Have your say: financing faster rail, connecting Australians to housing, jobs and services

| October 23, 2019

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities has launched its inquiry into options for financing faster rail. Submissions close Friday, 6 December 2019.

Committee Chair, Mr John Alexander OAM MP, said ‘fast rail connections between our capital cities and regional centres will strengthen economic and social ties and connect people to housing, jobs, and services.’

In addition to providing funding for the construction of the Geelong to Melbourne fast rail, the Government has identified several fast rail corridors in its Faster Rail Plan, including:

  • Brisbane to Sunshine Coast;
  • Brisbane to Gold Coast;
  • Brisbane to Toowoomba;
  • Sydney to Newcastle;
  • Sydney to Wollongong;
  • Sydney to Canberra;
  • Sydney to Parkes (via Bathurst and Orange)
  • Melbourne to Greater Shepparton;
  • Melbourne to Albury-Wodonga;
  • Melbourne to Traralgon; and
  • Melbourne to Ballarat.

Work is currently underway to assess the viability and requirements, with the Government currently funding the development of business cases for several of these fast rail corridors.

Mr Alexander emphasised that, ‘to ensure that we get the most out of these essential infrastructure projects, it is imperative that we consider the innovative funding models for major rail projects that are utilised both in Australia and around the world’.

The inquiry’s terms of reference are: Options for financing faster rail.

Submissions are being sought by Friday, 6 December 2019. Submissions can be made online or by emailing ITC.reps@aph.gov.au.

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