Project overview

The Victorian Government’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a city-shaping project that will transform Melbourne’s public transport system, connecting suburbs and creating opportunities in great places.

Sir William Fry Reserve in Cheltenham on the Bayside/Kingston border has been selected as the location of the SRL anchor station.

Council is providing strong input to the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) to advocate on behalf of the Bayside community. We want to minimise impacts from the construction of the new station and maximise the opportunity to improve sustainable, efficient, and connected public transport across and onward from Bayside.

The first stage of the SRL is the south-east segment from Cheltenham to Box Hill. Initial works for Stage One commenced in 2022, with commissioning of the railway expected by 2035.

The SRLA are currently preparing a draft Precinct Structure Plan for the Cheltenham SRL precinct. It is expected that SRLA will publicly exhibit the draft precinct structure plan and planning scheme amendment for community feedback which is likely to take place in March 2025.

The public exhibition period will provide Council and the community with the ability to make comment on the draft Precinct Structure Plan. Following exhibition, it is anticipated that the SRLA will refer submissions to an Independent Advisory Committee for their review. A public hearing will be held by the Independent Advisory Committee likely to take place in late 2025.

Once the public hearing has been finalised, the Committee will make recommendations to the Minister for Planning on any changes to the project. Whether these changes are incorporated into the planning ordinance and Precinct Structure Plan is at the discretion of the Minister for Planning. The accompanying planning scheme amendment will be approved and gazetted and the final structure plans will apply to all development within the SRL East precincts.

Council’s Suburban Rail Loop Advocacy Action Plan will guide our efforts to advocate on behalf of the Bayside community alongside our Position Paper and key submissions we’ve made to date which can be found in the Document Library.

Our Advocacy Action Plan outlines the positive outcomes Council is seeking for the Bayside community from the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Stage One: Cheltenham to Box Hill.

The plan will be reviewed throughout the different stages to ensure actions remain relevant for the life of the project. The plan outlines the focus of Council’s effort, actions and engagement.

Council will seek to work with the City of Kingston, Suburban Rail Loop Authority, Department of Transport and Planning as well as other relevant government agencies, organisations and the community to achieve positive outcomes for Bayside.

The advocacy priorities are aligned with the Community Vision 2050 and Council adopted Strategic Plans and Policies.