Shortlisted consortia announced for Australia's High Speed Rail development

The Australian Government’s proposed High Speed Rail is taking a major step forward as it progresses further into the Development Phase, with the announcement of shortlisted proponents to take part in the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process for the Newcastle to Sydney project.

Three major construction consortia have been shortlisted and will compete to develop plans for Area Package 1, the section of the Newcastle to Sydney route between Berowra and Ourimbah.

After a competitive tender process, the following consortia have been shortlisted for this package:

• Acciona John Holland Joint Venture
• Advanced Alliance Joint Venture – comprised of Gamuda Engineering, FCC Construction Australia, Samsung C&T Corporation
• GoFar joint Venture – comprised of CPB Contractors, Ferrovial Construction (Australia), VINCI Construction Grands Projects Australia

The High Speed Rail Authority will select a successful proponent to undertake the delivery of Area Package 1, which includes:

• About 35 kilometres of twin tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, delivered using tunnel boring machines
• Construction of the Central Coast High Speed Rail Station at Gosford
• Installation of all rail and station systems and other structural and surface infrastructure works across the Berowra to Ourimbah section of the corridor

“We said we’d go metre by metre, and carefully plan the first stage of High Speed Rail between Newcastle and Sydney. That’s what we’re delivering with these new contracts.

“The three consortia will determine the best and most innovative ways to drive tunnels between Berowra and Ourimbah, while ensuring Australians get value for money.

“We know the roads between Newcastle and Sydney are congested, and the existing rail line is reaching capacity. We must invest in new ways to travel between New South Wales’ largest cities. That’s why this careful planning work is getting underway.

“I look forward to seeing what these three consortia come up with,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“Over the past 15 years, Australia has developed a world-class tunnelling industry with hundreds of kilometres of tunnels built here – now we’ll be working with some of the best of the best on Australia’s High Speed Rail.

“This is the critical step of the Development Phase for the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project.

“Our tunnelling and construction experts will now work with us to map out the best high speed rail route between Newcastle and Sydney: things like the diameter of the tunnels we will build for Australia’s first high speed trains, what kind of mega tunnel boring machines we need and ow we build the first high speed rail station at Gosford,” High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker said.

Source: High Speed Rail Authority

Just days after the announcement of the shortlist for Area Package 1, the Australian Government announced three more shortlisted proponents to design and develop the nation’s first high speed trains and systems.

The global rail manufacturers and suppliers that will be participating in the ECI process include:

• Alstom/UGL Joint Venture – comprised of Alstom Transport Australia and UGL Engineering
• ARC Joint Venture – comprised of Siemens Mobility, Siemens Mobility GmbH, and Mott MacDonald Australia
• Hitachi Rail STS Australia

These proponents will base their work on proven trains and systems already operating successfully around the world, supported by globally experienced designers, systems integrators and engineering firms, and adapt them to Australian conditions.

The successful contractor for the Trains, Systems and Systems Integration package will undertake:

• The supply of Australia’s first high speed trains
• The design and delivery of rail systems, the depot and operations control centre
• The integration, testing and commissioning of the Newcastle to Sydney high speed rail system

The competitive approach to the ECI process will deliver the best outcome on construction costs as well as program timeframes.

This ECI process is helping the High Speed Rail Authority in finalising the cost, scope, design and approvals for the High Speed Rail project, to get it construction-ready and allow the Australian Government to make an investment decision at the end of the Development Phase.

The ECI process will also refine and integrate mature, proven train and rail technologies for the project rather than developing a bespoke system from scratch. Opportunities for Australian manufacturing, industry participation and workforce development will also be explored through this process, as part of adapting proposed solutions to Australian conditions.

In addition, the proponents for both packages will consider adopting advanced manufacturing to support the efficient delivery of High Speed Rail.

An Advanced Manufacturing Facility proposed by the High Speed Rail Authority would use automation, robotics and precision manufacturing to deliver the new railway more efficiently. The facility will also create skilled jobs as well as more opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers to deliver Australia’s High Speed Rail.

“Australia has a proud history of building trains here, and we are ready to drive resurgence on local industry.

“The three proponents we have shortlisted will take globally proven high-speed rolling stock and systems and adapt them for Australian High Speed Rail, Australian conditions and Australian passengers.

“Through this process, the proponents will explore where we can use existing Australian rail manufacturing capability and advanced manufacturing facilities to support local jobs, and train the next generation of skilled Australian workers,” Minister Catherine King said.

“We’re not starting from scratch – Australia’s High Speed Rail will use tried and tested high speed trains and systems already operating successfully around the world. Our partners will work with us to adapt proven technology for Australian conditions, Australian safety requirements and the needs of Australian passengers.

“High Speed Rail is about much more than just speed. We want a reliable, accessible, comfortable and digitally-connected service that transforms the way people travel between Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney.

“Bringing the train and systems partners into the project now means we can design the railway around the customer experience from the start,” Mr Tim Parker said.

Once completed, High Speed Rail Line 1 – Newcastle to Sydney will enable travelling between Newcastle and Sydney in just one hour on a dedicated new railway and high speed trains running up to 320km/h. Meanwhile, journeys from Central Coast to either Newcastle or Sydney will take just around 30 minutes.

The entire High Speed Rail network will connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia.

No major construction contract will be awarded until a government decision-making process is completed after the Development Phase has ended.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (1, 2); Australian Government – High Speed Rail Authority