There has been quite a lot of recent media about the proposed High Speed Rail. In essence, the Australia Government is planning for a future high speed rail network connecting Brisbane through to Melbourne. Line 1 is proposed to connect Newcastle to Sydney.
My sense is that there is general support for the concept of the high speed rail – however, at this stage, little detail or community engagement.
Mayor Lawrie McKinna moved a Mayoral Minute that supports a motion that Lake Macquarie Council is submitting to the National General Assembly of Local Government. It calls on the Australian Government to progress the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail route as proposed in the Infrastructure Evaluation Report. The Mayoral Minute also called on the Australian Government to increase frequency and transparency of information published.
I moved an amendment for Council to give “in principle” support, and also requesting that the High Speed Rail Authority provide bi-monthly presentations to Council on the initiative.
Unfortunately, the Mayor declined to incorporate these changes in his Mayoral Minute.
The amendment was not successful. Only Clr Lamont and myself supported the amendment – with Labor, Liberal and Team Central Coast Councillors voting against it.
The Mayoral Minute was then put – and was supported unanimously.
My support is for the concept of the high speed rail, however, I am cautious of the “devil in the detail”. I believe that it is important for Council to be more fully engaged in this project with bi-monthly presentations that provide an opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.
~24 February 2026
