The phase one report establishes indicative corridors, options for station locations, high level costs, and forecasts about patronage, and some comparative analysis of potential social and regional development impacts.

Corridors short-listed for further analysis in phase 2 were:

• Coastal corridors between Brisbane and Newcastle, with potential variations around coastal cities and the Gold Coast.
• The Central Coast corridor between Newcastle and Sydney.
• The Hume Highway and Princes Highway corridors between Sydney and Canberra, via Southern Highlands.
• The Hume Highway corridor between Canberra and Melbourne, via Riverina, Murray, and with a potential route option via the Goulburn Valley.

The following city centre station locations were short-listed for further analysis in phase 2:

• Roma Street Station and South Bank in Brisbane.
• Central Station, Eveleigh, Homebush and Parramatta in Sydney.
• Southern Cross Station and North Melbourne in Melbourne.
• Civic and Canberra Airport in Canberra.

According to the report, patronage demand analysis suggests that central business district (CBD) locations would be the major trip generator and attractor in each city, therefore Sydney and Melbourne airports have not been short-listed. Further analysis has been recommended in phase 2 to confirm assumptions made in phase 1 regarding demand for access to air services.

The phase 1 study has identified an access corridor in Melbourne which passes close to Melbourne Airport. “While HSR services will not provide suitable Airport Rail Link services, there are potential synergies from the joint use of an access corridor and infrastructure by HSR and the proposed Airport Rail Link services between Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport and the city’s CBD, ” states the report.

A more detailed analysis (including analysis of financial viability) will be carried out in phase two, which is expected to be completed around mid 2012.

Download the report here >>>

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