High Speed Rail Working Group

Following the announcement by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, of a feasibility study to determine the economic benefits and financial viability of a high speed rail network along the Australian east coast, Federal Labor MPs, Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones asked RDA Illawarra to explore how our region could be part of such a network.

A Working Group was established to gather evidence for a strategic direction on how the Illawarra could be part of a high speed rail network between Brisbane and Melbourne. The Working Group consulted with key stakeholders and conducted a public survey to determine the need and level of local support for the network within the region. Using the input received from the consultations and survey, a submission has been prepared and sent to AECOM and to Infrastructure Australia outlining the strong support for the inclusion of the Illawarra region in a high speed rail link.

Overall, feedback suggests the link would improve connectivity and productivity in the region, as well as improving liveability and sustainability.  The submission highlights the economic, social and environmental advantages of a high speed rail link to the Illawarra.

A copy of the submission is available here.