Doncaster Rail Study

Cost: $6.5 million for a feasibility study

What's happening

On Thursday 14 March the Minister for Public Transport released the Doncaster Rail Study Phase One Draft Recommendations Report.

The report details the findings of the independent study team’s investigations into the best route for a Doncaster rail line. The report recommends an alignment from the Doncaster Park-and-Ride to the city, via the Eastern Freeway, connecting to the Hurstbridge line at around Victoria Park.

The study estimates daily patronage of up to 56,000 people, with new stations at the Doncaster Park-and-Ride, Bulleen (Thompsons Road) and Kew (Chandler Highway).

A number of rail network capacity challenges are identified in the study findings, which would need to be addressed before a rail line to Doncaster could be introduced.

These challenges include measures to increase the number of trains that can be run on the busy South Morang and Hurstbridge group of lines.

The proposed rail line is estimated to cost in the order of $3 billion to $5 billion.

Draft recommendations report – available for public comment

The draft report is now available for public comment.

Visit doncasterrailstudy.com to read the report and find out how you can have your say.

Details of Q&A sessions with the Study Leader will be available soon.

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 direct access to train or tram services.

Detailed investigations have been 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.

The Study Team has released the Stage One Draft Recommendations Report, outlining study findings and a preferred alignment for a heavy rail line to Doncaster.

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

Phase One of the Doncaster Rail Study is being delivered through 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 at doncasterrailstudy.com

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:

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:

Media releases

Further information

Phone: 1800 800 007
   
Email: info@doncasterrailstudy.com
   
Web: doncasterrailstudy.com