Melbourne’s middle suburbs are set for a transport revolution. The Victorian government’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is an ambitious orbital train project designed to transform the city’s public transport network, connecting key health, education, retail, and employment precincts. The 26-kilometre SRL East, the first stage of the 90-kilometre loop, will run from Cheltenham to Box Hill, with six new underground stations bringing thousands of residents and workers closer to jobs, services, and each other.

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Key Points

1. SRL East will link Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood, and Box Hill via twin tunnels.
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2. Initial works began in 2022, with major construction, tunnelling, and station works underway.
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3. The project will ease congestion on Melbourne’s radial network and improve cross-suburb connections.
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4. SRL is expected to create up to 20,000 jobs during construction, including 2,000 apprentices, trainees, and cadets.
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5. Funding for SRL East is planned as one-third state investment, one-third value capture from developments (eg taxes), and one-third federal contribution.
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6. The project is designed to support Melbourne’s growth to 8 million people by 2051.

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Project Significance

The Suburban Rail Loop is more than a transport project – it’s a blueprint for Melbourne’s future. By connecting middle suburbs without requiring travel through the CBD, the SRL will transform how people live, work, and move across the city. Improved accessibility will stimulate housing and commercial development, boost local economies, and create new employment hubs.

For regional Victorians, the SRL promises better access to education, healthcare, and jobs through three transport superhubs at Clayton, Broadmeadows, and Sunshine. It also sets the stage for a long-term infrastructure pipeline, with benefits extending far beyond the first stage.

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Further Details: Building Melbourne’s Future Transport Network

SRL East will feature six new underground stations: Cheltenham (near Southland Shopping Centre), Clayton (regional transport superhub), Monash (first rail connection to Monash University), Glen Waverley (central to the activity centre), Burwood (access for Deakin University), and Box Hill (integrated with existing station, retail, and health services).

The project will be delivered in stages over several decades. The full construction phase is expected to generate up to 20,000 jobs, including apprenticeships and opportunities for trainees and cadets.

SRL will transform Melbourne’s transport network by easing congestion, reducing reliance on the CBD, and connecting middle suburbs to education, employment, retail, and health services. Regional commuters will benefit through superhubs at Clayton, Broadmeadows, and Sunshine, improving access to key services.

Beyond transport, the SRL is expected to stimulate housing, commercial development, and economic growth along the corridor, creating new employment hubs and vibrant local precincts. The project aligns with Melbourne’s projected growth to 8 million residents by 2051, offering long-term infrastructure benefits and reshaping the city’s urban landscape for generations.