Why VFT might, finally, happen

A growing chorus is calling for government to ‘bite the bullet’ and invest in a very fast train connecting Sydney to Newcastle.

Alex Reid – with his partner Jess McAviney and kids Sophie, 9, and Alaska, 3 — rents in Miranda. The family would happily move to Newcastle if a high speed rail option was available to them. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It’s the idea that has been revived and killed ahead of every election for four decades — but now a growing chorus is calling for government to “bite the bullet” and invest in a very fast train connecting Sydney to Newcastle.

Experts have backed the view of former NSW Transport Minister David Elliott that a very fast train (VFT) – travelling up to 250km/h – between Sydney, The Central Coast and Newcastle would alleviate housing pressure in Sydney.

The VFT pipedream was first floated in 1979 with premiers and prime ministers periodically whipping it out ever since.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a long record of supporting VFTs and high speed rail travelling at up to 350km/h, giving Australia its best shot at getting shovels in the ground after four decades.

Mr Elliott praised the appointment in January of Tim Parker – who delivered the Sydney Metro – to High Speed Rail Authority CEO to help make the fast train a reality.

Mr Elliott revealed he was asked for his advice on the proposal when Labor was in opposition and Mr Elliott was Transport Minister.

“There seemed to be general consensus it had to occur,” he said. “I’m looking at the housing targets and we might as well give ourselves a 50-year lead time. We have to start somewhere.”

Experts have backed a very fast train (VFT) connecting Sydney to Newcastle.

Mr Elliott said his former colleagues, ex-premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Mike Baird, signed up to spend millions on the North Sydney metro “knowing full well they probably won’t be around to cut the ribbon when it’s done”.

University of Technology Sydney Civil Engineering expert Dr Behzad Fatahi said VFTs were “definitely possible”, however “the cost of construction is high but the return on that could be low due to the smaller populations.

“It’s definitely possible but the only challenge is the cost.”

UNSW Director of the City Futures Research Centre Bill Randolph said improving rail connectivity can be “very effective” in shifting people to the regions but the government would have to balance the cost to travellers.

Alex Reid, who works in the transport industry, rents in Miranda with his partner and two daughters because they can’t afford to buy.

He said a VFT would be a game changer and allow buying an affordable regional home but still commute to his Sydney job.

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Originally published as Why VFT might, finally, happen