The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) 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 Suburban Rail Loop is a major Victorian Government project of significance that supports several key principles underpinning Plan Melbourne, in particular:

• A globally connected and competitive city
• A city of centres
• Social and economic participation
• Infrastructure investment that supports balanced city growth.

The first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop project will be the south-east segment from Cheltenham to Box Hill. Initial works for Stage One are expected to commence in 2022 with commissioning of the rail component expected by 2035.

Suburban Rail Loop Stage One includes the following key components:

• Twin rail tunnels between Cheltenham and Box Hill, via a stabling yard in Heatherton.
• Six new underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood, and Box Hill.

The new station at Cheltenham is to be located at Sir William Fry Reserve. The Cheltenham Suburban Rail Loop Station will connect to established retail and hospitality facilities, including Southland Shopping Centre and the Southland railway station along the Frankston Line.

The City of Bayside, Suburban Rail Loop Project: Advocacy Action Plan, seeks to guide Council’s advocacy efforts to the Victorian Government throughout the different planning and delivery phases of Stage One of the Suburban Rail Loop project.

The Advocacy Action Plan is aligned with the Community Vision 2050 and adopted Council Strategic Plans and Policies and is to be reviewed throughout the different phases of the project to ensure actions remain relevant and support the delivery of a fit for purpose approach for the life of the project.

The Advocacy Action Plan seeks to provide clarity on where to focus effort, what actions to undertake and who to engage.

We’re engaging with the Bayside community and stakeholders to understand community views on the Plan’s key advocacy objectives and actions.

While the Suburban Rail Loop station and tunnel are not located within Bayside, a project of this magnitude is a catalyst for urban renewal. The infrastructure investment brings a myriad of opportunities for businesses, economic, environmental, and social wellbeing outcomes.

However, a project of this nature also brings complex issues that may affect the liveability Bayside’s built, social, natural, and economic environments throughout the life of the project.

Anticipated impacts of the project to Bayside residents include:

• Loss of vegetation at Sir William Fry Reserve (Bayside residents are users)
• Loss of existing open space and skate park at Sir William Fry Reserve (Bayside residents are users)
• Amenity impacts during construction including:
  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Traffic movements

• To understand community views/sentiment on the key advocacy objectives and actions included in the draft Advocacy Action Plan.
• Any additional advocacy actions.

• The advocacy objectives and actions in relation to the Suburban Rail Loop Project as it relates to the Cheltenham SRL Station to be located at Sir William Fry Reserve, including:
  • the delivery of improvements
  • infrastructure provision
  • management of impacts during construction
  • objectives to guide the future of the precinct

• Station location
• Scope of Suburban Rail loop project

This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.

Impact: What level of change will the stakeholder / community segment experience as a result of the project/matter

Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated

Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum.

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

The unpredictable impact of COVID-19 restricts our ability for drop-in sessions, as well as slower distribution of mail.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Email notification to Have Your Say members
• Council website news item and e-newsletter, This Week in Bayside
• Social media, especially sponsored posts to specific target audiences
• Letter/flyer to properties located near project site(s)

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Online engagement through Have Your Say, including opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback
• Printed survey and consultation materials available upon request

A second phase of community consultation will occur following preparation of the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and a Precinct Structure Plan for the Cheltenham SRL Station by the Victorian Government Suburban Rail Loop Authority.

This is anticipated to occur in late 2021. To receive updates on this project, press the blue ‘subscribe’ button at the top of the page.

Council is expected to consider the Advocacy Action Plan alongside the findings of the community engagement at the October 2021 Council meeting.

The Stage One Advocacy Action Plan will guide advocacy opportunities with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, state and federal agencies and representatives during the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) and Precinct Structure Plan process and will be further updated to align with the relevant project stages up to 2035.

A second phase of community consultation will occur following preparation of the EES and a Precinct Structure Plan for the Cheltenham SRL Station by the Victorian Government Suburban Rail Loop Authority.

The agenda for the Council meeting, including a community engagement report and the proposed Advocacy Action Plan, will be published on 19 October 2021 via Council's website. Project subscribers will be notified of the results of the engagement and at this time.

The Council meeting will be live streamed via Council’s website. Interested members of the community can ask a question of this meeting or request to be heard.

Subscribe for updates on this project.

If you would like more information please contact Juliana Aya, Acting Manager Sustainability and Transport, on 9599 4634 or jaya@bayside.vic.gov.au.