High Speed Rail in Australia

[kamchatsky]

Well, another announcement on HSR in Australia. However, this feels different from previous governments' announcement. With Sydney becoming full, this infrastructure could help resolve the housing issue that my kids will face. This may actually get off the ground for a change.

The cost is $$$$ though. I am not sure how on earth we are going to fund it. Maybe another political stunt.

High-speed rail hoped to ease housing crisis as $230m more thrown at plan

www.9news.com.au

Newcastle to Sydney | High Speed Rail Authority | High Speed Rail Authority

Learn more about the High Speed Rail Authority High Speed Rail Authority project and have your say on the interactive portal

www.hsra.gov.au

It is supposed to link with WSI as well:

 

[Saab34]

Victoria needs many unfunded tens of billions for SRL so this will probably never eventuate.

We have seen issues with Melbourne Airport rail, we have also seen issues with that inland rail. I don’t have much confidence on delivery here.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Long tunnels are tremendously expensive, compared to surface. And then more $$$. (Ask Snowy Hydro)
No-one wants a high speed train over their back (or front) fence. A surface train would need a lot of properties to compulsorily purchased and demolished (a big voter looser)
Sydney to Canberra route would seem better for a faster train project.

ABC.net.au Australia's long wait for a high-speed train

 

[Seat0B]

As a former Novocastrian, I think Sydney to Newcastle would be a route good as it would make it even easier to live out of Sydney and commute than current arrangements.

As a current Canberran, I would really like a Sydney to Canberra connection. I might still fly CBR-SYD when connecting to international flights, but I would definitely use the rail for all other trips to Sydney. And if it was fast, cheap enough and easy to transfer, I would even consider it for airline connections as honestly, it could not really be worse than the Dash-8s. I just like handing over my luggage at CBR check in and not having to deal with it until destination, especially when travelling with skis.

 

[moa999]

Long tunnels are tremendously expensive, compared to surface

Rail full stop is expensive.

But long tunnels can actually be quite competitive versus a combination of multiple tunnels and viaducts, particularly once land acquisition or environmental costs are included.

The appearance of WSI is strange to me.
An airport is an occasional trip for most versus say day to day work. I would have thought the HSR would be better going to the future City of Bradfield which will be a major employment hub and only one metro stop from WSI, or even Campbeltown/ Macarthur.

Similar to Shanghai Hongquaio Railway, one stop (or a long walk) from Hongquaio Airport, and the future Shanghai East Railway which will be 1 or 2 stops from Pudong Airport.

 

[kamchatsky]

As a former Novocastrian, I think Sydney to Newcastle would be a route good as it would make it even easier to live out of Sydney and commute than current arrangements.

As a current Canberran, I would really like a Sydney to Canberra connection. I might still fly CBR-SYD when connecting to international flights, but I would definitely use the rail for all other trips to Sydney. And if it was fast, cheap enough and easy to transfer, I would even consider it for airline connections as honestly, it could not really be worse than the Dash-8s. I just like handing over my luggage at CBR check in and not having to deal with it until destination, especially when travelling with skis.

Well assuming that they actually finished Newcastle - Sydney - WSI, it would make sense to extend the rail to Canberra.

Then again, I don't know if I will see it in my lifetime.

 

[moa999]

Then again, I don't know if I will see it in my lifetime.

Need Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Shepparton/ Benalla to become 1m + cities.

Rail infrastructure is just hugely expensive.
WSI Airport is $5-6bb

WSI Metro is $12-13bn
Just this Newcastle to Sydney section is now $90+bn. While it's probably the most complex geographically, it would still be uber expensive to do the rest.

 

[kamchatsky]

The business case is available for viewing. Interesting reading:

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/newcastle-sydney-1-hour-albanese-government-lays-foundation-high-speed-rail-australia

https://media.caapp.com.au/pdf/j2IbcN94MVkB/4d2b42f4-a09d-457d-ae1d-cf7f8fe872e8/HSRA%20Newcastle%20to%20Sydney%20High%20Speed%20Rail%20Business%20Case%20FINAL_Redacted%202026.pdf

 

[clifford]

Won't happen.

Might be a rather downgraded version possibly. Hey, this is Australia. We don't do HST.

In any case, I won't be around to not see it.