On 24 June 2024, property developer H1Land filed a lawsuit against the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, seeking more than A$100 million in damages for the halt of its 218‑apartment Southpoint development on Nepean Highway, Melbourne.
The Southpoint project received planning approval in 2017, a full year before the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) tunnel was announced. H1Land was told that the tunnel would not affect its property, yet SRLA never consulted the developer while drafting the 2021 railway plans.
In May 2024, a builder arrived with equipment to launch construction, only for SRLA to issue a notice two days later that it intended to acquire part of the land beneath the site, extending about four metres below ground. Construction was immediately halted.
H1Land’s claim covers money already spent, losses from delays, legal costs and lost profits. It also contests a separate government action that would strip the company of underground land rights, which could reduce its compensation.
The dispute has left more than 100 families and investors who booked apartments at Southpoint waiting for their homes. They have paid deposits but can no longer access the units or retrieve their funds.
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on 15 September 2024. A ruling in H1Land’s favour could award the company over A$100 million and restore the contested land rights, setting a precedent for other property owners affected by large infrastructure projects.