Australia could have high speed rail from Melbourne to Brisbane within a decade powered entirely by clean renewable energy.
Travelling long distances is an unavoidable part of living in Australia, with approximately 1,800 towns spread thinly over an enormous 7.7 million square kilometres.
Travel is so much a part of our lives. It accounts for one quarter of Australia’s total energy consumption, and 15% of greenhouse gas emissions.
As Beyond Zero Emissions’ High Speed Rail Report (2014) demonstrates, high speed rail between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane would provide clean, efficient, affordable and comfortable transport that would reduce travel emissions and service 80% of Australia’s population who live along the east coast.
Twenty one stations between Melbourne and Brisbane would connect 11 regional centres, paving the way for development.
This report was produced in collaboration with University of Melbourne – Energy Research Institute and German Aerospace Centre.
