Fastrack Australia Reports
March 2024
This paper focuses on the implications of using an integrated network design for the Sydney-Newcastle corridor to double the current capacity to cater for anticipated population growth.
Maximising the use of both the existing and the new line can be achieved by enabling higher capacity intercity trains from Newcastle and the Central Coast to join the high-speed line at junctions at Hawkesbury River and at Tuggerah, and then proceed to Epping and Rosehill on the high speed line bypassing the Cowan Bank and Hornsby.
Adopting this approach allows the high speed line to be built in stages, with each stage enabling the introduction of new passenger services into the Central Coast and Hunter regions.
February 2024
This paper focuses on improving the long-distance passenger services on offer in Australia, which are at present a national disgrace. The establishment of a National Passenger Rail Operator will begin to move passenger rail into the 21st century. Specific rollingstock strategies are then recommended to expand and develop these services to modern standards in conjunction with rail infrastructure upgrades.
September 2023
This discussion paper and subsequent Rosehill paper proposes a new HSR route through Sydney via Rosehill instead of Central, as previously proposed. This takes advantage of Sydney’s emerging new east-west metro network. The study includes detailed analysis of alignments, station locations and designs and future operations.
June 2023
Australia’s federal system of government means that both state and federal governments have a role in the planning, funding, implementation and operation of rail services in Australia. We have proposed a governance structure for high speed rail that builds on the current arrangements for the Interstate Rail Network, spans both state and federal governments, delivers a national rail system with high speed and conventional lines, and opens the rail market for both passenger and freight services.
June 2023
This report examines how high-speed rail can benefit freight movement as well as passengers in the East Coast. It includes up-to-date information on overseas and local developments in rail freight, as well as data on road and rail freight movement between Sydney and Melbourne.
The report also provides a detailed analysis of how high-speed rail can accommodate fast freight trains as well as high-speed and fast passenger trains between the two cities. This can allow rail to handle 50% of future intercity freight as well as interstate, regional and commuter passengers.
May 2023
Three key factors are needed to ensure the benefits of faster connectivity are maximised for Canberra and the Capital Region:
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An active network of local stakeholders.
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Expansion of the light rail network to integrate new urban areas.
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Completion of development projects in key economic sectors .
January 2023
The staged implementation of high speed rail can power the growth of Australia. Countries around the world have upgraded existing conventional rail networks with high speed rail to promote regional growth and economic development.
This paper develops an approach to progressively realise regional economic benefits in the Sydney-Melbourne corridor by incrementally implementing sections of high speed track and rolling out new faster rolling stock.
Earlier Reports
East Coast Higher Speed Rail (2021)
A presentation by Garry summarising why HSR is needed now and a proposed implementation strategy for Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne HSR line
High Speed Rail – A New Approach (2021)
A detailed report by Garry examining the need for high speed rail in Australia, the recent developments in rail that will influence the way it is implemented, the rationale for an integration with conventional rail, the need to build up to faster services in stages, and why it should be started now.
Population Trends and Decentralisation Options (2021)
A detailed report by Garry examining the population trends in Australia to develop projections for the east coast high speed rail corridor. It proceeds to examine the potential for decentralisation in the corridor after the Covid pandemic including demographic groups to be targeted, and the capacity of the high speed line to cater for the proposed growth.
High Speed Rail for Regional Growth (Mar 2021)
A comprehensive report by Ross outlining the strategy to implement high speed rail for regional growth in Australia, along with summaries of the key references and examination of the role of the Australian Government, regional cities, and the rail industry to make it successful.