Property Council Hunter and Central Coast Regional Director Nuatali Nelmes said a new Infrastructure Australia business case evaluation confirms what industry has long argued – that high-speed rail can be a catalyst for growth when backed by practical planning and delivery.
"Infrastructure Australia's report makes it clear: to get full value from high-speed rail, governments must align housing supply, workforce capability and infrastructure sequencing," Ms Nelmes said.
"The Property Council's Central Coast Taskforce and Hunter Committee have both expressed support for high-speed rail – for more jobs, private investment, and better connections.
"Our region is ready to deliver but we need a clear delivery structure that brings together the Commonwealth, NSW Government, local councils and industry. Transport feeder networks, precinct development, land use change and planning permissions are all required to realise the proposal's benefits," she said.
Ms Nelmes said the report recognised the Hunter and Central Coast's role as Australia's largest regional economy, highlighting this corridor will house 24% of Australia's population, 9.2 million people by 2061.
"You can't build a nation-shaping project in isolation. We must plan the homes, skills and local infrastructure that sit around the rail line from day one. Broadmeadow, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast precincts will only thrive if we can coordinate utilities, open space, transport and housing together, not years apart," she said.
Ms Nelmes said transparent sequencing and certainty across the infrastructure pipeline will be vital to managing workforce pressures.
"With construction labour already stretched, we need a clear, published schedule so training and procurement can be timed sensibly. The Infrastructure Australia report is an important step forward and puts the onus on government to maintain momentum.
"This project can be transformative for the Hunter and Central Coast. We've got the vision and local capability - now we need clear governance, housing alignment, and regional delivery," she said.
