High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) has officially opened its office in Newcastle today, establishing the city as the birthplace of Australia’s first high-speed rail line.

Alongside the new office, HSRA has established an information centre, inviting the community to connect with the project and view potential station designs.

Community engagement will be critical to the success of the rail line, which will connect Newcastle to Sydney in about an hour, and the centre will form a hub for ongoing engagement. 

The designs provide a glimpse inside potential carriages as well as a mock-up of a station, revealing how it could be integrated into communities, paving the way for a new type of travel that complements existing transport services.

(An artist impression of a Business Class carriage)

A business case is on track to be delivered to the Australian Government at the end of this year, with experts from across Australia and around the world confirming the first stage of high-speed rail will unlock new homes, create new jobs and stimulate the economy. 

The High Speed Rail Authority Office and Community Information Centre opening in Newcastle was part of the Albanese Government’s $500 million commitment to planning an east coast high-speed rail network.

The proposed line from Newcastle to Sydney would use world-class trains capable of travelling up to 320 km/h on a dedicated railway line. They would have onboard high-speed Wi-Fi, food and beverage options, luggage storage and pet-friendly areas.

The information hub will officially open in the new year, but the community was invited for a first look today to witness the project as it comes to life. 

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said, “High-speed rail means generations of new opportunities for regional Australia, creating more jobs in more locations and giving people greater choices in where they live, work, study and play.

“Our transformational investment in high-speed rail will help shape Australia for decades to come.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said, “Newcastle will be the birthplace of high-speed rail in Australia, forever changing how we get around our great country.

“Our Government is committed to high-speed rail, which represents the next chapter in the economic story of Newcastle and the Hunter.

“The route will open a host of housing, employment and business opportunities for the region, as well as providing sustainable, low-emissions transport.

“I know that Novocastrians cannot wait to see this project come to fruition.”

High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker said, “Journeys will be reliable, quick, convenient and comfortable.

“Right now, we’re working on how to build a new railway in complex areas and the engineering challenges we would face.

“There would be stations in central Newcastle, the Central Coast and central Sydney with intermediate stations under consideration as part of business case work.

“From the Central Coast to Newcastle or to Sydney, the trip would be 30 minutes.”