AECOM, bd infrastructure and several specialist consultancies have been selected as the environmental planning and assessment adviser for the development phase of Australia’s Newcastle-Sydney High Speed Rail project.
The appointment covers a two-year period in which the team will act as client-side advisors to the High Speed Rail Authority.
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The group comprises AECOM, Artefact Heritage, bd infrastructure, Biosis, and IRIS Visual Planning + Design. It is responsible for preparing environmental impact assessments, overseeing biodiversity and heritage approval processes, and shaping the environmental strategy for the project.
These activities aim to prepare the Newcastle to Sydney section for construction and to support an investment decision by the Australian Government.
AECOM Australia and New Zealand region chief executive Mark McManamny said: “We are proud to have been selected for a project of this significance.
“Together with bd infrastructure and our specialist partners, we’ve assembled a team with the experience needed to help navigate the environmental and planning challenges that come with a project of this scale.”
bd infrastructure managing director Jesse Death said: “We are incredibly excited to partner with AECOM to help deliver the required planning approvals for High Speed Rail.
“It is a unique opportunity to help shape nationally significant infrastructure that will create generations of opportunities for Australian cities, regions and communities.”
The Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail, referred to as Line 1, plans to introduce new trains capable of speeds up to 320km/h.
Journeys between Newcastle and Sydney could be reduced to around one hour, compared to current travel times of up to three hours by road or train.
Proposed station locations include central Newcastle, the Central Coast, central Sydney, Lake Macquarie, Parramatta, and Western Sydney International Airport.
The existing railway between Sydney and Newcastle, opened in the 1880s, is the busiest regional rail line in Australia and carries approximately 15 million passengers per year. The line is expected to operate at maximum capacity by the early 2040s.
As part of the development phase, three international groups, namely the Alstom/UGL joint venture (JV); ARC JV; and Hitachi Rail STS Australia, have been shortlisted to participate in an early contractor involvement process for the trains and systems contract package.
This process will refine design, cost and approvals to adapt established high-speed technology to Australian conditions and prepare the project for a final government decision on construction.
In May, Singapore’s National Environment Agency selected a JV comprising AECOM, Binnies, and Ramboll, to deliver multi-disciplinary consultancy services for the second phase of the integrated waste management facility.
