The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) is responsible for planning and delivering the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), one of Victoria's Big Build Projects.

About the project

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a 90 km rail line to link every major rail line from the Frankston Line to the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport. 

The first stage of the program is the south-east segment (SRL East Project). This will be from Cheltenham to Box Hill, and includes the following:

  • Creation of 2 bore rail tunnels, each 26 km in length.
  • Six new underground railway stations (Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood, and Box Hill).
  • A stabling facility at Heatherton.
  • Three rail tunnel portals.
  • An electrical substation in the vicinity of the new SRL station.
  • An emergency support facility at Mount Waverly.

The construction of the initial and early works are scheduled to begin in late 2022. The SRL East Project is due for completion in 2035.

EPA’s role in the SRL project

As Victoria's environmental regulator, EPA will assess the project's compliance with the Environment Protection Act 2017 and associated regulations. EPA will undertake enforcement in all phases (early works, construction and operation) of the project as necessary.

EPA will advise the project on matters relating to:

  • air pollution
  • contaminated land
  • surface water and groundwater
  • noise and vibration
  • greenhouse gas emissions and resource efficiency
  • land use and planning
  • human health

Environment Effects Statement (EES) assessment process

The Minister for Planning required an EES assessment for the SRL East Project. This enables statutory decision-makers to make decisions about whether a project with potentially significant environmental effects should proceed. It looks at the project’s potential environmental, social, economic, and planning impacts.

The SRL East Project underwent an EES assessment. The Department of Transport and Planning coordinates the EES process. 

The SRL East Project's EES document is available online.

As part of the process, EPA provided technical and regulatory advice to the project. EPA also participated in the public comment period of this process by making a submission on the assessment, elimination and minimisation of risks of harm to human health and the environment.

 

EPA’s submission is published on Engage Victoria as submission 269. You can download our submission as a PDF (it starts on page 207).

EES outcomes

The process concluded on 5th August 2022. The Minister for Environment and Climate Action stated that the environment effects are manageable, subject to the recommendations. 

The Minister’s assessment is on the Department of Transport and Planning's website under the 'Overview' and 'Documents' tabs.

The project’s Environment Management Framework outlines the governance, risks and mitigation measures for the project.

For more information

Report noise, dust or environmental impacts

If you experience noise, dust or other environmental impacts, please let us know.

     

    Reviewed 6 March 2023