The New South Wales Government proposed a vision for the development of a high speed rail network across the state, identifying four potential routes:
• The Northern Corridor, linking Central Coast, Newcastle, Taree to Port Macquarie;
• The Western Corridor from Lithgow, Bathurst to Orange / Parkes;
• The Southern Inland Corridor connecting Goulburn and Canberra;
• The Southern Coastal Corridor offering connection from Wollongong to Nowra.
Preparing the Fast Rail Network Strategy in 2019 is the first significant step in taking the network from vision to delivery. The government will commence work on the first stage of the fast rail network in the next term of government.
The government has appointed Professor Andrew McNaughton to lead an expert panel to provide advice to the Premier and Deputy Premier on how the government should best deliver a fast rail network to connect the state. McNaughton has more than 45 years’ experience working on rail infrastructure projects. He is a Strategic Adviser to the UK’s High Speed 2 project.
The panel will identify opportunities for regional growth and improved services and present the blueprint for how the government will deliver the network. Four potential routes have been identified as the starting point for investigation into a NSW fast rail network. The panel will consider the possible network and advise on staging and delivery options.
The government is committed to moving from high-level vision to planning and on to delivery. The Fast Rail Network Strategy will present a blueprint for how the network could be delivered. Having a strategy will ensure future investment decisions on fast rail are well considered.
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