Insights Library
Roll out of Stage One of the Suburban Rail Loop
As part of the State Government’s “Victoria’s Big Build”, the Suburban Rail Loop (the Loop) is a 90 kilometre rail line which will connect the Frankston Line to the Werribee Line in a semi-circle loop around Melbourne. Whilst the Loop is in its planning phase, the properties likely to be affected should start receiving correspondence from the Suburban Rail Loop Authority shortly or may have already had their properties identified as part of the area of interest. If you have received correspondence from the Authority, we are available to assist you and guide you through the complex acquisition process.
Construction on Stage One of the Loop is scheduled to commence in 2022. As part of Stage One, a south-east section of rail connecting Cheltenham Station to Box Hill Station (via Clayton and Glen Waverley) will be constructed, together with two new stations at Monash University and Burwood. The exact location of all of the works and the footprint of the new stations is not yet known. A timeframe has not yet been released for other stages of the Loop, which include sections to the north-east, north-west and south west, including a connection to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
If you are affected by the Loop, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. The assessment of compensation requires regard to be had to a variety of factors outlined in Part 4 of the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986, including, for example, market value, reduction in value of other interests in land used in conjunction with the acquired land, and other pecuniary losses not otherwise provided for in the Act. There may also be additional compensation available for intangible and non-pecuniary disadvantages suffered by you. The legislation also provides that any legal, valuation or other professional expenses incurred by reason of the acquisition is compensable. Accordingly, you should not be out of pocket for engaging your own lawyer or valuer for advice on the acquisition and compensation payable.
Best Hooper Lawyers is Victoria’s Property, Planning and Land Development Advisory Law Firm that commonly acts for owners and other interested parties in seeking compensation for land acquisitions. We have a rich history acting for a range of clients, including individuals, businesses, developers and publicly listed corporations in claims arising from various Victorian infrastructure projects over the decades. This includes more recently the West Gate Tunnel Project, North-East Link Project, Metro Rail Project and other suburban projects.
If wish to discuss how the Suburban Rail Loop may affect you and your rights to make a claim for compensation, please contact our Land Development team.