WAGGA’S most powerful lobby group has welcomed another significant development in the campaign for high speed rail.
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On Thursday the prime minister’s office told The Daily Advertiser Mr Turnbull had met with a Melbourne-based infrastructure firm to hear the latest proposal for very fast trains.
Committee 4 Wagga (C4W) CEO Chris Fitzpatrick said the unsolicited pitch was another sign of growing momentum behind a plan which would put Wagga on the “business networking map”.
“The only stops on the latest plan are Sydney, Mittagong, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga, Shepparton and Melbourne,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“Such limited stops would create a significant business advantage for our city.
“The proposed connection hooks up with the Wagga airport, which will enhance the ability for people from nearby regions to access the rail link.
“It would also provide corridors for side-by-side alternate road transport routes, which will be good for local industry.”
Riverina MP Michael McCormack was circumspect about the significance of Thursday afternoon’s meeting, but said the transformational proposal had been “talked about at the highest levels” in recent days.
“I see the benefits high speed rail would bring to regional areas, especially cities such as Wagga, and I have regular discussion about it,” Mr McCormack said.
“It’s something we need to keep front of mind because it would be transformational for regions, tourism and people who need medical services in the city.
“Our government is into innovation and science and looking at 21st century opportunities.
The pitch was the latest in a series of proposals dating back to the 1990s, but momentum has been building since a federally funded study into the project’s viability estimating the cost at $112 billion.
Mr McCormack said an innovative business model had sparked renewed interest from international investors.
“When the time comes to doing a really thorough cost benefit analysis, I also see enormous opportunities there could be in value capture,” he said.
“The proponent buys up land around the various stations on the route and could recoup their investment from increased value of any shops or amenities rises.”
