ARA High Speed Rail Conference

Join us at the ARA High Speed Rail Conference to hear from global and Australian experts as we explore how high speed rail (HSR) can transform Australia’s transport landscape.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and exchange insights and discuss how HSR can drive community growth, create jobs, and foster regional development. Secure your ticket today.

Key program topics

Gain exclusive perspectives from leading Australian and international speakers on high speed rail, featuring the latest developments in Australia and insights from international projects.

• Global high speed rail case studies
• The expansion of high speed rail in the USA – lessons for Australia
• High speed rail value capture
• High speed rail and infrastructure planning
• Investing in high speed rail for a sustainable future
• Planning for an incredible customer experience
• Unlocking the potential of high speed rail

Program Spotlight: Global High Speed Rail Case Studies

This session will explore successful high speed rail implementations around the world, offering key insights into how different countries have developed and integrated high speed rail (HSR) into their transport systems.

Delegates will learn from experiences in UK, UAE, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, USA, Taiwan, Spain and China, whose HSR networks have transformed mobility, reduced congestion, and spurred economic growth. These case studies will highlight best practices, technological innovations, and lessons Australia can adopt in its own HSR journey.

Panel discussions

Panels will address critical aspects of high speed rail development in Australia, including funding strategies, enhancing the customer experience, and unlocking the economic potential of HSR for the nation and local communities, including regional development, job creation, and improved access to key services. Panel topics include:

• How can we fund high speed rail?
• The economic potential of high speed rail.
• Many Paths, One Goal: How each of us is contributing to high speed rail.
• The potential of HSR for Sydney and Newcastle.
• High speed rail passenger experience and engagement.

Panel Spotlight: The Potential of High Speed Rail for Sydney and Newcastle

This panel will examine the critical role high speed rail (HSR) can play in the Sydney-Newcastle corridor, projected to see 22% population growth by the 2040s. HSR will alleviate transport challenges, ease congestion, and boost economic development in hubs like Newcastle, Gosford, and the Central Coast.

Panelists including Alice Thompson (CEO, Committee for Hunter), Declan Clausen (Deputy Lord Mayor, City of Newcastle), and Ken Morrison (CEO, Bradfield Development Authority) will discuss how HSR can integrate with local transport networks, unlock potential for housing and job creation, drive economic growth in urban and regional communities along the route and contribute to sustainable development by reducing car dependency and emissions.

Confirmed speakers

The ARA High Speed Rail Conference boasts an impressive lineup of Australian and International speakers. Attendees will hear about high speed rail from the UK, UAE, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, USA, Taiwan, Spain and China.

• Tim Parker | Chief Executive Officer, High Speed Rail Authority
• Niko Worbanoff | Chief Executive Officer, DB Engineering
• Julien Dehornoy | Chief Executive Officer, Kelois Downer
• Darren King | International Rail Advisor, WSP
• Malcolm Smith | Australasian Cities Leader, Arup
• Jean-Philippe Lavallee | Operations and Maintenance Director, SYSTRA
• Romain Bosramiez | Market & Portfolio Director, High Speed Trains, Alstom
• Richard Yeo | Chief Operating Officer, NTRO
• Peter Colacino | NSW Project Strategy and Delivery Portfolio Lead, Infrastructure Strategy and Transformation Lead - Australia, Mott MacDonald
• Michael Kopp | Program Director, Siemens
• Michael Jamieson | Program Director, Jacobs
• Matt McInnes | Managing Director - Asia Pacific, Lynxx
• Andrew Lezala | Managing Director, Lezala Consulting
• Joseph P. Schmelzeis | Director, Central Japan Railway Company

Who will be attending

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