Australia’s High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) has awarded eight consultancy contracts for the development of Sydney – Newcastle HSR business case.
The winners for the eight work packages are the following:
- Project control services (costs, schedule and risks): KPMG
- Economics, funding and financing, demand modelling and economic development strategy: EY
- Commercial, delivery strategy and industry engagement: EY
- Transport, land use and property: WSP
- Technical advisory, environment and sustainability, community and stakeholder engagement: WSP and Arcadis
- High speed rail network operations planning: Arup
- First nations participation and engagement: GHD
- First nations culture and heritage: GHD
The selected advisers will support High Speed Rail Authority to plan and develop the East Coast high speed rail network, connecting Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle.
The Sydney – Newcastle HSR business case will determine important elements of the network, including proposed corridor alignment, station locations, fleet, cost estimate and construction timeframes.
It will be an opportunity to benchmark best practice and explore lessons learnt from high-speed rail networks across the globe.
The Albanese Government has committed AUD 500 million (USD 330 million) for the planning and corridor protection of the Sydney to Newcastle section and established the High Speed Rail Authority to conduct the work independently.
The HSRA will work closely with state, territory and local governments, industry and peak groups, community and first nations stakeholders on business case development.
The first major milestone will be progressing with onsite studies like geotechnical investigations to test ground condition. This will help inform high-speed rail corridor alignment and station locations.
The business case is expected to be presented to Government by the end of this year.
With 14.9 million passengers annually, Sydney to Newcastle is the busiest intercity rail line in Australia.
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