More than 300 new homes green-lit as major construction begins on SRL Clayton

More than 300 new homes will be built in the city’s southeast as major works begin on the Suburban Rail Loop’s Clayton Station.

More than 300 new homes have been green-lit in Melbourne’s southeast as major construction begins on a “transport super hub” in Clayton.

The Allan government revealed to the Herald Sun on Sunday excavation was set to begin at the site, which is one of six planned underground stations of the $34.5bn Suburban Rail Loop East.

The Clayton Station would connect the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland lines to SRL, which the state government said would grant regional Victorians better access to “jobs, Australia’s largest universities and healthcare”.

Premier Jacinta Allan revealed major construction was set to begin at the SRL Clayton Station. Picture: David Crosling

Minister for planning Sonya Kilkenny also announced the government had expedited the construction of 317 build-to-rent homes within the SRL Clayton precinct on Carinish Rd, through the Development Facilitation Program.

“We’re fast-tracking more homes right next to the Suburban Rail Loop so more Victorians can live close to public transport, jobs, services and the things they need,” she told the Herald Sun.

The state government said the project would include “at least 10 per cent affordable housing”, and feature a new public square, retail spaces and more green space.

Premier Jacinta Allan added the Clayton development exemplified how the SRL was set to deliver more homes in areas Victorians wanted to live.

“The Suburban Rail Loop delivers jobs, trains and homes – and you can see it all here in Clayton,” she said.

Clayton Station would connect the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland lines to SRL. Picture: Supplied

It comes after updated expected travel times for SRL passengers were released earlier on Sunday, with the government seeking to showcase the benefits of its signature rail project, which is the most expensive ever built in Melbourne.

While about $7.6bn worth of contracts have been signed for the project, including $5.3bn for tunnelling packages, the state opposition has called for the project to be cancelled due to spiralling state debt.

Tunnelling is set to begin next year, which is also when the state election is set to be held.

The government has resisted calls to pause the mega project, however, with contracts signed likely to cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars to axe.

Speaking at the SRL Burwood site on Sunday, the Premier reiterated Victoria “could not afford not to build” and said the major transport project would generate $1.70 for every dollar invested.

“More than 600,000 cars each and every day are going to be taken off the roads because of the SRL,” Ms Allan said.

“And as more people are choosing Melbourne as a great place to live, we’ve got to make sure that we’re providing the train services, the homes (and) the opportunities …

“So, we simply can’t afford not to build the SRL.”

Originally published as More than 300 new homes green-lit as major construction begins on SRL Clayton