The discussion of a High Speed Train (HST) along the east
coast of Australia has rumbled on for decades. But now it's running into the Sydney airport issue. The government has recently released a study into the feasibility
of a HST system and is completing another report about a location for a
second Sydney Airport (SSA).
The Australian
Greens argued in late 2012 that a new report, commissioned by Greens Deputy
Leader Adam Bandt, outlined a strong economic case for High Speed Rail (HSR)
and removed the need to build a second airport for Sydney. The study also
concluded that $48 billion in benefits would accrue from a HSR network along
the East Coast from Melbourne, to Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. High
Speed Rail: Benefits that add up, A report for the Australian Greens, authored by Naomi Edwards, claimed that high-speed
rail would lead to shorter commute times, reduced congestion, fewer accidents,
and less pollution than existing transport options.
