AUSTRALIA’s High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA), which started work in June 2023, is seeking world-leading experts to help develop and plan the country’s first high-speed line between Sydney and Newcastle.

The federal government is seeking tenders for eight work packages to help the HSRA produce a business case for the line by the end of this year. 

The eight packages include: project controls covering costs, schedule and risk; rail operation planning; first nations participation and engagement; and commercial, including delivery strategy and industry engagement.

The work will help inform important elements of the business case, including the proposed alignment, station locations, the train fleet, cost estimates and construction timescale.

The federal government has committed $A 500m ($US 329m) for planning and safeguarding land for the Sydney - Newcastle section of the proposed high-speed network and wants the business case to be completed by the end of this year.

HSRA will oversee the construction of the network, and coordinate with state and territory governments, industry, business and communities.

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