Manufacturing capabilities will form part of the next stage of planning for Australia’s High Speed Rail, with three major construction consortia shortlisted to develop plans for the Newcastle to Sydney route.
The High Speed Rail Authority has selected the Acciona John Holland Joint Venture, Advanced Alliance Joint Venture and GoFar Joint Venture to participate in an Early Contractor Involvement process for the section between Berowra and Ourimbah.
The area package includes about 35km of twin tunnels, construction of the Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford, and the installation of rail and station systems and associated infrastructure.
The Australian Government said the process will help finalise the project’s cost, scope, design and approvals as it progresses through the Development Stage. No major construction contract will be awarded until the government’s decision-making process is complete.
As part of the delivery planning, the three consortia will consider the use of advanced manufacturing, including automation, robotics and precision manufacturing.
The government said an Advanced Manufacturing Facility could support more efficient railway construction while creating skilled jobs and opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the shortlisted consortia would be tasked with identifying approaches that balance construction requirements with value for money.
“We said we’d go metre by metre, and carefully plan the first stage of High Speed Rail between Newcastle and Sydney,” King said.
“The three consortia will determine the best and most innovative ways to drive tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, while ensuring Australians get value for money.”
High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker said the project would draw on Australia’s existing tunnelling and construction expertise as detailed planning progresses.
“Over the past 15 years, Australia has developed a world-class tunnelling industry with hundreds of kilometres of tunnels built here,” Parker said.
The ECI process will examine technical requirements including tunnel dimensions, the type of tunnel boring machines required and the construction of the proposed Gosford station.
The government said the proposed high-speed rail system would allow travel between Newcastle and Sydney in around one hour, with journeys between the Central Coast and either city taking about 30 minutes.
King said the project was being planned in response to congestion on roads between Newcastle and Sydney and capacity constraints on the existing rail line.
“We must invest in new ways to travel between New South Wales’ largest cities,” she said.
