Please note: this is an old article
It was published in August 2012, so the information may be out-of-date.
Greater Shepparton City Council recently hosted an information session on High Speed Rail with guest speakers Bryan Nye, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Railway Association and Dale Budd, Member of the Reference Group for the Federal Government's current High Speed Rail Study both providing interesting and thought provoking presentations.
In October 2010 the Labor Government commissioned a feasibility study to determine the economic benefits and viability of a High Speed Rail network along the eastern coast of Australia. Phase One identified potential corridor routes, station options and costings. The cost to build the network has been estimated to be in the vicinity of $61-$108 billion. The estimation is expansive because it depends on which route and station combination is utilised.
The Phase One report short-lists Corridor 14a as the preferred route from Canberra to Melbourne, including Albury-Wodonga and Wagga Wagga, but excludes Shepparton. The report does however mention in three areas a "potential variation for access to Shepparton" (page 95), "potential deviations towards Shepparton (page 95) and on figure 6.1 clearly shows stations at both Wagga Wagga and Shepparton (page 136).
The Phase Two report will consider specific corridors, geotechnical issues, financing options, patronage and revenue forecasts and is expected to be completed later this year.
Hume Region Deputy Chair Jim O'Connor said "the High Speed Rail (HSR) network would provide greater connections and accessibility between regional areas and major cities, encourage tourism and improve the economy of regional areas, not to mention the reduced road congestion and reduced reliance on fossil fuels that this alternative transport would provide".
Greater Shepparton City Council developed a submission into the Phase One report articulating the advantages of Corridor 14a being the preferred route, with deviation to Shepparton.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) recently commissioned a study to assess the economic and social impacts of HSR in regional New South Wales and Victoria. The study found that "in today's dollars, a 250km/hr HSR network from Sydney to Melbourne will provide non-work related economic and social benefits to the regions (not capital Cities) worth an amazing $5.1 billion per annum" and that "a 250km/hr HSR link will increase the household income of regional Australians by 1.3 per cent per annum".
Manager Investment Attraction Geraldine Christou said "this is the equivalent of approximately $1,000 per regional Australian household which would be a significant advantage for people in our community".
Geraldine said other benefits included increased property values for regional Australia, much improved access to services such as specialised health care, improved social connectedness and better opportunities for the business and industry sector. "High Speed Rail offers businesses efficiency through shorter travel times and the opportunity to work whilst travelling. This more efficient transport mode provides the opportunity for regionally located businesses to attract skilled staff, given the positive impact High Speed Rail is proven to have on regional lifestyles".
Greater Shepparton City Council is currently developing a further submission to the High Speed Rail Study to incorporate new census data, and will lobby relevant Federal and State Ministers to ensure Shepparton is part of a preferred route in the Phase Two report.
A copy of the Phase One report can be accessed via here.