The travel time between Newcastle and Sydney is almost three hours by train, making the journey long and inconvenient for travellers and commuters.
Planning for a future high speed rail network across the east coast of Australia to connect major cities and regional communities.
When complete, High Speed Rail will boost the economy and transform how Australians live, work and travel along the east coast.
The Australian Government is planning for a future high speed rail (HSR) network to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia. With current travel times of just under three hours by train, the journey from Newcastle to Sydney, the two largest cities in NSW, can be long and unappealing for travellers and commuters. The first phase of a proposed new dedicated high speed railway would connect Newcastle to Sydney in one hour.
Arcadis and WSP in Joint Venture as Catalyst High Speed Rail undertook the Technical Advisory, Environment & Sustainability, Community & Stakeholder Engagement Services (TAESCS) package, one of eight packages that delivered the Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail Business Case.
Catalyst’s multidisciplinary international and local team with global HSR experience was supported by a range of specialist partners including Weston Williamson + Partners, Ineco, Amberg Engineering and Alta.
The business case explored several key initiatives, including the development of a new, dedicated HSR alignment between Sydney and Newcastle, alongside new HSR stations in Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney. The proposal also focused on improving integrated transport networks that connect to the HSR system, as well as introducing new HSR trains capable of speeds up to 320km/h. The assessment covered the establishment of stabling and maintenance facilities, along with upgrades to rail systems and power infrastructure. To ensure future expansion, the business case also included provisions for broader HSR network connections to Brisbane and Melbourne, through Canberra.
The existing rail network between Newcastle and Sydney is the busiest in Australia, handling nearly 15 million passengers annually along with significant freight volumes. However, passenger services are often disrupted by freight movements, and the network is expected to reach full capacity by the early 2040s.
The HSR network, starting with the link between Newcastle and Sydney , would better connect more regional and urban communities, unlock growth and housing affordability, boost productivity and access to services, and provide sustainable travel alternatives to reduce transport emissions and road congestion. High speed rail would more than halve existing journey times, with significantly greater reliability.
PROJECT HISTORY
