How to make fast trains1:25
Take a glimpse at the construction of fast trains in Italy, similar to the government's plan for our own high-speed line. Video: Alstom
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to lay out a plan to fund national infrastructure projects. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/AAP
MALCOLM Turnbull is set to announce a radical new funding plan that could see a hopes for a high speed rail network for Australia’s east coast finally start to speed up.
The Prime Minister has previously lent support to plans for a fast train in Sydney for starters, with a view to building a larger high-speed rail network, but hasn’t been able to explain how his cash-strapped government would hope to pay for it.
Now it looks like a new funding system for nation-building projects, including contributions from the private sector, could see the government bring a fast train plan to this year’s election.
According to The Australian, the Prime Minister is set to unveil his cities policy, which will include a proposal for changes to Australian infrastructure projects.
A fast train from Sydney’s CBD to Badgerys Creek — the site of the city’s second airport — is said to be the government’s first priority. The western Sydney route is planned to be extended afterwards with links to regional centres, with a similar plan in the works to link Melbourne to its regional neighbour Shepparton.
The links would lay the foundation for a long-term fast train network eventually running the nation’s east coast from Melbourne to Brisbane.
Malcolm Turnbull doesn’t mind a train, but is he serious about building a really fast one?Source:News Limited
The Coalition favours a plan to build the fast rail lines in stages by a private consortium, The Australian reports.
Another option being floated is to introduce a “betterment tax” on property owners, though a Liberal MP has told the newspaper the politically unpopular proposal is unlikely to be pursued.
The new plan is the latest in a series of developments hinting towards the development of a fast train network for Australia.
Last month, the Prime Minister met with a mysterious company promising to “reshape Australia” with a fast train line linking Melbourne and Sydney.
Earlier in March, Mr Turnbull committed the government’s support for a fast rail link from Sydney’s CBD to Badgerys Creek.
The Opposition has been critical of the government’s lack of commitment to the project.
“The government has had almost three years to deliver more than an aspiration,” Opposition transport spokesman Anthony Albanese told news.com.au after Mr Turnbull’s pledge to build the Badgerys Creek fast train.
London’s Heathrow Express fast train. Could we be seeing something similar in Australia?Source:Supplied
The fast train dream has been under consideration for decades, but little progress has been made.
A 2013 report commissioned by the Gillard Government projected a high-speed rail network connecting Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne would cost about $114 billion.
An independent report released the following year found a similar route could be built for $84 billion.
Speaking on Today, the Nine Network’s finance editor Ross Greenwood dismissed the Prime Minister’s proposal as electioneering.
“The only time we ever hear about high-speed rail link is before an election,” he said.
“The question is, is he serious or not.”
Australia is the only continent — with the exception of Antarctica — without fast trains.
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét