The development of a high speed rail network connecting Brisbane to Melbourne via Sydney has caused mixed reactions from the transport and logistics industries. Rita Mu writes.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) is urging the Federal Government to go ahead with the development of a high speed rail network, but the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) says the focus needs to be on addressing existing infrastructure problems.
The first stage of the implementation study of the high speed rail network was released by Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, on 4 August.
The project, which is estimated to cost between $61 billion and $108 billion, will have trains travelling at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour.With the new rail system, a trip between Sydney and Brisbane is estimated to take as little as three hours.
The ARA called the release of the first stage of the implementation study as a “monumental announcement” for rail.
“After decades of debate, high speed rail is finally getting traction in Australia,”ARA chief executive officer Bryan Nye said.
ALC chief executive, Michael Kilgariff, said the high speed rail link had the potential to boost freight operations but infrastructure constraints between Newcastle and Sydney, where passenger transport takes precedence over freight, needed to be addressed first.
“ALC backs the development of a fast rail link, which would take people off existing lines and enable freight to move more efficiently,” Kilgariff said. “But our support for the project is tempered by the fact that serious bottlenecks are occurring right now on the east coast. These are hampering the ability of the freight transport and logistics industry to meet rising levels of demand.”
“The government needs to ensure it gives attention now to infrastructure upgrades [between Newcastle and Sydney] by providing appropriate levels of funding to improve the efficiency of this bottlenecked region.”
Australian Logistics Council 02 6273 0755, www.austlogistics.com.au
Australasian Rail Association 02 6270 4501, www.ara.net.au