My question is for the Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop. How will the partnership between the state and federal Labor governments in delivering the Suburban Rail Loop benefit the residents of the Glen Waverley district? In a recent announcement the federal government delivered on their 2022 election commitment by providing $2.2 billion in funding towards the Suburban Rail Loop. It is so important that we have a partner in Canberra who actually knows where Victoria is and, for my constituents, a partner who values the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. For far too long Victoria has been short-changed of our fair share of GST and infrastructure funding, but I am glad to see that positive steps are being taken to build city-reforming projects. I am excited to see the continuing progress of the construction of the Suburban Rail Loop, and I look forward to the minister’s response.
Minister’s Response:
I thank the Member for Glen Waverley for his question and his ongoing advocacy for this city-shaping project.
Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) will not only transform our public transport network, but as Australia’s biggest housing project, it will deliver 70,000 houses and specifically, the housing supply and diversity suburbs like Glen Waverley need, to grow in the decades to come.
By partnering with the Commonwealth Government to deliver SRL now, we are ensuring our city is well equipped with affordable homes, transport connections, jobs and economic activity to cater for future generations so that future generations can live close to services and people they love.
Work is well underway on SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill, including to deliver the new underground station at Glen Waverley. The new SRL East station at Glen Waverley will be one of the most well-connected stations on the metropolitan network, connecting more people to the vibrant retail and hospitality area and providing better access to universities, jobs and hospitals. More than 7,000 people will use the station daily, with a journey from Glen Waverley to Monash University taking just 3.5 minutes.
As you well understand, the new SRL East Station at Glen Waverley will be one of the most well-connected stations on the metropolitan network, providing faster and more convenient access to the vibrant retail and hospitality area as well as quick journeys to universities, employment and hospitals to the north and south.
SRL East also presents an opportunity to attract more people, businesses and investments to the areas around the new SRL East stations, generating more jobs and importantly delivering more housing choices closer to where people want to work and live. Jobs in Glen Waverley will double by the 2050s, with construction of SRL East creating up to 8,000 direct jobs.
The Commonwealth Government has made it clear it supports SRL with its $2.2 billion contribution and we look forward to the ongoing partnership between the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments to deliver the transport and housing benefits that SRL will bring to Glen Waverley and beyond.
Hon Harriet Shing MP
Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop
Minister for Housing and Building
Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts
