Portfolio — 17 August 2026

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, used two media releases on 17 August to advance both near-term regional freight infrastructure and long-term passenger rail planning. The announcements span completed bridge upgrades on the Princes Highway West in Victoria and the next procurement step for the Newcastle-to-Sydney High Speed Rail corridor in New South Wales.

**Princes Highway West bridge upgrades completed**

The Minister announced that three bridges at Dennington, Allansford and Weerite on the Princes Highway West have been upgraded under a joint funding arrangement, with the Australian Government contributing $12.66 million and the Victorian Government $2.48 million [TA-260817-infras-2ac61d6fbec0]. She framed the works as ensuring "Victorian freight operators can get their goods to market quickly, safely and efficiently" [TA-260817-infras-2ac61d6fbec0].

**High Speed Rail shortlisting**

The Minister also announced that three consortia have been shortlisted for an Early Contractor Involvement process to develop detailed plans for Area Package 1 of the Newcastle-to-Sydney High Speed Rail corridor, covering the 35 km twin-tunnel section between Berowra and Ourimbah [TA-260817-infras-8ee4eb75684a]. She said the government would plan the first stage "metre by metre" and that the new contracts deliver on that commitment [TA-260817-infras-8ee4eb75684a].

**Portfolio direction**

Today's releases continue a pattern visible earlier in the week. The West Tamar Highway duplication, announced on 15 August, also relied on joint federal-state funding to expand regional road capacity. The bridge completions and the high-speed rail shortlisting together illustrate the portfolio's dual track: delivering incremental upgrades to existing freight corridors while advancing planning for next-generation passenger transport.