Victoria is expected to grow to 11.2 million people by 2056 and Greater Melbourne will reach around nine million people – a similar size to London today.
For years, high population growth on Greater Melbourne's expanding urban fringe has been driving many households further from employment centres, leading to longer commutes, increased congestion and more crowded public transport. This pattern of growth risks entrenching disadvantage, with inequitable access to good jobs, services, affordable housing, amenities and recreational opportunities.
SRL addresses these challenges and will slow the unsustainable growth of our urban fringe. Not only will SRL deliver important cross-suburb travel connections between major employment centres, hospitals, universities and retail, it will grow the number of jobs and housing options in the broader SRL Precincts. This will give more Victorians access to employment opportunities, affordable housing and services – all within a short walk from a station.
The city of multiple job centres that will be created by SRL will improve accessibility to employment for 70% of Melbourne’s middle suburbs and for 72% of Melbourne’s outer corridor.
And the creation of ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ means many more Victorians with recreational and open space, schools, shops and cafes, health facilities and transport options within easy walking distance.
Read more about how SRL will achieve this in the SRL Business and Investment Case Key Findings.
