On track for high speed rail
The first stages of the development of a proposed high-speed rail network through the region linking Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney could be only a few years away, a meeting in Tocumwal heard.
Last Tuesday night’s meeting discussed Consolidated Land and Rail Australia’s ambitious plan to run a fast train network through Berrigan Shire, linked by eight new smart cities.
The community meeting, the first of its kind across Australia for CLARA, was organised by the Tocumwal Chamber of Commerce.
Unlike previous proposals, CLARA’s does not rely on government funding, instead planning to use venture capital to fund the project, along with several backers, and developing smart cities along the route.
CLARA co-founder and chair Nick Cleary said the group was looking into stage one of the plan, which included the link from Melbourne to Shepparton and the development of cities seven and eight.
This first stage could also include a potential link to Tullamarine Airport.
‘‘We’re looking at delivering a marketed proposal for us to put a bid to government in the first quarter of next year with an idea of tabled support from them by the end of next year,’’ Mr Cleary said.
‘‘Then to roll into a rezoning application with Greater Shepparton City Council and the State Government themselves to deliver a rezoning in the next three years to start construction we believe within four to five years.
‘‘The reason why it’s going through Tocumwal is we see Tocumwal as a tremendous part of the world, it’s an area that has a large landmass that has a tremendous character and historical nature to its in relation to its township, which are critical to any new town being established.’’
Mr Cleary said the rail line, which would be elevated, would not go directly through Tocumwal to avoid cutting the town and farmland in half.
‘‘Our premise is to establish a new substantial, greenfield smart city, about 10 to 15 minutes away from the existing town in order to help that town maintain its character and its historical nature and the lifestyle that people have become accustomed to there,’’ he said.
‘‘Having a new town within 10 to 15 minutes of Tocumwal will provide an access point to the high speed rail, being 35 to 45 minutes out from Melbourne.
‘‘But most importantly I think, it would provide a boost to the regional economy, to jobs, to helping the youth unemployment rate, to youth moving out of the area, and to provide a great opportunity to enhance and advance healthcare and other education opportunities.
‘‘There’s a good opportunity for a university to be in our new town.
‘‘All I’ll say is there’s a lot of advantages to outweigh the disadvantages, but its not to dismiss the disadvantages: they are there, but it’s about compromise.’’
Following research the group has done on available high-speed rail models around the world, their preferred option is a magnetic levitation system from Japan, which has the world record of 603 km/h and has a commercial speed of 504 km/h.
‘‘That’s one hour and 59 minutes from Sydney to Melbourne,’’ Mr Cleary said.
‘‘With eight stops, we’re looking at two hours and 49 minutes. We think that really does change the conversation, getting a train like this from the city, from the Tocumwal region, somewhere between 35-45 minutes out of Melbourne.
‘‘When people ask me why would people live here, it really changes the conversation substantially. It’s one of the main benefits we give back to the existing community as well.’’
‘‘It’s a wonderful project and we’re very excited to be delivering it.’’