Shane Rattenbury today detailed some of the opportunities that high speed rail could bring to Canberra at an address at Parliament House.
“High speed rail connecting Canberra and Australia’s east coast cities would be a monumental nation-building project, transforming travel in Australia and opening up Canberra and the region to great new opportunities,” said Mr Rattenbury.
“Canberra is shaping up as an ideal city for a high speed rail station and Canberra-Sydney is an obvious first route on any east coast high speed rail network.
“The Sydney-Canberra line has a comparatively high forecasted return and a comparatively low cost of construction. With a journey time of only one hour it has the potential to attract high patronage and displace air travel.
“The ACT Government’s strategic planning for future developments and projects in the region will complement a future high speed rail connection and maximise the positive economic, transport and sustainable development opportunities.
“We are progressing Canberra’s first light rail network, which will provide significant economic and development opportunities for Canberra, contributing to denser transport corridors and a
compact city form, even as we grow.