This discussion paper examines the current governance structure for rail in Australia, and how it could be modified to accommodate high-speed rail.
The proposed structure has been developed to respond to key challenges to implementing a single national rail governance structure in Australia, including:
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High speed rail must be implemented and operated as a single national network linking Queensland, NSW, Victoria and the ACT (and potentially South Australia)
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HSR will need to accommodate fast-freight as well as passenger trains to be economically viable
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HSR will need integrated operations with existing rail networks, which are currently controlled by ARTC as well as state-based organisations
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Future governance arrangements will need to enable several different rail operators to share tracks
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Common technical standards around safety systems and other areas will needed across the network
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Australia's federal system of government means funding of infrastructure needs to be shared between the federal and respective state governments
The paper also proposes a strategy for migrating from the current governance structure to a truly national and flexible system capable of maximising the benefits of high speed rail.