High Speed Rail - Why it's different this time

By Garry Glazebrook

As expected, the usual suspects are trotting out the old hoary arguments why high speed rail won't work in Australia.  Here Garry outlines seven reasons why it’s different this time.

Australia’s first high-speed rail (HSR) line between Sydney and Newcastle has entered the Development Phase, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s long-considered journey toward fast rail. However, the announcement has once again sparked scepticism among a vocal group of commentators and sections of the public.

Australia has long been characterised as a global leader in studying high-speed rail—yet remains without a single metre of operational track. The question now being asked is: what has changed?

A Changing Global Context

Over the past decade, high-speed rail has expanded rapidly worldwide. More than 20 countries now operate HSR networks, with many others—including India, Canada, Egypt and the Baltic States—actively developing their first lines. This global momentum reflects growing recognition of HSR as a transformative transport solution.

A Unique Australian Opportunity

The High Speed Rail Authority has identified a corridor stretching from the Sunshine Coast to Geelong, including Canberra and the Gold Coast, that contains approximately 75% of Australia’s population within just 3% of its landmass. This density exceeds that of countries such as Spain, which already operates more than 4,000 kilometres of high-speed rail.

Despite this concentration, over 60% of the population within this corridor remains clustered in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, largely due to limited long-distance ground transport options.

Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits

Recent analysis highlights that high-speed rail offers far more than travel time savings. Key benefits include:

• Improved housing affordability through regional decentralisation

• Enhanced productivity via stronger integration of regional economies

• Environmental gains through reduced transport emissions

Fastrack Australia estimates that by 2065, HSR could enable up to 2 million Australians to live outside major capital cities, delivering housing affordability benefits valued at approximately $200 billion.

Growing Public Familiarity

Australians are increasingly familiar with high-speed rail through international travel. Globally, HSR systems demonstrate strong demand:

• The Madrid–Barcelona corridor supports 36 daily services each way

• China’s Shanghai–Beijing line has proven so popular that additional capacity is being developed

These examples reinforce the viability of high-speed rail on longer-distance routes.

Addressing Cost Concerns

Cost remains the central concern. The Newcastle to Western Sydney Airport section is estimated at up to $90 billion. However, alternative investments—such as new expressways, highway upgrades, and expanded airport capacity—also carry substantial financial, environmental and social costs.

Managing Delivery Risks

Concerns about cost overruns are valid, given global experience with major infrastructure projects. However, the High Speed Rail Authority has outlined mitigation strategies, including:

• Detailed geotechnical investigations prior to tunnelling

• Establishment of advanced manufacturing for standardised components

• Continuous, programmatic construction to avoid inefficiencies

These approaches aim to improve cost certainty and delivery performance.

A Nation-Building Opportunity

Australia has a long history of delivering transformative infrastructure projects, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the Sydney Opera House—all of which continue to deliver value decades after completion.

High-speed rail represents a similar long-term, nation-building investment. The challenge now is for our politicians, economists and commentators to demonstrate the same vision and courage as earlier generations.