Status
On this page:
Background
Please note
This project was known previously as Suburban Rail Loop – Stage One, and it has since been updated to Suburban Rail Loop East. This includes references made to “Stage One” in the documents on this page.
Background
Proponent: Suburban Rail Loop Authority
The Suburban Rail Loop is a new 90-kilometre rail line that will connect Melbourne’s metropolitan train lines from the Frankston Line in the east to the Werribee Line in the west. The first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop program is the south-east segment from Cheltenham to Box Hill.
Suburban Rail Loop East includes the following key components:
- twin rail tunnels between Cheltenham and Box Hill
- six new stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill with interchanges to existing railway stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley and Box Hill
- a stabling facility in Heatherton including a train wash, maintenance facilities and operational control centre.
Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) is managing the Project on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Minister's assessment
On 5 August 2022, the Minister for Environment and Climate Action (as Minister jointly administering the Environment Effects Act) issued her assessment under the Environment Effects Act 1978. This concludes the environment effects statement (EES) process for this project. The assessment has been provided to the SRLA, as the proponent, the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop and statutory decision-makers to inform decisions on this project.
The Minister’s assessment concludes that the environment effects can be acceptably managed, subject to recommendations made by the Minister.
Public review and Inquiry
Inquiry and Advisory Committee
The Suburban Rail Loop East Inquiry and Advisory Committee (the IAC) was appointed by the former Minister for Planning on 14 November 2021 under the Environment Effects Act and the Planning and Environment Act 1987 to consider the EES, draft planning scheme amendment and public submissions and inquire into the environmental effects of the proposal.
Exhibition of the EES and draft planning scheme amendment
The environment effects statement (EES), and the draft planning scheme amendment GC197, was released for public comment for a period of 30 business days, from Friday 5 November 2021 to 11.59 pm Thursday 16 December 2021.
View the EES, draft Planning Scheme Amendment and any related documents
Submissions have now closed. View submissions received on the EES and draft Planning Scheme Amendment at Engage Victoria.
EES preparation
Consultation plan
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority has prepared a communication and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES. The plan was refined following advice from DELWP and the Technical Reference Group and is published on this web page. Updates will also be uploaded here. The consultation process may be adapted or modified to meet changing community needs and requirements.
Technical reference group
The Department has convened an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.
The government organisations represented on the technical reference group are:
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning - Impact Assessment
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning - Port Phillip Region
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning – Planning
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning – Environment and Climate Change
- Department of Health
- Department of Transport
- First Peoples - State Relations
- Heritage Victoria
- Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Victorian Planning Authority
- Melbourne Water
- Environment Protection Authority
- City of Bayside
- City of Kingston
- City of Monash
- City of Whitehorse.
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the environment effects statement (EES).
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were on public exhibition from 26 March to 19 April 2021.
After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in July 2021.
On the 1 July 2021, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation Registered Aboriginal Party boundary was varied and as a result encompasses a portion of the Suburban Rail Loop East project land. The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation has subsequently been included within the TRG.
Section 4.10 of the Final scoping requirements should be read to include the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Amendment to Public Works Order
Owing to minor refinements to the scope of the initial works, the Suburban Rail Loop Authority requested that the Minister for Planning consider amending the Public Works Order that was made under section 3(1) of the Environment Effects Act for the Suburban Rail Loop East (the Order).
On 5 August 2021, the Minister for Planning amended the Order and a statement of the Minister’s Reasons for the amendment has been prepared.
The initial works, which are excluded from the public works, are described in Schedule 1 of the Order. These works can proceed prior to the EES process concluding, subject to any approvals that may be required.
Minister's decision on referral
On 11 November 2020, Suburban Rail Loop Authority provided the Minister for Planning with a Project Outline to inform a decision on whether to declare the project described in the Project Outline to be 'public works' for the purposes of section 3(1) of the Environment Effects Act.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority also provided the Minister for Planning an Initial Works Impact Assessment and Approvals Report to inform a decision on whether to exclude initial works from the declaration of public works.
On 20 December 2020, the Minister for Planning declared the works proposed for the Suburban Rail Loop East as public works requiring an environment effects statement (EES), including community consultation and an independent panel review to inform the Minister's Assessment and decision-making. The Order was since amended in August 2021.
The works to be excluded from the public works order are specified in Schedule 1 of the order.
In accordance with normal EES practice, a statement of the Minister's Reasons for Order has been prepared.
Project contact
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
Suburban Rail Loop East
Suburban Rail Loop Authority
☎ Phone: 1800 105 105
✉ Email: contact@srla.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 26/06/24