BREAKING: Australia’s Future Takes Shape as High-Speed Rail Link Between Sydney and Newcastle Gets Green Light
- The federal government’s independent assessment body, Infrastructure Australia, has given the thumbs up for the development phase of the high-speed rail project.
- The proposed 194km track will slash travel times between Sydney and Newcastle from 2 hours and 40 minutes to just 60 minutes, with trains reaching speeds of up to 320km/h.
- The project, expected to be completed by 2037, will include four stations and is predicted to boost regional economies and unlock housing opportunities.
In a major breakthrough for Australia’s transportation future, the high-speed rail link between Sydney and Newcastle has been given the green light by the federal government’s independent assessment body, Infrastructure Australia. The project, which promises to revolutionize travel between the two cities, has been deemed viable and is set to enter its development phase.
According to Infrastructure Australia’s assessment report, the track will span 194km, with 155km of that distance being tunnels. The expected tunnel diameter between Sydney and the Central Coast will prevent trains from reaching their maximum speed of 320km/h, but they will be able to hit top speed between the Central Coast and Newcastle.
High Speed Rail Authority chief executive Tim Parker welcomed the news, saying he expects the government to give the project the final go-ahead. “I think the government has already shown their commitment,” he said. “They’ve set us up, they’ve given us funding… I don’t think we’ll see anything other than support by government for us to develop the project.”
The project has been identified as a priority corridor by the High Speed Rail Authority, with the potential to boost regional economies and unlock housing opportunities. “We think it will really help with things like housing, local employment, and, of course, travel times,” Mr Parker said. “The current travel time between Newcastle and Sydney is about two hours and 40 minutes, but with high-speed rail, we’ll be looking at a travel time of around an hour.”
Transport Minister Catherine King also welcomed the news, saying the project is a “nation-shaping investment” that will unlock housing, create employment opportunities in the regions, and enable the country to meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets. “The Government is committed to progressing High Speed Rail, which has proven its ability overseas to bring people and places closer together, making it faster and easier to connect our regions, cities, and communities.”
The project is expected to be completed by 2037, with the initial stage including four stations: Broadmeadow in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Central Coast, followed by Central Sydney in 2039. The line will eventually extend to Western Sydney Airport via Parramatta by 2042.