Planning approvals

How community and stakeholder feedback shaped the plans

SRL East will do more than build a new rail line – it will help create better neighbourhoods for the decades ahead. Feedback has been instrumental in shaping the final plans.

Community and stakeholder feedback has directly influenced changes to the final plans across all 6 SRL East neighbourhoods.
People told us what mattered most to them – building heights, open space, walking and cycling connections, community facilities, parking and land use.

This feedback has helped refine the plans, so they better respond to local character, neighbourhood and community needs.
In response to what we heard, the final documents include changes to heights, transitions, shadowing, strategic sites, pedestrian links and public open space.

This is about meeting the needs of a growing population while protecting the places and qualities communities value most.

What’s changed?

The updated plans support more homes within walking distance of the new stations, and close to transport, jobs and services.

They also include improvements to tree planting and vegetation, important protections for sunlight and access to open space.

Feedback has led to:

Better height outcomes for more liveable neighbourhoods
Stronger protection for parks, reserves and open space
More trees, more shade and greener streets
Clearer plans for the community facilities people need
A stronger funding pathway to deliver local infrastructure
A stronger focus on delivering affordable housing

Read more about how feedback has shaped planning outcomes linewide and for each neighbourhood.

More thoughtful building heights:

The plans now better place height in the right locations.
In a number of sensitive areas, building heights have been reduced.
This will help new development sit more comfortably with surrounding neighbourhoods.

Better protection for open space:

The plans now place greater emphasis on protecting existing parks and reserves.
More work has been done to plan for new open space where it is needed.
Stronger controls will also help protect sunlight and keep open spaces usable.

More trees and greener streets:

Tree canopy targets have been strengthened across all station areas.
The plans now include clearer requirements to keep existing trees where possible.
This will help create greener streets, better shade and cooler neighbourhoods.

Stronger planning for community facilities and new open spaces:

The plans are now clearer on on the process for identifying community infrastructure needed to support growth.
This includes more direction on the scale, location and delivery of public open space and facilities such as libraries, community hubs and local services.
Councils remain central to helping shape and deliver this infrastructure.

A clear path to fund infrastructure:

Each neighbourhood will now be supported by an Infrastructure Contributions Plan
This gives greater certainty on funding contributions towards infrastructure needed for growth.
It also makes clearer what development contributions can help deliver.

Safer, easier walking and cycling:

The plans now provide stronger direction for walking and cycling connections.
This includes clearer guidance on bike corridors, pedestrian links and safer crossings.
The aim is to make it easier for people to move around without always relying on the car.

Local walking and cycling connections reviewed and refined:

In some places, local links have been removed or clarified after further review.
We are working with councils on a framework to help deliver important links over time.
This helps keep connections practical and deliverable as neighbourhoods change.

Parking will be kept under review:

The plans now include a commitment to review parking settings every 5 years.
This will help keep parking arrangements in step with changing travel patterns.
It recognises the importance of park, while supporting more walking, cycling and public transport.

More support for affordable housing:

The public benefit uplift framework has been updated to place a stronger focus on affordable housing.
This helps direct affordable housing to where it is most needed.
It also supports a more targeted approach to deliver public benefit

Heights at the former Highett Gasworks site were reduced from 60 metres to a range between 43 to 52 metres (only adjacent Nepean Highway), responding to community concerns.
Height transitions east of Southland, particularly around Chesterville Road, were refined to create a a more appropriate transition to residential areas.
The planning documents have secured a site for a community hub as part of the master plan for the Southland Shopping Centre site.
The open space contribution at the former Highett Gasworks site has been increased for more community open space.
Pedestrian links within the structure plan area have been strengthened, with further work to support delivery of local and key links.
Overshadowing controls have been strengthened throughout the area, including to Pennydale Park and Lyle Anderson Reserve, to better protect winter sunlight.

The building heights around the new station were changed to introduce a range of heights, allowing some taller buildings in specific locations. Building heights have been adjusted to align with helicopter flight paths accessing the Monash Medical Centre.
Overshadowing controls have been strengthened in sensitive locations, including the Remembrance Gardens, to protect winter sunlight.
The structure plan has been changed to clarify that on-street parking will be retained on Clayton Road, south of the rail line, subject to detailed design.
Strategic sites now include the City Timber site and adjoining land.
Land fronting North Road, west of Clayton Road, has been changed to now apply the Residential Growth Zone instead of the Mixed Use Zone to promote more housing.

Building heights have been reduced to promote campus-style development in the employment growth neighbourhood (from 10 storeys to 8 storeys) and health innovation neighbourhood (from 8 storeys to 6 storeys), to the north and east of Monash University.
Blackburn Road has been added as a strategic cycling corridor.
A new area to be considered for future open space has been included at 700 Blackburn Road to support greater access to public open space.
The updated plan better supports Monash’s role as a major jobs, health and education precinct.
Overshadowing protection has been strengthened to better protect winter sunlight for local parks including Samada Street Reserve, Berrydale Court Reserve and Cambro Road Reserve.
Pedestrian connections have been clarified, with duplicated links removed and existing links retained, including around Notting Hill.

Building heights were reduced in sensitive areas, including Kinnoull Grove and Lakeview Court.
Overshadowing controls have been strengthened for the SRL station new public open space, library forecourt and controls protecting winter sunlight access for Bogong Reserve, Yanigin Reserve, Jordon Grove Reserve and Mount Street Neighbourhood House.
Land along High Street Road and Waverley Road has been changed to now apply the Residential Growth Zone instead of the Mixed Use Zone, to promote more housing.
SRLA will work with Monash City Council to develop an on-street parking management policy to support the changes in the neighbourhood and accessibility levels
Further assessment will consider whether some car parking can be removed on Kingsway to improve pedestrian amenity.
The Department of Transport and Planning will also plan further upgrades to the Glen Waverley bus interchange.

Building heights were reduced in sensitive locations along Gardiners Creek, including the Station Development Area, and in specific locations along Highbury Road and Elgar Road Fletcher Parade and Cropley Court.
The Greenwood Business Park site has a masterplan which secures the delivery of 4,000 square metres of open space.
An upgraded crossing on Highbury Road improves pedestrian connectivity along the creek corridor.
A new Gardiners Creek (Kooyongkoot) master plan will coordinate and sequence transport, biodiversity, flooding and public open space actions.
The building design approach around the creek was refined to ensure access to sunlight during the middle of winter.
Further planning will assess if existing open space needs improvement, including Lundgren Reserve.
Bennettswood Reserve was removed as a potential location for the proposed community hub.
The updated plan better balances housing growth with creek protection, open space and safer movement

Building form controls were refined so buildings do not appear as continuous walls from the street or nearby vantage points.
Whitehorse Road Linear Reserve now has planning controls which protect spring equinox access to sunlight, provided to the reserve through the middle of the day.
Overshadowing controls were strengthened to focus on winter sunlight throughout the precinct. These include Ashted Road Reserve, Graham Bend Park, Victoria Rose Reserve, Glenmore Reserve, Surrey Park, Brougham Street Reserve and Surrey Drive Reserve. An upgraded crossing has been included on Station Street to help improve connectivity and support completion of the Hawthorn to Ringwood bike path.
A new crossing on Station Street is proposed to improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity and accessibility via Howard Street and Ashted Road.
Land use changes from Mixed Use Zone to Residential Growth Zone along Whitehorse Road and Station Street to promote more housing.

Planning approvals

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority must prepare certain plans and strategies as part of meeting approval conditions. These documents may be amended over the life of the SRL East, to the satisfaction of the Minister, with the most up to date version provided via the relevant links below.

SRL East rail infrastructure

Approvals for SRL East rail infrastructure were informed by an Environment Effects Statement (EES), Victoria’s most comprehensive planning and environmental assessment process. Approved by the Minister for Planning in late 2022, the EES and related planning scheme amendments enable the delivery of the new underground stations, rail tunnels and supporting infrastructure.

SRL East precinct planning

The structure plans and related planning scheme amendments for the neighbourhoods around the new SRL East stations were approved by the Minister for Planning in June 2026. These plans will guide how these areas grow over time, while enabling more homes, jobs, services and infrastructure in the right places.

SRL East EES key documents

Planning scheme amendment

Planning Scheme Amendment GC197 (the amendment) was gazetted in September 2022 and amended the Bayside, Kingston, Monash and Whitehorse Planning Scheme to enable land to be used to build and operate SRL East (project land). The project land is identified by a planning control called Specific Control Overlay (SCO) 14. The SRL East Incorporated Document (incorporated document) sets out the conditions for the design, construction and operation of SRL East on land within the extent of SCO14.

The amendment also applied a different planning control called SCO15 to ensure underground tunnel infrastructure is protected from development that is not designed appropriately. A planning permit may be required for buildings and works on land within the SCO15 as set out in the SRL East Infrastructure Protection Incorporated Document.

These planning controls may be amended from time to time with the most recently approved versions provided at the relevant links above.

Surface and tunnel plans

SRL East must be designed and constructed generally in accordance with the approved SRL East Surface and Tunnel Plans

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 train stabling facility, power substations and emergency support facility.

Environmental management

The SRL East Environmental Management Framework (EMF) provides an overarching framework to address all environmental requirements and includes over 100 Environmental Performance Requirements (EPRs). The EPRs cover a range of aspects including air quality, noise and vibration, landscape and visual impacts and are the conditions the project must meet for design, construction and operation.

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.

The Public Open Space Framework (POSF)Framework sets out principles and actions to mitigate impacts on passive, active and planned community open space during construction and operation of rail infrastructure.

Urban design

The SRL East Urban Design Strategy (UDS) will guide the design of the stations and rail infrastructure. It is designed to maximise SRL East’s positive contribution to the surrounding precincts and ensure final designs delivers enhanced outcomes for local communities.

Prior to the development of the permanent above ground components of buildings (including final built form, permanent roads and public realm, pedestrian and cycle routes and permanent bus and tram interchanges) Urban Design and Landscape Plans (UDLP) will be prepared to the satisfaction of the Minister. The UDLPs must be in accordance with the UDS. You can view a copy of the approved UDLPs below:

Residents and business support

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.

SRLA is proactively working to reduce and manage construction impacts on business and residents and will assist businesses to continue to operate. These measures are set out in the:

Residential Support Guidelines outline proactive measures and support services that SRLA and its appointed contractors may deliver during the construction of SRL East.
Business Disruption Mitigation Framework alongside the Business Support Guidelines outline the types of support available to eligible businesses.

Cultural heritage

SRL East is within the boundary of two registered aboriginal parties (RAPs) with the northern section of SRL East within the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWCHAC) boundary and the southern portion falls within Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation’s (BLCAC) responsibility.

Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) have been approved by WWCHAC and BLCAC and SRL East will be delivered in compliance with the conditions of the CHMPs. The CHMPs will be amended from time to time subject to approval from the RAPs.

Project area designation

SRL East was declared a major transport project under section 95 of the Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act, 2009 (MTPFA) for the purposes of project delivery. Plans showing the original MTPFA 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:

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 Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop has declared ‘Suburban Rail Loop planning areas’ under section 65(1) of the Suburban Rail Loop Act 2021 described in the Planning Area Plan. SRLA is a Planning Authority under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 for these planning areas.

The declared planning areas include 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, SRLA can prepare and exhibit planning scheme amendments. Local councils also remain a Planning Authority for these areas, as well as the balance of their municipalities. They also remain Responsible Authorities responsible for assessment and decisions on planning permit applications.

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.

SRL East structure planning key documents

After consultation with local councils, the structure planning boundaries for the areas around the 6 new SRL East stations were confirmed.

You can download the Structure Planning Boundary maps here:

SRLA has prepared Guidelines to guide the preparation and assessment of structure plans within these structure plan areas. View the Guidelines for the preparation of Structure Plans.

Structure plans and implementation plans for SRL East neighbourhoods set out a shared vision and 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.

The process was informed by an independent review by the SRL East Precincts Standing Advisory Committee (SAC), which held public hearings and provided advice to the Minister for Planning.

Together with community feedback, expert advice and further analysis, this process helped shape the final structure plans and implementation plans.

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority also worked closely with councils and government agencies throughout the process and will continue to do so to help ensure precinct delivery responds to local needs.

SRL East Clayton Structure Plan
SRL East Clayton Implementation Plan

The Minister for Planning has approved 6 planning scheme amendments for SRL East Precincts:

Notice of the approval has been published in the Victorian Government Gazette, which means future development proposals in these amendment areas will now be assessed under the updated planning controls.

The Uplift Framework is a voluntary framework applicable in specific locations in the SRL East Precincts aimed at increasing supply of affordable housing. The framework allows proponents to apply to increase the floor area of a development in exchange for delivering affordable housing. Affordable housing as a public benefit must be agreed by the Minister for Planning.

Click here to view the Voluntary Public Benefit Uplift Framework document.

How community and stakeholder feedback shaped the plans

What’s changed?

Planning approvals

SRL East rail infrastructure

SRL East precinct planning

SRL East EES key documents

SRL East structure planning key documents

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