Sydney High Speed Rail Mini-Conference

High Speed Rail is on the move again in Australia, with the High Speed Rail Authority racing towards the halfway mark on its first business case. The Sydney High Speed Rail Mini-Conference provides a short course in how things are stacking up and where they are likely to be heading. Join HSR industry experts, business and political leaders, enthusiastic supporters and perennial sceptics in a late afternoon update on what could become Australia's most transformative public infrastructure investment.

International rail expert and friend of Australia, Prof Andrew McNaughton, headlines the Conference as keynote speaker. Prof McNaughton served as Chairperson of the NSW Government’s Fastrail Program from 2018 to 2020. In that role, McNaughton investigated upgrading rail links from Sydney to Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra and Orange. The final Fastrail report on these proposals was shelved by then-Premier Dominic Perrottet and has never been made public. What can he tell us about that?

Newly minted General Manager Customer, Place, and Operations of the High Speed Rail Authority, Graham Nelmes, will provide an update on the Sydney to Newcastle HSR Business Case and Pathway to Delivery Report. Prof Garry Glazebrook will share his recent report, Integrating Our Mega-Region, which explains how to maximise and accelerate HSR's impact on NSW cities and regions. Former MP John Alexander, who led federal government inquiries into high speed rail, regional development and housing during his ten year parliamentary career, will provide a top-down perspective on how to get and keep HSR on track in Australia.

Geoff Brunsdon AM will wrap up formal presentations by providing the business community's perspective on the importance of HSR to Australia's economy. Geoff is a career investment banker with deep experience in financial services, real estate and infrastructure sectors across M&A, equity and debt capital markets. Geoff’s current roles include Chairman of Queensland Investment Corporation and PayPal Australia as well as Senior Advisor to Platinum Partners.

A Panel Discussion and Networking Session over drinks and canapes will round out the Conference, providing opportunities for speakers and guests to mingle, exchange perspectives and build a consensus on the next steps for an Australian high speed rail network. 

Guests can arrive from 1:30pm to register, and grab a seat ahead of a 2pm (sharp) kick-off.