The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) has formed a first-of-its-kind committee for a major Victorian project to improve communication with multicultural communities throughout the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) delivery.
The SRL Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Steering Committee (CALD), part of the SRL CALD Engagement Strategy, aims to build long-term connections and improve engagement with diverse communities along the SRL East corridor from Cheltenham to Box Hill.
Mary Sophou is a committee member who advocates for the Greek community’s needs and works with SRL to find the best solutions.
“My engagement on the steering committee aims to enhance the engagement and communication between the Suburban Rail Loop and the Greek community living and enjoying activities along the SRL corridors between Cheltenham to Box Hill during the planning and delivery stages,” she told Neos Kosmos.
The SRL project is a 90-kilometre rail line that will connect major train lines from Frankston to Werribee via Melbourne Airport, making it easier for people in nearby neighborhoods to access jobs, education, healthcare, and shopping.It also aims to create more housing options, with easier access to public transport, services, jobs, schools, parks, and cafés.
The SRL loop, Sophou explained “starts from the West (Werribee) includes the new Melbourne Airport and connects stations along the line to Cheltenham.”
Construction of SRL East, which began in 2022, connects Cheltenham to Box Hill and includes stations in Box Hill, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Monash, Clayton, and Cheltenham.
Sophou said “the SRL aims to meet Victoria’s population growth,” with estimates predicting 11 million people in the state and 9 million in Melbourne by 2050.
“We have a city which is evolving and growing, putting pressure on our roads, public transport and impacts on jobs and local infrastructure.”
“We need to act now to make plans for the future to manage the projected 11.8 million extra daily public transport trips and up to 80% private vehicle trips.”
As PRONIA’s Family & Community Services Manager she said “there is a significant proportion of our Greek community who live in the Eastern corridor and in the long term, will benefit from the SRL.”
“Our community, especially those who have Greek as their primary language have a right to know and be informed in what is happening in their local area and consider how it may impact them.”
“It is our responsibility to provide information that is easily accessible and understood by a cross section of the community – not just those who understand English.”
In a media release to Neos Kosmos, SRLA CEO Frankie Carroll said, “The steering committee will help us support the diverse multicultural communities that live in the areas that will benefit from our project and be impacted by it during construction – it’s fantastic to see such a strong response from community leaders who are coming together to make a difference.
“Suburban Rail Loop East will provide more affordable housing options in the areas people want to live and better connect these communities to jobs, services and each other,” Carroll said.
