Troy Uleman is the Sydney Director of global design practice and Transport Specialist John McAslan+ Partners. In this opinion piece, he says his 'Utopia' warning is tongue-in-cheek but heralds the need for clear, integrated governance and a design-led approach.

Troy Uleman web res© Nick Lawrence.jpg — Troy Uleman / Nick Lawrence

"It's not yet clear how the project will be commissioned,'' says Uleman. "The safest option would be for the government to appoint a delivery partner to take singular responsibility, rather than dividing the project into several packages. The latter carries high risk because it requires complex coordination across multiple, interdependent elements."

Australia can learn lessons from the UK, says Uleman. The UK's High Speed 2 (HS2) project was initiated in 2009. HS2 has repeatedly faltered due to changes in scope and ballooning costs.

A lack of continuity across consecutive governments has been a major hindrance, with reports citing poor alignment between contracts, construction scheduling and design resolution contributing to the project's woes.

"The success of high-speed rail in Australia will rely on commitment across political cycles and clients who understand and champion good design."

The locally planned high-speed rail system has fewer stops than its UK counterparts, amplifying the importance of getting transport precinct planning and design right. "Laying a high-speed rail track is expensive, but it's what happens when you arrive that creates the legacy," says Uleman.

He points to King's Cross Station in London and Belfast Grand Central Station in Ireland. Both are integrated multi-modal transport hubs that anchor masterplanned urban precincts underpinned by rigorous early planning and guideline definition.

At King's Cross, a project-specific delivery structure established long-term phasing, development potential and funding mechanisms. Initial planning aligned the aspirations of statutory authorities, stakeholders and local communities, alongside a partnership agreement with a private developer to lead development of publicly acquired land.

The resulting masterplan included around 50 new buildings, 20 new streets, 10 new major public spaces, the restoration and refurbishment of 20 historic buildings and structures, and thousands of homes. More than a decade on, King's Cross is a global success story.

Belfast Grand Central Station opened in 2025. It began by garnering universal support for a new residential-led neighbourhood masterplanned around the bus and rail station. This set the standard for future development. The transport hub is a catalyst for urban revitalisation and a new gateway to the city's heart.

Uleman is confident that Newcastle and the Central Coast can reap similar rewards from well-planned stations and precincts, validating the huge investment in high-speed rail. Doubters point to a recent UK government report that says the UK's High Speed 1 (HS1) - operational since 2007 - didn't deliver the transformative regional growth it promised.

Rather than creating new economic hubs, HS1 simply bolstered the London workforce. Uleman believes the outlook for Australia's east coast is more positive.

"When you combine the climate, waterways and beaches of the Central Coast and Hunter Region with fast, well-connected transport, it's an attractive lifestyle proposition," says Uleman. "Well-designed precincts around high-speed rail can become magnetic places to live, visit and invest."

The right mix of public and private investment can deliver transport-adjacent housing at a good density, incorporating retail, hospitality and entertainment alongside green public spaces. Healthcare and education facilities could follow, boosting employment opportunities and economic uplift.

The High-Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) has already announced plans to design, build and operate an advanced manufacturing facility that will provide a kit-of-parts for high-speed rail. Uleman says the facility can also support affordable housing construction and meet the wider demand for prefabricated building materials.

"High-speed rail has significant potential to shape the future of East Coast cities. Learning from the UK, it will only succeed if it begins with a unified, design-led vision that incorporates quality urban design into a clear delivery plan. The simpler the plan, the better."

Image: borodai / Envato

Will Australia's first high-speed rail become an episode of 'Utopia'?

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