New SRL East plans lay out visions for 70,000 new homes and retail precincts

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority has released new Visions documents for the six new SRL East stations and the nearby retail and hospitality precincts, as well as new housing.

Locals, business owners and commuters from across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have had their say on the six Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East stations, with new Visions documents now available to the public.

Between August 2023 and March 2024, the SRL Authority team conducted public consultation with the impacted communities on the draft Visions for the six new stations - Box Hill, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Monash, Clayton and Cheltenham.

Beyond creating new railway infrastructure, the Visions also outlined the project’s aim to provide more housing for growing populations across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, with the project set to be Australia’s largest housing project to date by delivering about 70,000 new homes by the 2050s.

The Vision for Box Hill now includes more links between Surrey Park, Box Hill Central, Box Hill Gardens and Box Hill Hospital, which will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Other suggestions across the new precincts included giving greater emphasis to the Gardiners Creek corridor in Burwood, diverse housing options in Glen Waverley and a hub for night-time activities in Monash.

SRL East is the first stage of the project being delivered from Cheltenham to Box Hill, with 26 kilometres of twin tunnels connecting six new underground stations.

The first tunnel boring machines would begin tunnelling in 2026 to dig the 26-kilometre twin tunnels to make way for trains to start carrying passengers in 2035.

Draft structure plans, which will include detail on land use and building heights, will go on public exhibition for community input early next year and are expected to be finalised in 2026.