Monash’s 2025 infrastructure developments include the major Suburban Rail Loop construction, a $535 million Monash Medical Centre Tower expansion, new playgrounds and pavilions, the Waverley Rail Trail extension, road improvements, and community facility upgrades with a total investment of over $1 billion across state and council projects.
Monash, Victoria, is experiencing one of the most significant infrastructure transformation periods in its history during 2025. From groundbreaking transport projects to community facilities and healthcare expansions, the city is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable urban development. This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 infrastructure developments reshaping Monash in 2025, offering valuable insights for residents, investors, businesses, and anyone interested in the area’s future growth.
1. Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East – Monash Station Construction
The Suburban Rail Loop represents the largest transport infrastructure project in Victoria’s history, with three new railway stations planned for Monash municipality: Glen Waverley, Clayton, and Monash University stations.
Project Highlights
The Monash station construction is powering ahead with early works underway throughout 2025. Construction crews are working day and night moving underground services on Normanby and Howleys roads near Monash University, and on Ferntree Gully Road to make way for the new underground station and twin tunnels. Tunnel boring machines are scheduled to arrive and start digging in early 2026.
Impact on Community and Business
The SRL East is set to open in 2035, supporting an estimated 70,000 daily trips, easing road congestion and creating up to 8,000 jobs during construction. The new Monash station will provide direct rail access to Victoria’s largest university for the first time, revolutionizing transport options for students, staff, and visitors.
Travel Time Benefits
Once complete, journeys between Cheltenham and Monash will be reduced to just 10 minutes – three times faster than the current 30-minute drive. Students traveling from Bayswater to Monash University will save 15 minutes, arriving in just 37 minutes with a simple change at Box Hill.
2. Monash Medical Centre Tower Expansion – $535 Million Investment
The Victorian Government is investing $535 million to deliver a seven-storey tower at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, built above the hospital’s newly expanded emergency department.
Key Features
The new multi-storey tower will include:
- New operating theatre complex with pre- and post-operative beds
- Expanded intensive care unit for the sickest patients
- Enhanced maternity services with new birthing suites
- Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD)
Construction Timeline
Early works are expected to start in 2025, paving the way for main works, with the project expected to be completed in 2029. This expansion follows the successful completion of the $76.3 million emergency department expansion that opened in 2022.
3. Victorian Heart Hospital Operations and Expansion
The $577 million Victorian Heart Hospital, Australia’s first specialist, standalone cardiac hospital, continues its operations after opening in 2023. Located on the Monash University Clayton campus, it represents a significant healthcare infrastructure investment.
2025 Developments
The hospital continues to expand its services and research capabilities throughout 2025. The Victorian Government has invested $17.5 million in the Monash Velos Accelerator, which will fast-track the development of heart health therapies, clinical products, and cardiac technology.
Research and Innovation Hub
The facility houses the Monash Victorian Heart Institute and serves as a center for education, research, and clinical excellence, positioning Monash as a global leader in cardiac care and innovation.
4. Community Sports and Recreation Facilities
Monash City Council’s 2025/26 budget allocates significant funding for community sports facilities and recreational infrastructure improvements.
Brandon Park Reserve Pavilion Development
The budget includes $4.1 million for Brandon Park Reserve pavilion redevelopment, providing enhanced facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups.
Tennis Club Reconstruction
The Glenburn Tennis Club reconstruction in Glen Waverley receives $2.8 million in funding, delivering modern tennis facilities for the community.
Additional Sports Infrastructure
- A new car park for Mount Waverley Reserve ($1.6 million)
- Central Reserve – South Oval Sportsground Surface Construction ($2.4 million)
5. Playground and Playspace Upgrades
Monash Council continues its systematic approach to playground improvements based on the Monash Playground and Playspace Strategy 2025-2035.
2025-26 Playground Program
Construction of new playgrounds at Argyle Reserve in Hughesdale and Albany Drive Reserve in Mulgrave, along with a new public toilet at Glen Waverley North Reserve ($0.9 million).
Strategic Approach
The prioritization of upgrades is based on advice from the most recent independent safety and condition audit for all Monash playgrounds. The strategy classifies playgrounds to help plan for parks and reserves, including playground design and budget allocation.
6. Waverley Rail Trail Extension and Cycling Infrastructure
The Waverley Rail Trail represents a significant active transport infrastructure development connecting communities across Monash.
2025 Construction
Council is constructing the missing section of the Waverley Rail Trail between Jordanville and Mount Waverley stations. The Council budget allocates $2.2 million for continuing work on the Waverley Rail Trail.
Trail Features
The development includes a 3.0 metre wide shared path for walkers and bike riders on the railway (north) side of Windsor Avenue, with minimized tree removal by locating the path between trees and the railway line.
Community Benefits
More than 83 percent of survey respondents indicated they would be likely to walk or ride more by having the new shared path, demonstrating strong community support for active transport infrastructure.
7. Road Infrastructure and Traffic Improvements
Monash Council’s commitment to road infrastructure continues with significant investments in 2025.
Major Road Rehabilitation Projects
Key road reconstruction projects include Hotham Street in Hughesdale ($1.4 million), Coleman Parade in Glen Waverley ($6 million), and Kennedy Street in Glen Waverley ($0.8 million).
Overall Road Investment
The budget includes $4.1 million on upkeep of roads across Monash, $4.8 million for footpaths and cycleways, and $2.6 million on drainage improvements.
8. Digital Infrastructure and Technology Upgrades
Monash Council recognizes the importance of digital infrastructure in modern community service delivery.
Digital Investment
Council is investing $6.7 million in digital technologies as part of its Digital and Transformation Strategy to uplift and modernize technology, improve digital services, and support cybersecurity.
Technology Focus Areas
The investment focuses on optimizing e-services portals for property and rating solutions, driving automation, and identifying smart city use cases to improve service delivery to residents and businesses.
9. Early Years Infrastructure Development
Monash continues significant investment in early childhood infrastructure to meet growing demand for kindergarten services.
Government Partnership
Council has partnered with the Victorian Government for the Best Start Best Life reforms, which include universal access to 15 hours of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten transitioning to Pre-Prep.
Recent Completions and Ongoing Projects
Dover Street Preschool, Ward Avenue Kindergarten, and Ashwood Memorial Kindergarten were completed in late 2024, while Dorrington Child and Family Hub is currently under construction.
10. Glen Waverley Civic Precinct Project
The Glen Waverley Civic Precinct represents a long-term vision for transforming the heart of Glen Waverley.
2025 Progress
The budget allocates $1.6 million for progressing the Glen Waverley Civic Precinct project, continuing detailed design work that was completed in the 2024/25 financial year.
Funding Strategy
The project will be funded through the Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s acquisition of Council land and the sale of the Central Car Park site, ensuring sustainable financing for this major community infrastructure investment.
Investment Context and Economic Impact
Total Infrastructure Investment
The combined value of infrastructure projects across Monash in 2025 exceeds $1 billion when including state government projects, council investments, and private sector developments. This represents one of the most significant periods of infrastructure development in the city’s history.
Council Budget Overview
Monash Council’s 2025/26 budget projects total expenditure of $248.4 million, with a capital works program of $71.9 million. The budget maintains the lowest rates per capita of any council in Victoria while delivering substantial infrastructure improvements.
Economic Benefits
These infrastructure developments create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, enhance property values, improve quality of life, and position Monash as an attractive location for businesses and families. The integration of transport, healthcare, education, and community facilities creates a comprehensive ecosystem supporting sustainable urban growth.
Conclusion
Monash’s infrastructure developments in 2025 represent a transformative period that will shape the city’s future for decades to come. From the groundbreaking Suburban Rail Loop to expanded healthcare facilities, improved community amenities, and enhanced digital infrastructure, these projects demonstrate a commitment to creating a more connected, sustainable, and liveable community.
The strategic coordination between state government investments, council initiatives, and community needs ensures that Monash continues to evolve as one of Victoria’s premier municipalities. Whether you’re a current resident, potential investor, or business owner, these infrastructure developments offer compelling reasons to be part of Monash’s exciting future.
As these projects progress throughout 2025 and beyond, they will deliver tangible benefits, including reduced travel times, improved healthcare access, better recreational facilities, and enhanced quality of life for all who live, work, and visit this dynamic southeastern Melbourne municipality.
Sources
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Victorian Health Building Authority. “The Victorian Heart Hospital.” VHBA, www.vhba.vic.gov.au/health/specialist-centres/victorian-heart-hospital.
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