More Public Transport And More Homes For Victorians

Victoria needs more public transport and more homes in the right places and the Suburban Rail Loop will deliver both – with a long-term vision revealed for 70,000 more homes above and around the six SRL East precincts, and expressions of interest opening to build the six state-of-the-art stations below.

In the next stage of engagement on the project, the Allan Labor Government has released proposed ‘key directions’ for how the Suburban Rail Loop precincts can host more jobs, housing and services over time – and offer more choices for the next generation who want to live closer to their family and work.

The key directions outline a clear vision: more transport, more jobs and more homes for Victorians.

To achieve that vision, they propose land use changes and show indicative building heights around the Suburban Rail Loop stations in Box Hill, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Monash, Clayton and Cheltenham.

Overall, the key directions propose taller apartment and office buildings in the ‘precinct core’ – the concentrated commercial areas immediately adjacent to the new stations – and more townhouses and mid-rise apartments alongside existing homes within walking distance of the stations.

The key directions also propose more homes and jobs in existing busy commercial and industrial pockets, including on main streets and near health and education – plus better connections and community spaces for all.

This is about growth over time, not overnight. All up, it’s estimated more than 70,000 additional homes and more than 230,000 additional jobs can be gradually accommodated across the six SRL East precincts by the 2050s.

Proposals are proportionate to what’s happening on the ground now: there are already tall buildings rising above precinct cores and there are already mid-rise apartments alongside existing homes in many residential pockets. Good planning guides this growth into the right places and prevents bad development in the wrong places.

The consultation opening today builds on positive feedback from thousands of Victorians following the release of the Draft SRL Precinct Visions in December. The key directions offer more detail than the precincts and give locals another way to have their say in the development of formal structure plans.

Feedback from the community shaped the key directions. In Box Hill, locals called for Whitehorse Rd and Station St to be more accessible and walkable. The key directions propose a linear park along Whitehorse Rd to enhance this stretch through the heart of Box Hill as a place for families to eat, shop and enjoy open space and playgrounds.

Construction is forging ahead across the project. More than 1,200 people are already working across all sites, and expressions of interest are now open for the two contracts to build the six new underground stations – with the first stations contract to be awarded in 2026.

The Stations North package (to build Box Hill, Burwood and Glen Waverley stations) and Stations South package (to build Monash, Clayton and Cheltenham) will deliver state-of-the-art underground stations fit for a fast-growing city.

The Suburban Rail Loop connects employment, health and education centers across Melbourne’s east and south east, with trains taking passengers from 2035.

It will take 600,000 cars off the road and its stations will be among Victoria’s busiest, with 15,000 passengers expected to pass through Box Hill and Clayton stations every day.

It’s more than a transport project. It’s more than a housing project. It benefits all Victorians by delivering more high-quality homes near transport, jobs and services, more affordable housing choices for kids in the suburbs they grew up in, and less outer suburban sprawl that puts pressure on roads and services.

The local community will be involved every step of the way as part of a proper, long-term planning process. Locals can have their say today on the key directions for Suburban Rail Loop precincts by visiting srleastvisions.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“We have a clear vision: more transport, more jobs and more homes for Victorians.”

“Melbourne is growing fast and with the Suburban Rail Loop we’re making room for thousands of new homes in the right places – close to transport, jobs and services.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop Danny Pearson

“More housing options mean local kids have a better shot of owning a home close to where they grew up.”

“We’ve taken on board years of community feedback and this is just the next step in a detailed and proper planning process that involves locals every step of the way.”