The Victorian Government has approved plans for 795 new apartments in Glen Waverley, positioning the development within walking distance of the future Suburban Rail Loop station and key local amenities.
Announced on Thursday 12 February 2026, the project has been fast tracked through the state’s Development Facilitation Program and will see two residential towers of 35 and 30 storeys constructed on Springvale Road. The estimated $410 million development includes a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, basement parking and ground level retail space.
The proposal sits near Glen Waverley Primary School, The Glen shopping centre and the site earmarked for the future underground Suburban Rail Loop station. It forms part of a broader push by the Allan Labor Government to increase housing supply in established suburbs with access to major transport infrastructure.
Fast tracked through Development Facilitation Program
The Development Facilitation Program was established to accelerate significant housing projects across Victoria. Since opening, the program has fast tracked more than 8,300 homes, according to government figures.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny confirmed the Glen Waverley project had been approved under the program.
“We are getting on delivering more homes for young Victorians, so that they can have the same opportunities their parents had,” she said.
“More houses mean more opportunities, and that is exactly what this new development will provide for those wanting to live in Glen Waverley.”
The program is designed to streamline assessment processes for projects that align with state housing and infrastructure priorities, particularly those close to public transport and employment hubs.
Linking housing growth to transport investment
The development is directly linked to the future Suburban Rail Loop, a major infrastructure project currently under construction in Melbourne’s east.
The Suburban Rail Loop will create a new orbital rail line connecting major activity centres, universities and employment precincts. In Glen Waverley, the new underground station is expected to reshape the surrounding precinct.
According to the government, travel times between several destinations will be significantly reduced once the loop is operational. A student travelling from Caulfield to Glen Waverley is projected to save 17 minutes compared to current journey times. The Clayton to Glen Waverley trip is forecast to take around 3.5 minutes door to door, compared to approximately 34 minutes by car.
Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing said the rail investment and housing delivery were closely aligned.
“The Suburban Rail Loop will slash travel times and cut congestion for busy families while delivering 70,000 more homes within walking distance to jobs, healthcare, green open spaces and Australia’s largest universities,” she said.
“We are getting on delivering a new underground station in the heart of Glen Waverley, with more homes, jobs, services and quality open space in walking distance.”
Construction of the Suburban Rail Loop is progressing, with more than 3,000 people currently working on the project. Tunnelling is expected to commence later this year.
The government has described the Suburban Rail Loop as Australia’s largest housing project, with the capacity to support around 70,000 new homes across six station precincts.
Urban consolidation in established suburbs
The Glen Waverley approval reflects a broader planning approach focused on increasing density in established middle ring suburbs rather than relying solely on greenfield expansion.
Glen Waverley, located approximately 19 kilometres south east of the Melbourne CBD, has long been regarded as a high demand suburb due to its schools, retail facilities and established residential character.
The introduction of a major underground rail station is expected to further elevate its strategic importance.
High rise apartment developments of 30 storeys or more are not typical in the immediate area, and the scale of the approved towers may prompt debate about built form, overshadowing and traffic impacts. However, state policy has increasingly supported greater density around transport nodes in an effort to address housing supply constraints.
The inclusion of retail space at ground level is intended to activate the street frontage and integrate the development into the surrounding precinct.
Addressing housing affordability pressures
Like much of Australia, Victoria continues to grapple with housing affordability and supply pressures. Population growth, constrained land supply and infrastructure bottlenecks have contributed to rising prices and rental shortages in metropolitan areas.
By locating new housing close to major transport infrastructure, the government argues it can deliver more accessible living options, particularly for younger households.
The 795 apartments will offer a mix of dwelling sizes, including one, two and three bedroom configurations. While pricing has not yet been released, apartment projects in established transport rich suburbs are typically targeted at a range of buyers, including first home buyers, downsizers and investors.
Member for Glen Waverley John Mullahy described the Suburban Rail Loop and associated housing development as a once in a generation opportunity.
“The new SRL Glen Waverley Station will help connect our local community to jobs, education and world class healthcare, and I am pleased to see this once in a generation project progress further,” he said.
Economic and employment impacts
The $410 million project is also expected to contribute to employment during the construction phase. Large scale apartment developments of this nature typically involve a multi year build program and support a range of trades, consultants and suppliers.
The Suburban Rail Loop itself is already employing more than 3,000 workers, with additional roles anticipated as tunnelling and station works accelerate.
Major transport and housing projects are often positioned by governments as both social infrastructure and economic stimulus, particularly in periods of softer private sector activity.
Planning considerations and next steps
While the Development Facilitation Program can streamline approvals, large scale projects remain subject to planning conditions and compliance requirements. Matters such as traffic management, environmental impacts, design standards and community amenity are typically addressed through permit conditions.
The development’s proximity to schools and retail facilities may reduce reliance on car travel for some residents, particularly once the rail station is operational. Basement parking has been included in the design, though the total number of car spaces has not been publicly detailed.
As Melbourne continues to grow, the balance between density and neighbourhood character remains a central planning issue. Projects such as the Glen Waverley towers illustrate how infrastructure investment and housing delivery are increasingly intertwined.
The coming years will determine how effectively this model of transit oriented development contributes to easing housing pressures and reshaping suburban living patterns.
For now, the approval of 795 new homes on Springvale Road marks a significant step in aligning housing growth with one of Victoria’s largest infrastructure undertakings.
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