Planning approvals

Planning approvals for rail infrastructure for SRL East in Victoria were informed by an Environment Effects Statement (EES) – Victoria’s most comprehensive and transparent planning and environmental assessment process.

Separately, we’re planning now to ensure areas around SRL East stations will be ready to meet the needs of our growing city. Structure plans for the areas around new SRL East stations will provide a framework for how areas around the new stations will grow and change over time, while protecting and preserving the features people love about them now.

Key approval documents

Key approvals for SRL East are now in place following the Minister’s assessment of the EES. These approvals include a planning scheme amendment, the SRL East Incorporated Document, project area designation, surface and tunnel plans and cultural heritage management plans.

Planning scheme amendment

A draft planning scheme amendment (GC197) was exhibited with the SRL East EES.

The draft planning scheme amendment proposed changes to the planning schemes for Bayside, Kingston, Monash and Whitehorse so land can be used to build SRL East.

The Minister released the assessment of the EES in August 2022 and approved the planning scheme amendment (GC197) in September 2022.

You can view the approved amendment on the Department of Transport and Planning website.

Specific Control Overlays

To facilitate the delivery and protection of SRL East rail infrastructure, specific planning control overlays have been applied to relevant parcels of land associated with the Project Area of SRL East. You can view Gazette S515 (30 September 2022) on the Victorian Government Gazette website (PDF 1.7MB).

Surface and tunnel plans

As part of the Incorporated Document in the Bayside, Kingston, Monash and Whitehorse Planning Schemes, SRL East Surface and Tunnel Plans were also approved by the Minister.

These plans outline core elements of the project, including the location of station boxes, underground tunnels and cross passages, as well as surface infrastructure including the stabling facility, power substations and emergency support facility.

The SRL East Incorporated Document authorises and regulates the construction and operation of these elements of the project generally in accordance with the SRL East Surface and Tunnel Plans.

The SRL East Surface and Tunnel Plans have been updated in line with recommendations from the Minister’s assessment of the SRL East EES. This includes some recommendations put forward by stakeholders during the EES process now included in the project design.

View the SRL East Surface and Tunnel Plans (PDF 49MB).

Project area designation

SRL East has also been declared a major transport project under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation (MTPF) Act 2009 for the purposes of project delivery.

You can view Gazette S 530 on the Victorian Government Gazette website. Plans showing the original MTPF Act Project Area Designation for SRL East can be viewed here: MTPF Act Designated Project Area (PDF 5MB).

The Designated Project Area for SRL East has subsequently been varied to include additional areas. Gazettals and plans relating to these variations are linked below:

Variation of the designated Project Area – Special Gazette S252 (22 May 2024) (PDF 1.7MB); Plan – Variation to MTPFA Designated Project Area (PDF 1MB).

Any variation plans must be read together with the original designation plan to fully describe the designated project area for the project.

Planning area declaration

The Suburban Rail Loop Act 2021 empowers the Minister for SRL to declare an area of land to be an ‘SRL planning area’. Once gazetted, the declaration makes Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) a Planning Authority under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

The declared planning areas take into account promising locations for future housing and business development with the borders generally following natural features such as major roads and highways, parks and waterways and municipal boundaries.

As a Planning Authority within these declared areas, SRLA can prepare and exhibit planning scheme amendments. Local councils remain Responsible Authorities for these municipalities and will continue to assess and decide on planning permit applications.

You can view the declared SRL planning areas in Gazettes S 20231207 on the Victorian Government Gazette and the Planning Area Plan (PDF 15.9MB).

Environmental management

In October 2022, the Minister approved the SRL East Environmental Management Framework (EMF) including the final conditions the project must meet for design, construction and operation.

There are more than 100 EPRs for SRL East covering a range of aspects including air quality, noise and vibration, and landscape and visual impacts.

The EMF provides an overarching framework to address all environmental requirements and manage environmental outcomes for SRL East rail infrastructure.

Cultural heritage

Separate to the SRL East EES process, 2 Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) were prepared to assess the potential impacts to Aboriginal cultural heritage and manage how heritage can be best protected.

To identify Aboriginal heritage in the project area, investigations were undertaken with Aboriginal Victoria and Traditional Owners Groups, including Registered Aboriginal Parties.

CHMPs include the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (CHMP No.18257) and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CHMP No.18258).

Urban design

The SRL East Urban Design Strategy (UDS) was exhibited with the SRL East EES and approved in October 2022.

The SRL East UDS will guide the design of rail infrastructure to be delivered by the project.

SRL East will feature world-class architecture and urban and landscape design that celebrates the rich heritage and history of Melbourne’s east and south east.

The SRL East UDS is designed to maximise the project’s positive contribution to the surrounding precincts and ensure the project’s final design delivers enhanced outcomes for local communities.

The SRL East Urban Design Strategy has been updated in line with recommendations from the Minister’s assessment of the SRL East EES. This includes some recommendations put forward by stakeholders during the EES process now included in the project design.

View the SRL East Urban Design Strategy

View the Box Hill Tram Terminus Urban Design Landscape Plan

Open space

SRLA is committed to minimising impacts on people and places during both the construction and operation of SRL East. This includes ensuring local communities have access to quality public open spaces and can continue to enjoy exercise, play and social experiences among nature and greenery.

Mitigation measures identified in SRL East EES include the development of a Public Open Space Framework (POSF). The Framework sets out principles and actions to mitigate impacts on passive, active and planned community open space during construction and operation of rail infrastructure.

You can read more about the SRL East Public Open Space Framework.

Community and businesses support

SRLA is committed to minimising the project’s impacts on people and places during the construction and operation of SRL East.

The SRL East Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Management Framework establishes the overarching approach for engaging with stakeholders and communities throughout the project and outlines SRLA’s processes for handling enquiries and complaints.

Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs) have been put in place to proactively reduce and manage impacts on businesses and residents.

The Residential Support Guidelines outline proactive measures and support services that SRLA and its appointed contractors may deliver during the construction of SRL East.

SRLA recognises the need to help businesses continue to operate during the construction of rail infrastructure for SRL East.

A Business Disruption Mitigation Framework has been developed alongside the Business Support Guidelines which outline the types of support available to eligible businesses.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act referral

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 is the Commonwealth Government’s central piece of environmental legislation.

The EPBC Act provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora and fauna, ecological communities and heritage places.

A referral was submitted under the EPBC Act outlining matters of national environmental significance. Related documents can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website by searching for referral number 2021/9101.

In January 2022, the Commonwealth Government decided SRL East would not be a controlled action or require further approval under the EPBC Act.

Key approval documents

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