Doncaster Rail Study

Cost: $6.5 million for a feasibility study

What's happening

The Doncaster Rail Study has reached an important milestone with the identification of three corridor themes. These themes will be filtered to a shortlist of options ahead of the study team’s final recommendations report on a potential rail link to Doncaster.

The study team recently held community workshops to seek feedback on these themes, and will be hosting Ideas Booths in the coming weeks in Kew and Doncaster to hear what you think about a Doncaster rail line. More details can be found on the Doncaster Rail Study website.

Project description

The Victorian Government has provided $6.5 million to examine a number of options for providing a high-quality heavy rail link to Doncaster.

Doncaster is one of the most important commercial and civic centres within the City of Manningham. Although there has been significant growth in patronage of recently upgraded bus services from Doncaster to the CBD, the City of Manningham remains the only metropolitan Melbourne municipality without train or tram services.

Detailed investigations are being undertaken to enable the Government to better understand the requirements of a high quality heavy rail link for communities within the Manningham, Boroondara, Yarra, Whitehorse, Maroondah and Banyule municipalities.

• Study scope (PDF, 1.1 MB)
• Study area map (PDF, 171.5 KB)

The Victorian Government will continue to work with Infrastructure Australia to progress a potential rail line to Doncaster.

The Doncaster Rail Study consists of a partnership of four key engineering firms, led by URS, with a number of supporting sub-contractors. Information about their work, including details of community workshops, can be found on the study team's website.

Study objectives

The aim of the Doncaster Rail Study is to provide an independent assessment of the requirements of constructing a heavy rail line to Doncaster.

The specific objectives of the study are to:

• engage with key stakeholders and the community to assess travel needs and establish views on concept designs for a Doncaster rail line
• provide concepts for a proposed Doncaster railway line
• ensure that the rail proposal integrates with all operational and strategic plans for the existing and future rail, tram and road network
• identify key issues, constraints and opportunities relating to transport efficiency and reliability, land use planning, and environmental, social and economic sustainability
• develop a report that provides recommendations to government for a heavy rail solution, with an assessment of potential impacts and how to minimise them.

Consultation and communication

A key part of undertaking the study is to engage with key stakeholders, business, industry, transport operators and the community.

A range of engagement tools and techniques will be used as part of the study process, including:

• interactive online engagement
• local council briefings
• technical workshops
• community information sessions
• the release of the draft recommendations report for public feedback before it is finalised and submitted to government.

For further information call 1800 800 007 or email info@doncasterrailstudy.com

Media releases

• 3 May 2011 - Coalition Government takes action on Doncaster rail link
• 26 October 2011 - Doncaster Rail planning study underway with contract awarded
• 9 March 2012 – Shortlisted options for Doncaster Rail released