Goulburn Mulwaree (NSW) Mayor Geoff Kettle welcomed close to 100 local and interstate visitors to an open forum designed to inform attendees on the many benefits that a high-speed rail and efficient rail freight network could bring to regional Australia.

Cr Kettle said the forum aims to keep high-speed rail firmly on the agenda of state and federal governments while highlighting the importance of the rail freight networks.

“High-speed rail along the eastern seaboard is a no-brainer and at a time when governments are discussing the timing of a second Sydney airport, it needs to be factored into that debate,” said Cr Kettle.

“If Australia is to prosper economically and be environmentally efficient, we need a reliable transport system for both passenger and freight traffic.

“A high-speed link along the eastern seaboard combined with the opening up of the inland freight corridor is the only alternative, and forums such as this are designed to keep the issue in the public eye and in front of both state and federal governments.”

Australasian Railway Association (ARA) CEO Bryan Nye said the forum gave attendees a wealth of knowledge on high-speed and rail freight in Australia.

“Until now, the high-speed rail debate has been dominated by what it could do for capital cities and airports, but there is much more to the argument,” said Mr Nye.

“Global experience shows that high-speed rail will dramatically change where Australians live, work and how we travel.

“This means regional centres like Goulburn will benefit – faster connections will allow people to live regionally and commute to cities for work.

“As for freight, the fact is that Australia’s freight task is forecast to double nationally and treble along the east coast by 2030. Rail currently moves 951 million tonnes of freight each year, but we can move much more.” (142)