31 October 2014 - The Australasian Rail Association (ARA) this week issued a discussion paper on the topic of a High Speed Railway between Melbourne and Brisbane.

The discussion paper, commissioned by ARA and completed by Aurecon, advocates the establishment of a High Speed Rail Development Office to realise the most effective high speed rail solution for Australia.

The discussion paper also assesses the range of potential benefits to the Australian community from high speed rail and highlights the very positive impact it could have on the economies of Australia’s regional centres as well as the national economy.

The paper touches on a range of issues that might benefit from further consideration, from innovative financing to a review of how estimated construction cost could potentially be reduced by implementing methodologies and approaches utilised on overseas HSR projects.

The ARA discussion paper says it has been demonstrated that high speed rail:

• Influences or changes the image of a city in a positive way
• Usually stimulates a change or redevelopment in land use
• Stimulates economic investment in brand new industries

For more information please visit: http://www.ara.net.au/