Work has started on the New South Wales Central Coast to determine the best route for a proposed high-speed rail link connecting the region to Sydney in just 30 minutes.

The Albanese Government is planning for a future high-speed rail network to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia. 

The first stage connects Newcastle to Sydney via the Central Coast with a fast, reliable and regular link between the two largest cities in NSW.

Two drill rigs have started work on the Hawkesbury River at Brooklyn and at Brisbane Water in Gosford as part of geotechnical investigations to determine the optimum route alignment.

Assembling the two barges took three days. They will drill six boreholes, some to a depth of 140 metres, in locations within Brisbane Water and the Hawkesbury River, with the barge on the Hawkesbury River to operate for about two months.

The rock and sediment samples will be analysed, with the results helping inform construction methods and key details such as the design and depth of potential rail tunnels.

The geotechnical work – which involves about 27 boreholes in key areas between Newcastle and Sydney – helps with planning for rail tunnel depths, recognising the geological complexities of traversing the escarpment into the Central Coast and on to Sydney and Newcastle.

The work is being coordinated by the Australian Government’s High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) as part of the business case being developed for the first stage connecting Newcastle to Sydney.

High-speed rail will connect Australian regions, cities and communities – delivering more job and lifestyle choices, greater housing options and new economic opportunities.

The Albanese Government has committed $500 million for the planning and corridor protection of the Newcastle to Sydney section, and established the HSRA to conduct the work.

The business case for the Newcastle to Sydney stage is due to be delivered to the Government by the end of this year.

Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid:

“The Central Coast stands to benefit from the Australian Government’s nation-shaping investment in high-speed rail.

“Our Government is committed to high-speed rail so we can support a growing population, better link workers with job opportunities, and deliver sustainable, low-emissions transport.

“I know that the Central Coast community cannot wait to see this project come to fruition.”

Quotes attributable to High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker:

“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.”

ENDS