From Sydney to Newcastle in 60 minutes: Australia's first high-speed rail moves a step closer

Travel time between Sydney and Newcastle could drop to just one hour under Australia’s inaugural high-speed rail project. The next development phase is now underway and the federal government says construction could start by 2028, forming the first stretch of a proposed 1,800-kilometre East Coast line from Brisbane to Melbourne. The nearly $90 billion project promises faster commutes, regional housing growth and long-term productivity gains, despite public scepticism over cost and delays.