NSW fast rail network: Transport Minister to question department on what happened to $500 million in allocated funds
Transport Minister Jo Haylen is set to question what happened to more than $500 million in funding for the controversial NSW fast rail network. See what it means for commuters here.
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Transport Minister Jo Haylen has called for her own department to explain what has happened to more than half-a-billion dollars in taxpayer funds allocated to developing a plan for the long-promised NSW fast rail project.
In 2019, former deputy premier John Barilaro announced $295m for an investigation and plan into a fast rail network, with the Perrottet government committing an additional $274m to the same project in last year’s budget.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal $48m was spent on “early planning reports”, including engineering and environment studies for the controversial project.
However, Ms Haylen is yet to see any blueprints or reports for the project, despite a high-level briefing to update her on the multimillion-dollar infrastructure plan.
“Its important that we get clarity on what happened to this funding that was originally allocated by the former government,” Ms Haylen told The Daily Telegraph.
“The minister’s office will request a briefing from Transport for NSW regarding this funding allocation.”
It is understood cabinet members of the former Liberal government raised concerns with Transport for NSW over a “lack of planning reports” after the $48m had already been spent – resulting in the then-government ordering the department to stop spending any further taxpayer funds on the project.
However, calls from cabinet to halt all spending on the project in 2022 did not stop the NSW government from then allocating a further $274m over four years for “detailed planning and investigations for a future fast rail network”.
The project is now on the chopping block as part of the NSW government’s infrastructure review.
“Preliminary planning, together with key stakeholder engagement, was undertaken to investigate improved rail connections between Greater Sydney, Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange and Parkes,” a Transport for NSW spokeswoman said.
“This project was never completed under the former government.
“The project is subject to the Strategic Infrastructure Review of NSW’s infrastructure capital program – the review aims to ensure infrastructure investments are delivering the most benefits for passengers and communities and that they align with the NSW government’s priorities.”
In June this year, the federal government took the wheel on planning and development of the high speed rail network, according to a Transport spokeswoman.
The department briefed the government on early planning investigations and “corridor identification”.
“Early planning for fast rail includes a review of engineering and environmental constraints as well as an assessment of costs and benefits for a range of strategic options was completed to progress investigations into fast rail connections,” the spokeswoman said.
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