Last updated: 1 October 2026

The Suburban Rain Loop (SRL) is a planned 90km orbital network of underground train stations, to link the existing above-ground radial commuter railway lines. Overseeing this is the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, soon to be merged with Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority (VIDA).

Project Overview

Highett forms a large part of the Precinct declared around the planned Cheltenham SRL station (to be renamed) located under Sir William Fry Reserve, facing Bay Road and Southland Shopping Centre. The first stage, SRL East, from Cheltenham to Box Hill is planned to be operational by 2035-36. Revisions to the planning scheme to revise planning controls and facilitate increased density within the Structure Plan were gazetted in July 2026. Since the original announcement prior to the 2018 State Election, SRL East has evolved into Australia’s largest housing project with potentially 70,000 dwellings to be added across the six Station Precincts.

More information can be found at SRLA/Big Build, City of Kingston or Bayside City Council.

HPA Role

The HPA has not expressed a view on the politically sensitive SRL as either a rail or housing project. We are focussed on seeking the best outcomes for our community on the basis the project proceeds. HPA Committee members joined the Cheltenham Community Reference Group and participated in four meetings in 2024, and now attend quarterly meetings of the Precinct Reference Group (PRG). The HPA has made several written submissions on SRL plans and in November 2025 appeared before the Standing Advisory Committee. That submission may be viewed HERE.

Key Community Concerns

• Loss of public open space, especially Sir William Fry Reserve, as the Precinct population is forecast to double within fifteen years.

• Planning and funding infrastructure to allow densification – including drainage, schools and kindergartens, libraries, health clinics and incremental open space.

• Potential impacts such as road and parking congestion, reduced tree canopy and increased heat islands, and the loss of privacy and access to sunlight on homes and public parks, especially the Highett Grassy Woodland.

• Congestion from the planned narrowing of Bay Road near the Rail Bridge.

• Poor connectivity between the new SRL station and Southland Shopping Centre and Metro station, exacerbated by the August 2026 announcement to scrap the bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Bay Road, previously planned as part of the project.

More information about the Suburban Rail Link (SRL)

 Find out more about the SRL from the following

 Suburban Rail Loop website

 https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/suburban-rail-loop

 Bayside City Council website

 https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/council/projects/suburban-rail-loop