property
Rail Expansion Transforms Craigieburn Into Major Commuter Hub
A rail corridor expansion will reposition the Highlands estate as a key daily travel hub for Craigieburn workers.
How we reported this
Craigieburn Council approved a $52 million rail corridor widening on 3 July that will add two tracks along the existing line beside Mickleham Road and open a new station entrance at Aitken Boulevard by late 2028.
The decision follows three years of population growth that pushed daily boardings at Craigieburn station above 14,000, a figure recorded in the March 2026 Hume transport survey. Planners say the extra capacity will cut peak-hour waits from 12 minutes to six and draw new buyers to the northern edge of the suburb where vacant lots still sit inside the urban growth boundary.
Highlands estate gains direct access
The new station entrance sits 400 metres from the Highlands shopping strip on Grand Boulevard and links directly to the Craigieburn Residents Association community hall on Hanson Road. Local real estate agents already list three-bedroom homes on nearby streets such as Limestone Drive and Quartz Court at asking prices between $685,000 and $715,000, up from the $610,000 median recorded for the same estate in July 2025.
Work will also include a 1.2 kilometre shared path connecting the station to the existing Craigieburn Gardens reserve and a bus interchange funded under the Hume Integrated Transport Program. Construction crews are scheduled to start site preparation in September 2026 once final environmental checks finish.
Prices and timelines for buyers
Transport modelling released by Hume City Council shows the upgraded line could lift property values in the immediate station catchment by 18 to 22 per cent within three years. First-home buyers are being advised to monitor the council planning portal for the release of 240 new lots on the western side of Mickleham Road, expected to go to market in early 2027.
Residents who want to track progress can register for email alerts through the council website or attend the next monthly planning meeting at Craigieburn Library on 12 August.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.