Final designs for Sir William Fry Reserve

27 May 2026

What we heard

The new Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) station at Cheltenham will be the southern gateway to the SRL network, providing faster and more convenient public transport to key destinations across Melbourne’s suburbs.

To prepare for construction of the new station, we’re delivering new permanent open space in the former Highett Gasworks site and improving other parts of Sir William Fry Reserve. We are now sharing the final designs.

From 1 to 17 December 2025, we asked for feedback on the finer details of the updated design including types of plantings, types of materials and proposed native vegetation removal. The consultation also gave community members the opportunity to share additional feedback on other elements of the updated designs.

Thank you for your feedback

Community and stakeholders provided valuable feedback on the finer details of the updated design for Sir William Fry Reserve. We received 17 submissions via Engage Victoria and email. This feedback has shaped the final design for new and improved open space.

How we reached people

8,900+ factsheets delivered to mailboxes surrounding Sir William Fry Reserve
1,300+ Engage Victoria page visitors
Email to 500+ Cheltenham subscribers
5,900+ impressions on Facebook Instagram and X posts
3,500+ people engaged with the Facebook, Instagram and X posts

SRL East SWF Reserve Open Space Phase

Map description

Map showing a proposed station pocket park and new open space beside the Frankston rail line and enhancements to Sir William Fry Reserve. The new open space is shown as a linear green corridor runs north–south, with walking and cycling paths connecting a Station Street pocket park to Sir William Fry Reserve. The plan includes landscaped areas such as a dog park and activity lawn, grassy knoll, event lawn, wetlands, and a lake. Recreation features include active recreation space, a skate park, playground, and car parking.

Key nearby landmarks are labelled, including the Former Highett Gasworks site, Moorabbin Magistrates Court, Princess Avenue, Jackson Road, Bay Road, Nepean Highway, and Southland shopping centre. The plan also shows the SRL East Cheltenham precinct, including the future SRL station, station box, and areas of temporary and future works.

Concept only - Station Street pocket park

What we heard

Planting palettes

Most respondents supported or had no concerns with the planting palette
Feedback suggested planting trees along bike paths and near residential areas as buffers and inclusion of native plant species to support local fauna.

Materials palette

Most respondents supported or had no concerns with the materials palette
Feedback requested the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Proposed native vegetation removal

Most respondents did not have feedback on the native vegetation removal
Feedback suggested planting more native vegetation than removed.

Feedback on the updated designs

Ensure the dog park is safely designed for all park users
Ensure the design accommodates people of all ages, from children to seniors
Ensure the design supports accessibility needs
Ensure the reserve is well-lit and has good passive surveillance
Request for adequate amenities including toilets, shade, seating, gathering places, artwork, cycling amenities and sufficient car parking.

Our response

We are minimising impacts to existing trees and fauna as much as possible. We will plant more than 90 trees and enhance more than 9,000sqm of garden beds with new vegetation throughout the reserve. These will be mostly indigenous species and will create new shade cover and support local fauna
Material selection has been guided by the design principles, including sustainability
The new and improved open space includes
- A largely unfenced off-leash dog area similar to existing off leash dog park within the reserve. We will build a fence along the western edge of the off-leash area to delineate from the walking and cycling path. Kingston City Council preferred this solution in line with Council’s guidelines
- Cycle parking and amenities at Station Street pocket park
- New seating
- More spaces for relaxing and socialising
- Inclusive and accessible design with opportunities for future artwork
- A new toilet block
- Adequate car parking for current and future usage
Improvements to Sir William Fry Reserve were chosen in consultation with stakeholders and community. The design has not precluded senior exercise equipment being installed in future
We have undertaken a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design assessment. Feedback has been incorporated into the design to promote safety and good passive surveillance.

Skate park design focus group

In addition to community feedback, a focus group of local skate park users was set up in September 2025 to inform the design.

The focus group feedback has shaped the final skate park design including layout, types of elements and supporting amenities. The final design will cater for various skill levels and riders including skateboarders, scooter riders and BMX riders.

SRL Sir William Fry Public Open Space skate park - Concept only - large bowl as part of new skate park

Out of scope feedback

Some feedback raised broader ideas beyond this stage of design. While these aren't part of the scope of this consultation, they have been noted.

Connection to Lyle Anderson Reserve
Connection between SRL station at Cheltenham and Southland Station
Upgrades to the lake and playground
Size and quality of the new permanent open space. The size and quality required for the replacement open space we're delivering is outlined in the SRL East Public Open Space Framework which was approved as part of the SRL East Environment Effects Statement in 2022.

Next steps

We will keep the community updated about upcoming works, including how works impacts will be managed and opportunities to be involved in the improvements to Sir William Fry Reserve.

Thank you again to everyone who provided feedback. Your insights are essential in shaping the future Sir William Fry Reserve as we deliver SRL East.

Download PDF

SRL Sir William Fry Public Open Space What We heard (PDF 6.4 MB)