High-Capacity Transport for Growing Cities

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Australia’s transport networks connect people, places and opportunities across our cities and regions, supporting access to jobs, housing and essential services.
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Summary: Infrastructure response and investment priorities

Commuter and freight traffic is expected to grow substantially over coming decades, placing increasing pressure on Australia’s transport networks. Supporting this growth will require new and expanded high capacity public transport, alongside targeted road upgrades that enable access to new housing and freight corridors. Investments in rail, light rail, rapid bus and zero-emissions bus fleets will be needed to improve productivity, support liveability and meet national housing and net zero emissions commitments.

Table 15 identifies the highest priority proposals for High Capacity Transport for Growing Cities to provide targeted solutions to address identified infrastructure constraints.

Table 15 – High-Capacity Transport for Growing Cities: 2026 Infrastructure Priority List proposals
10-year national priorities Location Investment timing
Expanding public transport to encourage mode shift
Expanding high capacity public transport networks
Adelaide public transport improvements SA 2-4 year pipeline
Brisbane Metro expansions QLD 2-4 year pipeline
Canberra public transport improvements ACT 2-4 year pipeline
Gold Coast public transport capacity and access QLD 2-4 year pipeline
Ipswich to Springfield transport capacity (South East Queensland) QLD 5-10 year pipeline
Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop East VIC Investment-ready for Delivery
Melbourne Suburban Rail Loop – Future stages VIC 5-10 year pipeline
Perth rail network planning (East Wanneroo Rail Link, Perth metropolitan orbital rail route) WA 5-10 year pipeline
Sydney rail connection between Tallawong and St Marys NSW 2-4 year pipeline
Sydney rail connections from Bradfield to Leppington and Macarthur NSW 2-4 year pipeline
Salisbury to Beaudesert rail connection (South East Queensland) QLD 2-4 year pipeline
The Wave (Sunshine Coast mass transit) QLD Investment-ready for Delivery
Optimising and upgrading existing public transport assets and networks
High Capacity Signalling – Melbourne VIC 2-4 year pipeline
High Capacity Signalling – Perth (METRONET) WA 2-4 year pipeline
High Capacity Signalling – South East Queensland (ETCS) QLD 2-4 year pipeline
High Capacity Signalling – Sydney (Digital Systems Program) NSW 2-4 year pipeline
Hobart transport network improvements TAS 2-4 year pipeline
Melbourne rail upgrade program – North VIC 2-4 year pipeline
Melbourne rail upgrade program – West VIC 2-4 year pipeline
Perth rail lines capacity WA 2-4 year pipeline
Strengthening intercity passenger rail connectivity
High Speed Rail – East Coast future stages QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC 2-4 year pipeline
High Speed Rail – Newcastle to Sydney NSW Investment-ready for Planning
Sydney-Canberra rail connectivity and capacity NSW, ACT 2-4 year pipeline