In a move that will surprise absolutely no one who has been paying attention, Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has decided to push ahead with the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop, but only after promising to shave about 6% off its total cost. Because nothing says 'respect for taxpayer money' like a last-minute scope change and an independent review.

Carroll will announce on Tuesday that the scope of SRL East - that's the 26km stretch of tunnels between Cheltenham and Box Hill for those of you not fluent in Victorian infrastructure - will be adjusted to save a cool $1bn. But wait, there's more: an 'independent, technical review' will be ordered to find another $1bn in savings. No new contracts will be awarded until the review is done, but don't worry, the tunnelling between Burwood and Glen Waverley is still set to begin soon. Because nothing says 'pause' like 'keep digging'.

'The SRL will be built on time. Today's changes mean it will be built under budget,' Carroll said, presumably while patting himself on the back. Combined, the measures will bring the total cost down to about $32.3bn from a maximum of $34.5bn, as outlined in the 2021 business and investment case. That's a saving of $2.2bn, which is either a lot or a little depending on how you look at a project that started with a $34.5bn price tag.

In other restructuring news, the Suburban Rail Loop Authority will be folded into the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority. This move was already in the works before Carroll became premier four weeks ago, which is convenient because it gives him something to announce.

Since taking over from Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews - both of whom championed the orbital train line like it was their firstborn - Carroll has been trying to differentiate himself. In his first week, he said he wouldn't tear up contracts, but he wouldn't rule out redirecting billions to other projects like Melbourne Airport rail. Then on Monday, he told 3AW that other projects were more important to Victorians: 'Airport Rail, Melton electrification, filling potholes and doing the job properly - these are the things Victorians want from their leader and their government.' Because nothing says 'leadership' like prioritizing potholes over a massive rail project.

On ABC Radio Melbourne, he added that work on SRL would continue, but there were 'other projects that are so much more needed and urgent.' So the SRL is going ahead, but it's not that important. Got it.

What exactly will be scrapped or scaled back? The underground station interchanges at Box Hill and Glen Waverley, a second station entrance at Clayton, and some 'complex' pedestrian bridges in Burwood and Cheltenham. Also gone: a multilevel car park at Glen Waverley that was meant to replace about 400 parking spots lost during construction. And the SRL Community Projects Fund, which gave grants between $10,000 and $80,000 to local groups, will end after the current round. So if you were hoping for a grant to fund your local knitting circle, tough luck.

The government has allocated $11.8bn to SRL East, with the feds chipping in $6bn (including $3.8bn from May's budget). About $14.5bn worth of contracts have already been signed. So the project is happening, but it's going to be cheaper, and we'll just have to wait and see what the independent review says. In the meantime, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson says if the Coalition wins in November, she'll pause and review the project. Because why not add another review to the pile?