Transport Infrastructure Solutions

As outlined in the Project 1 presentation, the first step towards transforming Canberra into a thriving metropolis is to provide it with the levels of connectivity requisite of a nation's capital in the 21st century. In order for this to be achieved, significant infrastructural solutions must be implemented to connect Canberra with other Australian and international cities.

Airport Expansion


It is planned that Canberra Airport will be significantly expanded over the following decades. This is primarily to reduce the load on Australia's busiest airport, Sydney. The additional international flight routes to and from Canberra will mostly be used for political and business travel. Another key opportunity is to establish Canberra as Australia's Air Freight Capital, capitalising on the the city's central location. Sydney Airport's operations are also restricted by curfews for air freight which do not apply in Canberra, making it a more suitable hub.


It is envisaged that this economically driven expansion will result in an increased level of tourism to Canberra as international flights become more viable.

Pictured bellow are the planned and existing freight routes and industrial zones within Canberra in the context

High Speed Rail (HSR)

Australia's HSR network will be vital in establishing domestic connectivity at an international standard. Pictured below is the proposed route for Australia's HSR network.

The table below illustrates how HSR will be a far more viable form of transport compared to cars and air travel. 

Pictured below is HASSEL's design proposal for such a vehicle.

Pictured Below are comparable HSR networks overseas.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

It is proposed that a BRT network will be essential in linking Parliament House and Canberra's city centres with each other and the Canberra Airport / HSR Terminal. Pictured below are planned transit / employment corridors to incorporate a BRT system. 

Pictured below is Brazil's pioneering BRT system.

It is proposed that Canberra adopt a BRT system based on the technology recently developed by Shenzen Huashi Future Development Co as a solution for mass rapid transit in Beijing. The 'Straddling Bus' runs on a combination of solar power and municipal electricity and 'straddles' dual carriage-ways (the dominating road pattern of Canberra) and glides over other road traffic. Such a system would be ideal for the proposed plan of Canberra as it would utilise the extensive network of existing infrastructure rather than requiring expensive and destructive tunnelling for a metro system, unsightly sky rails or road trams which compete and contribute with and contribute to vehicular road traffic.