The Australian government has introduced a legislation to establish a high-speed rail (HSR) authority. The authority will build on previous work, including a comprehensive study commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure, which found HSR was not only viable but would return over €1.35 (AU$2) for every €0.68 of investment. The priority of the authority will be to plan and carry out corridor works for the Sydney – Newcastle section of the future HSR network, which is backed by a €339 million commitment from the government. Other sections of the HSR network are planned to eventually connect Brisbane and Melbourne, and also serve Canberra, Sydney and regional centres. The authority’s board will comprise experts in the rail and infrastructure sector, who will provide independent advice to governments on planning and delivery. The authority will also be the lead agency coordinating the project with the federal states and territories.
