High-speed rail between Sydney and Newcastle is another step closer to fruition following the appointment of the board to oversee the concept.
The Australian Government’s funding the new High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to the tune of $13.58 million over the next three years.
The panel, to be chaired by Jill Rossouw and consisting of Gillian Brown, Diane Crowther OBE, Ian Hunt and Neil Scales OBE, will formally start operations on Tuesday 13 June.
It’s understood the board boasts the appropriate skills, qualifications, knowledge and experience to best bring high-speed rail to reality.
The HSRA will administer the development of the network along the east coast of Australia, with its first priority to manage the planning and corridor works for the Sydney-to-Newcastle section of the project, backed by a $500 million commitment from the Australian Government.
High-speed rail is anticipated to revolutionise interstate travel, providing a fast alternative for people to move between cities and regional centres, promoting sustainable settlement patterns and creating broad economic benefits for those areas.
It could allow passengers to travel between those regions at speeds exceeding 250 kilometres per hour.
In 2022, Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) national secretary Mark Diamond said Australia needed a comprehensive plan to deliver faster, safer and better transport.
“High-speed rail would not only address the country’s absolute reliance on airline industry, it’d stimulate a new era of growth in regional centres along the east coast,” he stated.
“The pandemic, and the associated increase in people in working from home, has increased the trend of Australians seeking to move away from the major cities.
“This should open up massive opportunities for regional areas to grow and prosper.
“But, they’re being held back by critical failures in our national infrastructure.
“It’s clear Anthony Albanese understands the importance of decentralising the economy and the role of rail in making it happen.”
For more news stories:
- Port Stephens community called to workshop coastline management options
- Maitland Town Hall’s $9.7m refurbishment unveiled
- New England Highway overpass set to open at Belford
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
