Sydney-Newcastle Rail: $700M Spent Before Groundbreaking

Federal spending for the long-awaited Sydney to Newcastle high-speed rail project is set to reach nearly $700 million before any construction commences. The current two-year development phase is crucial for securing route approvals, awarding contracts, and finalizing the design, ensuring the project is ready for groundbreaking.

This preparatory work, costing an additional $229 million for a total federal investment of almost $660 million, aims to lock in the project's scope and cost. Transport Minister Catherine King emphasized that this detailed planning ensures construction is built to last. The first stage alone is projected to boost the economy by $250 billion over 50 years and generate approximately 99,000 jobs.

Discussions about high-speed rail in Australia have spanned decades, with proposals linking major cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Prime Minister Albanese has acknowledged the project's long timeline, suggesting it won't be completed within his term but expressing hope for its realization in his lifetime, potentially involving private sector and international partnerships.

Concerns regarding the project's viability have been raised, particularly about powering the high-speed trains. Nationals leader David Littleproud stressed the need for a fixed energy system, questioning the project's feasibility without sufficient baseload power. Similar projects have also been proposed, such as one connecting Toowoomba to Brisbane.