Infrastructure Partnerships Australia (IPA) has welcomed the possibility of a major feasibility study for an east coast high-speed rail network, which if developed is said to reduce congestion and ease freight movements.
The support follows the recent announcement that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government would undertake a detailed feasibility and corridor study to determine the economic viability and identify potential routes for a high-speed rail network on the east coast of Australia.
According to IPA chairman Mark Birrell, the study into the economic case for high-speed rail will allow Australia to make informed decisions about future infrastructure and the country’s long-term transport mix.
“It is essential the governments work together now to start the conceptual planning for this proposal and reserve corridors for a fast rail service on the East Coast,” Birrell said.
“European or Japanese style fast rail is clearly a long-term aspiration for the nation, but the economic and environmental imperatives appear so high that the project’s full feasibility should be investigated and openly discussed now.”
The feasibility study is said to allow for seasoned debate about how much an east coast network would cost and the alignment options which will make it a viable proposition.
“When you consider Australia’s population growth to 2050, it’s pretty clear that high-speed rail must be considered on an economic and environmental basis,” he said.
“A well designed high-speed rail network would allow Australia to begin to deal effectively with some of the toughest public policy challenges like reducing congestion, easing freight movements and enhancing housing affordability."