It sets a bold target of delivering 800,000 new homes over a decade.
But where these homes are built matters.
That’s why we’re planning for more homes in and around 60 train and tram zones across Melbourne, encouraging capacity for 300,000 new homes by 2051.
Building homes near public transport increases connectivity and reduces congestion.
And The SRL opens up new opportunities to deliver housing close to transport, jobs and services.
For example, consider London’s Elizabeth line: in just 3 years of operation, it added an estimated £42 billion to the UK economy – more than 80 billion Australian dollars. Housing growth has increased near Elizabeth Line stations, with 71,000 new homes built within a kilometre of a new station over the past decade, and another 70,500 homes in the pipeline. As well, 125,000 new jobs were registered in the same areas from 2022-2023.
More people are now using public transport, with an extra 71,000 trips a day on the network.
The SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill is already under construction and will deliver 6 underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill. Tunnelling starts next year, and trains will take passengers in 2035. As Australia’s largest housing project, The SRL will help deliver 70,000 new homes in the neighbourhoods around the 6 new underground stations, with a diverse mix of townhouses, apartments and affordable housing.
But The SRL’s benefits extend beyond Melbourne. Regional rail services will connect to The SRL at transport super hubs in Clayton, and in Sunshine and Broadmeadows, when The SRL North is complete. For example, families in Gippsland will save 31 minutes travelling from Traralgon to Box Hill by changing at Clayton, compared to travelling all the way in and out of the CBD.
Regional passenger movements at the Clayton super hub are forecast to reach up to 7,000 per day. More than 40% of regional passengers approaching Melbourne from the Gippsland corridor will alight at Clayton.
The SRL precincts will improve liveability, create jobs and attract more residents and visitors. It is a project for all Victorians, but those properties closest to the project will experience the most direct benefits.
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