Suburban high rises would be green-lit around new stations as part of the multi-billion dollar rail loop being built under middle Melbourne.

The Herald Sun has learnt that planning rules for some of the six Suburban Rail Loop station precincts – Southland in Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill — could pave the wave for high density housing towers.

This would allow for mini-metropolises that cluster jobs, housing and education together with transport hubs, but would significantly alter the surrounding landscape.

More detailed station footprint designs have also emerged, showing where existing properties will be acquired for the project’s underground hubs to be built using a cut and cover and “bottom-up” construction method.

The government is refusing to provide details on height limits proposed for each of the station areas, saying people would have to wait until an “investment case” is released.

If planning schemes were similar to Box Hill, where buildings such as Sky One and the Chen Hotel already soar about 120m, heights of 30-storeys or more could be allowed.
Stage One of the loop, which will run 26km from Cheltenham to Box Hill, is set to begin construction next year, despite many of the residents and businesses near to the stations still in the dark about project details.

Ange Pet Salon owner, Jason Gong, said project workers had inspected their Box Hill grooming shop and told him it’s possible the business would have to move – despite having a 10-year lease.

“I want to stay of course, it’s a good location,” he said.

“Our business is growing, we are known by a lot of people here now. If we do have to move we want to stay near here.”