The Gladys Berejiklian government (NSW) has become the first mover in taking practical steps towards building fast rail infrastructure.
The panel will identify opportunities for regional growth and improved services, and present the blueprint for how the government will deliver the network. The panel will consider the possible network options and advise on staging and delivery strategies.
Professor McNaughton has more than 45 years' experience working on rail infrastructure projects. He is a Strategic Adviser to the UK's High Speed 2 project and Chair of the International Railway Union World InterCity and High Speed Forum. High Speed 2 is a new high-speed rail network being built in the UK. The first phase between London and Birmingham will be completed in 2026. High Speed 2 promises to be a catalyst for economic growth as faster and easier travel between Britain's economic hubs in the north and south will better connect industries and people.
Until now, limited work has been done on the potential for a fast rail network connecting regional cities within NSW. The NSW Fast Rail Network Strategy will, for the first time, provide a comprehensive assessment focused on connecting regional cities.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has made a submission to a government inquiry asking it to consider the benefits of the high-speed technology.
The hyperloop system would allow capsules contained within large tubes to travel as fast as aeroplanes, with a maximum speed of 1223km per hour.
At this top speed Australians could travel between Sydney and Melbourne in under 40 minutes, and the journeys between other major capitals would include Melbourne and Canberra (about 23 minutes), Canberra and Sydney (14 minutes), Sydney and Brisbane (37 minutes), and Adelaide to Melbourne in just over 30 minutes.
But the technology, which was first conceived by Elon Musk in 2012, has not yet been proven. No system has yet been built in the world, although Virgin Hyperloop One has built a full-scale test system in Nevada and HyperloopTT is constructing a short 320 metre system in France as part of a facility to test it.
It also wants the government to take a leading role in evaluating and regulating standards for the autonomous systems and to fund a study comparing various modes of autonomous travel.
Many are skeptical the point-to-point technology will work, although its potential benefits could be transformative. It remains unclear whether commercial Hyperloop systems will ever be widely adopted. As the global population swells and the environment declines, however, better mass transit systems will become essential.
Source: Charis Chang, "Sydney to Melbourne in 40 minutes: Hyperloop idea pitched to government", News.com.au, December 29, 2018. Aidan Wondracz, "Sydney to Melbourne in 40 MINUTES: Ultra high-speed trains could soon slash inter-state travel times across Australia with top speeds of more than 1220km/h", Daily Mail Australia, December 2018, 2018. Will Nicol, "What is the Hyperloop? Here's everything you need to know", Digital Trends, December 27, 2018.
Debra Beck-Mewing is the Founder and CEO of The Property Frontline. She has more than 20 years' experience in buying property Australia-wide, and is skilled in helping buyers use a range of strategies including renovating, granny flats, sub-division and development. Debra is experienced in identifying tailored opportunities, homes and sourcing properties that have multiple uses. She is a Qualified Property Investment Advisor, licensed real estate agent and also holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business. As a passionate advocate for increasing transparency in the property and wealth industries, Debra is a popular speaker on these topics. She is also an author, podcast host, Editor in Chief of Property Portfolio Magazine and participates on numerous committees including the Property Owners' Association.
Follow us on facebook.com/ThePropertyFrontline for regular updates, or book in for a strategy session to discuss your property questions.
Disclaimer – This information is of a general nature only and does not constitute professional advice. We strongly recommend you seek your own professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
