Suburban Rail Loop East Specific Control Overlays

Planning control overlays are commonly used in Victoria to facilitate the delivery and protection of public infrastructure.

SRL East has 2 specific control overlays:

  • Specific Controls Overlay Schedule 14 (SCO14) is a planning control for the design, construction and operation of the 26km underground tunnels, stations and other SRL East infrastructure.
  • Specific Controls Overlay Schedule 15 (SCO15) is a planning control to protect SRL East underground infrastructure from developments that could damage infrastructure if they are not designed appropriately, such as those with deep foundations or multi-level basements.

If your property is affected by SCO15, a planning permit may be required for buildings and works. Please refer below for additional information on SCO15. If a permit under SCO15 is required, you should apply for a planning permit through your local Council (or Responsible Authority) as usual. The Council will facilitate the process and refer relevant applications to Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) for assessment against SCO15 provisions.

If your property is within the SCO15 area, it is recommended you contact us for pre-planning advice if you intend to construct a building or carry out works on land affected by SCO15. This is an opportunity to learn more about SCO15 requirements and ensure these have been considered in your planning application.

Specific Controls Overlay 15 (SCO15)

SCO15 enables property owners and developers to consider underground infrastructure early when designing and delivering future developments.

Specific Controls Overlay 14 (SCO14)

SCO14 is a planning control that authorises the design, construction and operation of the 26km underground tunnels, stations and other infrastructure for SRL East.

SCO14 is only relevant to the development and operation of SRL East and does not require any action from property owners. SCO14 does not introduce new planning permit requirements on property owners or planning permit applicants.

Referrals process

Local Councils work with relevant authorities to facilitate planning applications on behalf of applicants.

Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) is the determining referral authority under Specific Controls Overlay 15 (SCO15). This means Councils will refer relevant applications to SRLA for assessment against SCO15 provisions. A decision will not be made on the planning application until this review has been undertaken.

Applicants are encouraged to take the following steps when preparing and submitting a planning application for properties affected by SCO15.

Consulting with SRLA early in the process helps ensure SCO15 requirements are considered in the planning application prior to submission.

SRLA will adopt the following process in most referral cases.

Steps to plan and lodge a planning application

Pre-planning advice

If you intend to construct a building or carry out works on land affected by SCO15, it is recommended you contact us for pre-planning advice prior to lodging an application to ensure SCO15 requirements have been considered in your application.

There are no fees associated with pre-planning requests.

Contact us for pre-planning advice

General enquiry

If you have a general enquiry in relation to SRL East and SCO15, or you would like initial feedback on your proposal in the concept stage, please contact us.

Email us at infrastructure.protection@srla.vic.gov.au or call us on 1800 105 105.

We will aim to provide a response to general enquiries within 30 days of receiving all information.

Request a meeting with SRLA

If you are preparing a Planning Application and would like detailed feedback on how your proposal, please contact us to arrange a meeting to discuss your application.

Email us at infrastructure.protection@srla.vic.gov.au or call us on 1800 105 105.

Read our Planning application guidelines

We will aim to schedule a meeting within 14 days of receiving all information.

Supporting your enquiry with documents and information

Providing detailed information about your proposal will help us to provide tailored advice in relation to your property and plans.