Government funding for high-speed rail moves into development phase

Transport Minister Catherine King says government funding for high-speed rail is increasing again, with an additional $229.6 million allocated to the High Speed Rail Authority, as outlined in a Catherine King media release. Still, the funding is aimed at the next stage of work.

Meanwhile, the new funding is directed to the high-speed rail development phase, covering detailed design, the approvals pathway, and work to confirm scope and cost. The Federal Government says this will help make high-speed rail “shovel-ready” within two years, as reported by ABC News.

High Speed Rail Authority $229.6 million funding: what it covers?

Australia’s proposed high-speed network would run from Brisbane to Melbourne via Sydney and Canberra. It would also serve regional communities along the East Coast, as described by the High Speed Rail Authority. Under the first stage concept, passengers could travel between Newcastle and Sydney in about one hour, and from the Central Coast to either city in about 30 minutes.

In addition, this latest announcement lifts total government investment to date to $659.6 million. A business case for high-speed rail was released this morning, with a particular focus on the Newcastle to Sydney section, according to Rail Express.

Speaking on the breakfast radio program Sunrise with Natalie Barra and Matt Shervington, Minister King said: “We’ve now announced we’re investing in what’s called the development phase.

Don’t miss…Network Rail Manchester Piccadilly works: trains return

“We’ll be going metre by metre along the line, doing all of the detailed design work, designing the tunnels, designing the stations, to get this project ready for a final investment in 2028.

“We’re very determined to bring high speed rail to Australia. We think its time has come, but we’ve got to do this properly.”

Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail business case and costs

King said the Sydney to Newcastle section of the line would cost around $55 billion, including an advanced manufacturing facility and a fleet of high-speed trains. She said it is “absolutely clear” private capital will be required to build it.

At the same time, she said the construction cost of the rail line itself is around the $31 billion mark. King added that the project is expected to generate over $250 billion of economic activity in Australia, create 99,000 jobs, and support the possibility of another 160,000 homes, while cementing the Hunter as an economic powerhouse in New South Wales.

Industry reaction to Australia high-speed rail funding announcement

Industry groups welcomed the new development funding. Lauren Streifer, CEO of the Public Transport Association Australia New Zealand (PTAANZ), said: “Today’s funding commitment is an incredibly exciting step for Australia, and a step towards greater certainty for our sector,” she said.

“High-speed rail can build on and sustain the capability and skills already being used to deliver transformative projects like Sydney Metro and the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.

“It will re-shape how our east coast regions and cities grow, better connecting generations for come.”

Also, she said the “significant commitment to detailed planning” would help secure the project corridor, keeping costs down and delivering services sooner. Streifer added that the move would be welcomed across Australia’s public transport and infrastructure sector.

Separately, Caroline Wilkie, CEO of the Australasian Railway Association, said the additional development funding would enable industry to demonstrate how high-speed rail can best be delivered. “The next two years will chart the path to making high speed rail a reality to ensure Australians can make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” she said.

“We have the industry capability to deliver a project of this calibre here in Australia today and will be ready to put boots on the ground in 2028.”

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: