All Aboard: Broadmeadow Chosen as Preferred High-Speed Rail Location
Newcastle City Council has thrown its full support behind establishing Broadmeadow as the city's stop on the proposed Sydney to Newcastle high-speed rail line. In a unanimous decision during Tuesday's meeting, councillors also committed to advocating for a fast and direct public transport connection to Newcastle Airport, addressing a significant current gap in the region's infrastructure.
Creating a Central Transport Hub for the Hunter
Labor Councillor Declan Clausen highlighted the transformative potential of a "hub and spoke" model centred at Broadmeadow. He noted that despite some community cynicism, momentum is building for the high-speed rail project. "We've already got the suburban heavy rail, we'll have the future connected light rail, we'll have high-speed rail and we'll have bus, rapid transport and other transport networks," Cr Clausen said. He emphasised that connecting this hub directly to Newcastle Airport is essential, calling the current lack of a timely bus link to the new international terminal "unbelievable."
Timeline and Advocacy for Better Airport Connectivity
The council's motion saw a shift in focus from an initial proposal by Liberal Cr Callum Pull for a direct fast rail extension to the airport. Instead, councillors voted to collaborate with Newcastle Airport and Port Stephens Council on joint advocacy to state and federal governments for any fast and direct public transport option. While Labor Cr Paige Johnson expressed concerns that extending the high-speed line itself to the airport could erode its speed benefits, she strongly supported improving airport connectivity, describing high-speed rail as "nation-building infrastructure."
The first stage of the high-speed rail project is proposed to run from Newcastle to the Central Coast, with construction potentially starting in 2027 and services commencing by 2037. Expansion to Sydney Central is expected by 2039, and to Western Sydney International Airport by 2042. The council will now formally write to the High Speed Rail Authority and the federal infrastructure minister, reinforcing its position that Broadmeadow is the optimal location due to its central position, existing rail infrastructure, and proximity to the planned sports and entertainment precinct and future housing for over 20,000 new homes.
