$295 million committed to fast rail in State Budget

The State Government has put its money where its mouth is for its ambitious plan for a fast rail network in NSW that would slash travel times between Sydney and regional cities.

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Fast rail linking Sydney to the Illawarra, Newcastle and beyond is on track, after a $295 million commitment in Tuesday’s State Budget.

Those funds will be used to plan the first stages of a slated fast rail network over the next four years, with $93 million secured in this year’s Budget.

Details outlined in the 2019-20 Budget included identifying an improved alignment north of Mittagong and duplication of the rail line between Berry and Gerringong.

A fast train slated for use under the Federal Government’s plan.

Planning of a new alignment between Sydney and Woy Woy was also outlined in the documents, as was improving rail connectivity to the state’s Central West.

In December Premier Gladys Berejiklian said work would start on an ambitious fast rail network in this term of government, identifying routes to Newcastle, Canberra, Parkes and Nowra.

It was predicted a trip from Sydney to Canberra would be slashed from four hours to three under a ‘faster’ 200km/h network, and down to just one hour on 250km/h ‘high-speed’ rail.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian announcing the fast rail plan in December. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

It would take just 30 minutes to get to Goulburn, Gosford and 45 minutes to Newcastle on a ‘high-speed’ train.

“We know a fast rail network will transform NSW unlike any other project and we will make it a reality,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We need to make it easier for people to consider moving to regional NSW and there is no better way to do that than building a fast rail network.”

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is also on board. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Tuesday’s concrete commitment came after Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in April also announced a business case for a fast train line from Sydney to Wollongong.

The Federal Budget also revealed business cases would also be developed for fast rail from Sydney to Newcastle, as well as Parkes via Bathurst and Orange.

“This plan includes $40 million for detailed assessments of five fast rail corridors from Sydney to Wollongong, Sydney to Parkes (via Bathurst and Orange), Melbourne to Albury Wodonga, Melbourne to Traralgon, and Brisbane to the Gold Coast,” Mr Frydenberg said at the time.