High speed rail: Sydney to Newcastle strategic business case
Client:
High Speed Rail Authority
Developing a strategic vision
We were engaged by the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) to provide integrated strategic advice on land use, planning, property and economic considerations to support the Strategic Business Case for the proposed Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail corridor.
Our work was centred on the development of a strategic vision and narrative for the corridor and extended beyond this to incorporate several other services. To support the vision, we assessed land use change potential across station precincts and the broader corridor, identifying opportunities for land use uplift attributable to HSR investment, drawing on our expertise in planning, urban design and economics. We also provided targeted advice on land acquisition strategy, including the identification of key considerations in corridor reservation and acquisition costs.
The outputs of our land use capacity and take-up analysis contributed to the population and employment modelling across the entire corridor, and also informed the detailed assessment of development potential for integrated station precincts, identifying opportunities to deliver value to the project through transit-oriented development.
We also supported the Transport Integration workstream and overarching station shortlisting process through inputs into the Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), evaluating land use change and economic uplift potential associated with each option. Our team provided regular updates and strategic briefings to the HSRA executive team and Board, ensuring alignment with broader policy objectives and investment priorities.
High Speed Rail is more than just a nation shaping infrastructure project. By connecting NSW’s two largest cities, it has the potential to unlock critical housing and connect people to services while boosting productivity.
A nation shaping project
The work culminated in the delivery of an overarching strategic land use vision for the corridor, informing the long-term economic and social value of the project and aligning local precinct ambitions with the transformative potential of high-speed rail. This work strengthened the Strategic Business Case and positioned the HSRA to engage effectively with government, stakeholders and the community.
