Speedrail Chosen to Deliver Rail Infrastructure of the Future

Issue Date:  04 August 1998
Issued By:  The Speedrail Group

The Sydney to Canberra high-speed train project would change forever the way Australians thought about transport, communication and regional Australia, Leighton Holdings CEO, Wal King said today.

Speaking on behalf of the Speedrail Group, which was today selected as the preferred proponent for the high-speed rail link, Mr King said, "Visionary infrastructure projects like this only come along once or twice in a lifetime. When they do, they unite and inspire the nation."

"Just as the Harbour Bridge, the Snowy Mountains Scheme and the Opera House projects ignited the imagination of Australians at various stages in the 20th century, the high speed train project will again inspire Australians as we head into the new century," he said.

Mr King said Leighton, Australia's largest construction company, and its joint venture partner in Speedrail, world leading energy and rail transport company, ALSTOM, were proud to be investing in the landmark infrastructure project.

"We are choosing to invest money in Australia because both our organisations see enormous potential for growth domestically and for this country to be a leader in the region," Mr King said.

"Infrastructure is a key component in securing Australia's future. The opportunities for increased employment and growth provided by this project will invigorate the nation's economic health and, importantly, inject confidence back into rural Australia.

"We are confident our consortium can deliver on this promise because not only are we using the best technology, we know it will provide a net economic gain to government based on ALSTOM's experience overseas.

"Our bid documents were extremely comprehensive and we expect to be able to commence construction in 18 months."

Mr King said the Speedrail train was based on ALSTOM's proven 320km/h TGV technology. TGVs operate in France, Belgium, Spain, Britain, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, and soon in the USA and Korea.

ALSTOM Australia's Managing Director, Sandy Elliot said more than 400 TGV trains are in use around the world today, with many more expected to go into service.

"The TGV represents proven rail technology. With extensive ongoing research and development, it will continue to be the leading high speed rail system in the world," Mr Elliot said. "TGV trains, developed jointly by ALSTOM and SNCF (French National Railways), have safely carried more than 500 million passengers over 1 billion kilometres across an ever-expanding network of dedicated high speed lines.

"The Sydney-Canberra service will have the capacity to carry up to 4 million passengers a year on 48 services a day (24 each way) departing at 45 minute intervals with an express service journey time of 81 minutes.

"Passengers will also enjoy QANTAS' superior standards of service provided through its role in passenger handling and the provision of on-board service.

"Passengers will be able to earn frequent flyer points and enjoy all the facilities provided by QANTAS, including club membership, under a special code sharing arrangement between QANTAS and Speedrail that will link both domestic and international plane travellers to their Speedrail journey," Mr Elliot said.

In economic terms, Mr Elliot said an independent analysis conducted for the Speedrail Group showed the potential for a net-economic benefit to the Australian economy of $5.9 billion from the Speedrail project.

"For the 45 month construction period, more than $3.5 billion will be injected into the economy creating more than 15,000 construction jobs and a further 1,800 permanent direct jobs once the service is opened in 2003," Mr Elliott said.

Planned stops on the route will include Sydney Central, the domestic and international terminals on the new airport railway, Campbelltown, the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Canberra.

Some services will start at Parramatta rather than Sydney Central. Additional track to be built by Speedrail along the East Hills to Campbelltown route to facilitate this will ensure improved services for commuters on existing train services.

Freight capacity on existing track will also be enhanced under the Speedrail bid. The Speedrail route along a new corridor means there will be no need to mix fast and slow train services on existing tracks.

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For further information:
Michael Sharp ph: (02) 9552 4499 24hrs
Kate Schulze ph: (02) 9925 6026