Council continues talks with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Published on 02 September 2020
Council is continuing to talk with the Suburban Rail Authority (SRLA) about future plans for the location of the station in Glen Waverley and has deferred the design of the proposed mixed-use Montclair Car Park until April 2021.
The mixed use multi-deck carpark was set to provide a minimum of approximately 1,000 car park spaces including 499 new spaces for the Glen Waverley Activity Centre (GWAC). The removal of 99 car parks from Kingsway was also planned.
In March 2020 Council decided to defer design of the car park at 31-39 Montclair Avenue for up to six months as officers were in discussions with the SRLA about their investigation works for a station in Glen Waverley.
Council acknowledged that future planning for the GWAC needs to take into account the planning for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) as well as the Kingsway streetscape works.
At its August 2020 meeting, Council decided to again defer the design of the proposed car park in Montclair Ave until April 2021, as the SRLA has not yet announced its preferred locations for the stations in Glen Waverley, Clayton and Monash University.
Until this happens Council is unable to progress with some projects in GWAC but will continue discussions with the Authority about the SRL in Glen Waverley, including issues and opportunities about the location of the station.
Mayor Stuart James said Monash Council is also seeking funding from the State Government to assist in future planning and infrastructure to meet the expected growth in activity precincts where the new Suburban Rail Loop stations will be located in Monash.
He said it was critical that precinct planning for the “place” around these stations begins as early as possible so it relieves some financial burden on Monash ratepayers in responding to any SRL proposals.
“Our calls for funding from the State Government will assist Council in adequately planning for anticipated future growth around these stations and the super hub in Clayton,” Cr James said.
“To facilitate this planning, the State Government and its agencies should be providing direct financial assistance to Council to undertake and coordinate the precinct planning in and around the station locations.
“Council continues to seek and expect meaningful participation as well as deliberative engagement on the project.”
Council welcomes the development of the rail loop as a major infrastructure investment for the state. However, Council also recognises that the SRL stations will be a catalyst for significant increases in land value and consequently increased development expectations around the station hubs and is concerned how it is expected to fund that demand.
The Suburban Rail Loop will link every major railway line from Frankston to Werribee via the airport. Stage one is Cheltenham to Box Hill.
Council has already put on hold several important projects in the GWAC while the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) undertakes investigation works for its preferred station locations in Monash.
Council has three inter-related projects within the GWAC that could be affected by the eventual preferred station location and associated works including:
- The detailed design for a mixed use multi-level car park at 31-39 Montclair Avenue
- The Kingsway Streetscape Renewal works (the design for which was planned to commence following completion of the mixed use multi-level carpark)
- The marketing and sale of Council-owned properties at 14 Bogong Avenue and 155 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley.
Media Contact: Jo Robertson 0418 391 979 or email joanne.robertson@monash.vic.gov.au