committed to creating a space that is inclusive, safe, and enjoyable for all.
- We appreciate the community’s passion for preserving and enhancing open spaces. As part of future planning considerations for Box Hill, we will continue to explore feasible sites that could be available close to Box Hill Gardens. We’re committed to improving open space distribution and diversity in the area.
- We recognise the importance of parking to the community. Parking feedback has been passed on to Whitehorse City Council and will be considered as part of SRL East structure planning.
|
Next steps
All the feedback we’ve gathered is shaping the design of the new open spaces that will be delivered by SRL East in Box Hill.
We’re exploring more opportunities to create additional open space in Box Hill. We’ll be seeking your input on any new proposed sites before we unveil the concept designs.
Thank you again to everyone who contributed feedback and for the interest and patience of the local Box Hill community while we deliver the transformational SRL project for Victoria and Melbourne.