Suburban Rail Loop
Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (19:31): (1527) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, and the action I seek is for the minister to visit Burwood with me to inspect the progress of the Suburban Rail Loop East station and discuss its positive impacts not only for the local community but for people who reside in my region. The new SRL station at Burwood will provide a long-awaited direct train connection to Deakin University, enhancing the access for students and staff while opening up improved transport options for local residents. The station will feature a 94-metre-long platform with central escalators, ensuring efficient passenger movement. A dedicated pedestrian overpass will connect the station to the northern side of the Burwood Highway and Deakin University, improving access and safety. The station precinct will include ticketing and customer facilities, potential retail tenancies and central operations infrastructure. Additionally, the area will benefit from a dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone with 11 bays, a new bus interchange on Sinnott Street and 750 bike parking spaces. A 3-metre-wide shared cycling path will connect Gardiners Creek Trail to Bennettswood Reserve, with a cycle crossing at Burwood Highway linking to Deakin University.
Importantly, the SRL East project will support vibrant local communities, delivering 70,000 additional homes and 230,000 new jobs across all station precincts. Draft structure plans and planning scheme amendments shaped by extensive public consultation involving nearly 10,000 submissions are now open for feedback. These plans aim to ensure development projects encourage sunlight over parks and inviting streetscapes and foster thriving neighbourhoods like Burwood. With construction progressing across all six station sites and tunnel-boring machines arriving later this year, I believe the minister’s visit to Burwood with me would provide valuable insights into this transformative project. I urge the minister to join me onsite to see firsthand how SRL East will enhance connectivity and community outcomes in Burwood and beyond.