June 11th 2025. AJS-NSW welcomed Tim Parker, CEO of the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) (Australia), and Yoshikata Tanabe, General Manager of Central Japan Railway Co., Sydney Office (JR Central), for a very informative discussion on what Australia can learn from Japan on high-speed rail. 

Mr. Parker presented an overview of the business case the HSRA has presented to the Australian Government, for a high speed rail line from Sydney to Newcastle, stopping at the Central Coast, with travel time of one hour, plus a blueprint for an east-coast national network spanning Melbourne to Brisbane. Mr. Parker walked us through the current challenges and benefits, for example how high-speed rail can help respond to population growth and the Net Zero by 2050 emissions target. The HSRA’s proposal involves a new dedicated line, de-risking through a longer development timeframe, with area packages, and advanced manufacturing of common modules. Mr. Parker’s presentation left us with a sense of hope for the future of high-speed rail in Australia, and an idea of the opportunities ahead if the proposal is approved.

Tanabe-san discussed the Japanese model of high-speed rail, the much loved  Shinkansen. Japan’s high-speed rail had been planned since 1950. Since its first operation in 1964 it has lowered the Tokyo - Osaka travel time from 6 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 21 minutes. JR Central has an excellent safety record with zero fatalities or injuries since opening, and an average delay of 1.6 minutes. Tanabe-san outlined the benefits of the Shinkansen model, with its reliability, safety and operational performance. Tanabe-san's presentation provided insight into what Australia can learn from the Japanese model of high-speed rail, and how high-speed rail can have synergistic effects through development around stations. 

The panel discussion and Q&A brought together Mr. Parker and Tanabe-san to share thoughts on HSRA priorities and timing - which may be summarized as "plan slowly, implement quickly"; the challenges of building in or tunnelling under National Park and Native Title land; legislative pathways in the event of approval; funding and other risks and barriers. It was an engaged discussion on what lies ahead for Australia, gaining context from the tried-and-true Japanese Shinkansen method. 

The evening concluded with great networking over drinks and finger food.

Thanks to corporate member KPMG for hosting this event.

With reporting by Aiyana Forrest (student member, Macquarie University)

Presentation slides are available at the link HERE