There is just enough time. There could be a high-speed rail link between Canberra and Sydney before the 2000 Olympics. It is not that the Olympics should drive the whole project, but it is true that the Olympics and the associated euphoria mean that a high-speed rail link could be built several years before it would otherwise be due because of the Olympics. There is a tide in the affairs of men which taken at the flood lead on to fortune.
The decision by the Commonwealth Government this week to join the ACT and NSW Governments in seeking expressions of interest in the project is welcome. The ground rules are fairly sound: no drain on public finances; reasonable conservation requirements; and a level playing field for all tenderers. The several governments should look at all with an open mind.
Several consortiums have already indicated that the project can be made economic. The fast train project has a lot of merit. It will relieve the congestion at Sydney airport and provide a cheaper and more convenient link between Canberra and Sydney. Passengers will get a link between Canberra and the Sydney CBD for a fraction of the cost of the present air and taxi option. Moreover, it is likely to take about the same amount of time but be more convenient because travellers will not have to change between taxi and air and air and taxi. They will be able to use their telephone the whole way and be able to plug their computers into the phone network and get useful work done on the train where they will have more room. The interrupted airline and taxi journey does not afford the same sort of opportunity.
The train should go past Canberra airport which should be upgraded to take international freight and passengers.