Expanding the SRL East construction area in Box Hill

13 April 2026

Introduction

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will connect our suburbs, slash travel times, deliver more homes, and ensure our city grows in the right places.

SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill will transform our public transport network – better connecting Victorians to employment, hospitals, universities and each other.

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.

SRL East is creating new public open space in Box Hill, including a new linear park along the future realigned Whitehorse Road. New permanent open spaces at Ellingworth Parade and Court and Watts streets will also give the community more places to gather, relax and play.

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.

Expanded construction area

On 22 December 2025 the Minister for Planning approved Planning Scheme Amendment C257whse and the associated planning documents which allows for the expansion of the SRL East construction area in Box Hill.

For readability, we refer to Planning Scheme Amendment C257whse simply as the amendment throughout this report.

The expanded construction area refers to 941–951 Whitehorse Road, which SRLA purchased in October 2024, and part of Hiltons Lane. This additional space allows the new SRL station to be built more safely and efficiently, while minimising disruption and reducing impacts on local residents. Using a larger area for construction activities will help keep works moving smoothly.

Whitehorse Consultation Report map

Engagement approach

Stakeholder engagement

Consultation was undertaken from July to August 2025 with the Department of Transport and Planning, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Council, Whitehorse City Council, and other stakeholders with an interest in the amendment to expand the SRL East construction area in Box Hill. Stakeholders were invited to provide written feedback through Engage Victoria.

Community engagement

From 7 July 2025 to 10 August 2025 we collected feedback from the community through the Engage Victoria website.

We asked the community what the Minister for Planning should consider when assessing the amendment and associated planning documentation.

To support this engagement, we:

Distributed 995 letters to local residents, businesses and property owners
Briefed key state agencies, the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Council and Whitehorse City Council
Published all planning documents associated with the proposed change on Engage Victoria
Briefed the Box Hill Precinct Reference Group
Provided information in English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.

Community engagement snapshot

In total we received 24 submissions from stakeholders and community including:

What we heard

We thank the community for taking the time to provide their feedback

Following is a summary of feedback received through the Engage Victoria survey and community submissions. Feedback that was not directly related to the amendment or the associated planning documents was considered out of scope for this consultation. Where relevant, out-of-scope submissions have been passed onto the Project Team for consideration as part of future works.

Respondents’ connection to Box Hill

What is your connection to Box Hill?	Respondents’ connection
Other	38.5%
I Live nearby	34.6%
I work nearby	19.2%
I run a buisness nearby	7.7%

Community feedback – expanding the SRL East construction area in Box Hill

	What we heard	SRLA response
Noise	Some respondents told us they were concerned about increased construction noise in the Box Hill area.	An assessment was undertaken to understand potential noise impacts from demolition, site establishment and crane activities in the expanded construction area. The assessment found that noise levels are expected to be consistent with those already assessed as part of the SRL East Environmental Effects Statement. The expanded construction area is not expected to result in a noticeable increase in noise in the broader Box Hill area. Noise and vibration will continue to be managed through existing SRL East noise and vibration requirements and support measures.
Environmental	Some respondents asked what environmental management measures would be in place during construction	Environmental management requirements were assessed through the SRL East Environment Effects Statement. Contractors must prepare and implement environmental management plans that set out how environmental matters will be managed on each construction site. These plans are reviewed and verified by an Independent Environmental Auditor before works can start. Construction activities in the expanded construction area will be managed in line with existing environmental requirements for SRL East.
Congestion	Some respondents asked what environmental management measures would be in place during construction	The expanded construction area will not result in additional construction traffic beyond what has already been assessed for SRL East. Traffic, parking and local access will continue to be managed through approved traffic and construction parking management plans, developed in consultation with Whitehorse City Council, public transport operators and emergency services. These plans include measures that manage impacts on residents, businesses, public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists.
Impact on small business	Some respondents provided feedback about supporting small businesses in the area.	The expanded construction area is not expected to create any new impacts to surrounding businesses. Ongoing engagement with affected businesses will continue during construction and any impacts will be managed through existing SRL East business support measures.
Pedestrian access	Some respondents told us they valued pedestrian access in the Box Hill area.	The amendment does not change existing pedestrian access in Box Hill. The expanded construction area does not directly affect existing footpaths or shared-use paths. At times, construction vehicles may exit onto Station Street from Hiltons Lane. Pedestrian access will be managed safely through approved traffic and construction parking management plans. Additional measures will be in place to manage impacts on pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users, residents and businesses.
Consideration of local heritage	Some respondents highlighted local heritage and raised concerns about the nearby heritage listed bank.	The expanded construction area is located next to the former State Savings Bank at 953 Whitehorse Road, which is covered by a Heritage Overlay. No direct works are proposed to the heritage-listed building. Any potential impacts, such as vibration or ground movement, will be managed through existing SRL East heritage and construction management measures. Pre-construction and post-construction condition surveys are offered to measure impacts caused by works. Procedures are in place to manage any unexpected archaeological finds in consultation with Heritage Victoria.
Demolition	Some respondents raised concerns about demolition in the expanded construction area.	The buildings in the expanded construction area are not subject to heritage controls, so demolition does not require separate planning approval. An existing planning permit already allows demolition and construction activities in the expanded construction area.
Flora and Fauna	Some respondents told us they were concerned about potential impacts on flora and fauna.	No threatened or protected flora or fauna have been identified on the site. The site is already fully developed and contains minimal vegetation. A small number of planted trees and shrubs are located on the site. A tree, already assessed as part of the SRL East Environmental Effects statement, may be removed.

Next steps

All feedback provided as part of the consultation on expanding the SRL East construction area in Box Hill was considered and incorporated into the submission to the Minister for Planning. Planning Scheme Amendment C257whse was approved by the Minister for Planning on 22 December 2025.

We will continue engaging with the community and stakeholders as construction on SRL East progresses. Thank you again to everyone who provided feedback, and to the local community for the interest and patience as we deliver the transformational SRL project for Victoria and Melbourne.

Download the report

Expanding the construction area in Box Hill engagement report (PDF 14.5 MB)