2.194
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in conjunction with state and territory governments, develop a framework for the specification and evaluation of proposals for the development of a high speed rail network in eastern Australia, with an emphasis on strategic decentralisation, regional economic development, value creation and value capture to determine the viability of private sector proposals, routes, schedule for development and funding for the project. The Committee further recommends that it is time to progress the planning work that must be done by all levels of government to facilitate high speed rail. The Committee recommends that state and federal governments consider appropriate coordination arrangements, including if and when a planning authority is required to progress high speed rail.