All aboard as high-speed rail accelerates with first investigation works

Nearly thirty boreholes being drilled in New South Wales will support critical geotechnical investigations required to determine the locations for the Albanese Government’s High-Speed Rail between Sydney and Newcastle.

The geotechnical investigations are being undertaken by the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) as part of the business case being developed for the first stage linking Sydney and Newcastle.

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

We are planning for a high-speed rail network that will connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia. 

The first stage will connect Newcastle to Sydney – a nationally significant corridor – to create a fast, reliable and regular link between the two largest cities in NSW.

Work has started on drilling 27 boreholes in key areas between Newcastle and Sydney to better understand geological conditions along the route. The information from this work will help in:

• determining the proposed depths of new rail tunnels;
• assessing geological and geotechnical conditions to cross the Hawkesbury River; and 
• understanding the geological complexities of traversing the escarpment into the Central Coast and on to Newcastle. 

We have committed $500 million for the planning and corridor protection of the Sydney to Newcastle 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.