The Federal Government, through the High Speed Rail Authority, is investigating the delivery of a high-speed rail network between Melbourne and Brisbane via Sydney.
The first section to undergo planning is between Sydney and Newcastle. The scope to be investigated includes:
- a dedicated high-speed rail alignment between Sydney and Newcastle
- new stations in Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle
- improvements to integrated transport networks
- trains capable of speeds greater than 250 km/h
- stabling, maintenance, rail systems and power upgrades, and
- corridor protection for connections to Brisbane and Melbourne.
Funding contributions
| Federal Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | High Speed Rail Authority |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Sep 2022 | The Federal Government allocated $500 million for planning, corridor acquisition and early works for the Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail as part of the 2022-23 Federal Budget (October). |
| Jan 2024 | The Federal Government released $78.8 million for the development of a business case for the Sydney to Newcastle section from the initial allocation of $500 million made in September 2022. This funding was allocated over three years from FY2023-24. |
| Mar 2024 | The Federal Government issued a Request for Tender (RFT) for eight work packages to support the delivery of the High Speed Rail Authority’s business case for the Sydney to Newcastle section of the proposed high-speed rail network. The work packages available for tender are: Project Controls Services; Network Rail Operations Planning Services; Economics, Funding and Financing, Demand Modelling and Economic Development Strategy; Transport Land Use and Property Advisory Services; Commercial, Delivery Strategy and Industry Engagement Services; First Nations People Participation and Engagement Services; First Nations People Cultural and Heritage Advisory Services; and Technical, Advisory, Environment and Sustainability, Community and Stakeholder Engagement. RFTs closed between 12 and 19 April 2024. |
| Jun 2024 | The Federal Government awarded contracts for the eight work packages to support the Business Case for the project. The successful contractors are: - Project Control Services (Costs, Schedule and Risks) - KPMG - Economics, Funding and Financing, Demand Modelling and Economic Development Strategy - EY - Commercial, Delivery Strategy and Industry Engagement - EY - Transport, Land Use and Property - WSP - Technical Advisory, Environment and Sustainability, Community and Stakeholder Engagement - WSP and Arcadis - High Speed Rail Network Operations Planning - Arup - First Nations Participation and Engagement - GHD, and - First Nations Culture and Heritage - GHD. Additionally, RPS will be leading the Business Case management. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
