The federal government’s independent assessment body for major projects has given high-speed rail the green light to proceed.
Infrastructure Australia has given approval for the next phase of the project to deliver a high-speed rail connection between Sydney and Newcastle via the Central Coast.
In addition, it recommended that further work and consultation progress on the entire East-Coast National High-Speed Rail project.
The long-term vision for High-Speed Rail is to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne through over 1800 kilometres of dedicated high speed rail tracks.
Infrastructure Australia is supporting High-Speed Rail’s movement into the development phase for the Sydney to Newcastle section, a two-year period in which at least 40 per cent of the design will be confirmed.
This will facilitate updates to the cost estimates in the economic and financial analysis to also include full network integration costs and precinct design.
The High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) currently estimates that the design is at 10 per cent to 15 per cent maturity.
The development phase would also be a time for securing planning approvals and preserving the corridor.
The High Speed Rail Authority has identified the Sydney to Newcastle link as the priority for the project, based on housing and employment benefits.
Infrastructure Australia said this should be further justified, alongside other key factors such as cost, constructability, travel-time savings, environmental impacts and lessons learnt.
The Sydney to Newcastle link will stretch 194 kilometres, including 115 kilometres through tunnels.
Trains could reach maximum speeds of 320 kilometers per hour between the Central Coast and Newcastle.
However, the trains will need to travel at a maximum of 200 kilometres per hour through the narrower tunnels between Sydney and Central Coast.
The first stage of the project will include four stations: Broadmeadow in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast to be delivered by 2037, and Central Sydney to be delivered by 2039.
Final approval for the project lies with the federal government.
The Public Transport Association of Australia and New Zealand (PTAANZ) has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s positive evaluation of the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail proposal.
PTAANZ Chief Executive Lauren Streifer congratulated all involved on the significant milestone, hailing high speed rail’s potential to quickly connect Australian regions into “commutable” distances, strengthening regional communities and reducing the housing crisis [1].
“High speed rail has been successfully introduced around the world. In Japan it has made homes more affordable, and given residents more choice about where to live. In Australia it will reshape our cities, and better connect our regions,” she said.
“Infrastructure Australia’s evaluation shows 58 per cent of forecast benefits will come from unlocking land, potentially creating 150,000 new homes. Australian high speed rail will provide greater access to opportunities by bringing people, jobs and homes closer.”
