The Report from phase 1 of the high speed rail study was released on 4 August 2011.

The report found that high speed rail between Brisbane and Melbourne could:

• Cost between $61 billion and $108 billion (in $2011) to build and involve laying more than 1,600 kilometres of new standard-gauge, double-track;
• Achieve speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour and offer journey times as low as 3 hours between Brisbane and Sydney and Sydney and Melbourne; just 40 minutes from Sydney to Newcastle; and 1 hour between Sydney and Canberra;
• Carry around 54 million passengers a year by 2036; and
• Offer competitive ticket prices, with one way fares (in $2011) from Brisbane to Sydney costing $75–$177; Sydney to Melbourne $99–$197; and $16.50 for daily commuters between Newcastle and Sydney.

Copies of the report are available for download below:

• Phase 1 report executive summary PDF: 1207 KB 
• Phase 1 report PDF: 9207 KB 
• Phase 1 appendices PDF: 7783 KB 
• Phase 1 full report PDF: 16120 KB