As part of the Government's Plan for Australia's Future Population the funding is to take pressure off the big cities and support the growth of the regions. 

Mr Gee said the detailed assessments will determine the next priorities for funding and construction.

"I'm very excited that the Australian Government is providing $8 million to fund a business case for faster rail between Sydney and Parkes via Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange," Mr Gee said.

"This initiative is all about easing congestion in the big cities while at the same time encouraging growth in regional Australia." 

Mr Gee said if we wanted to keep encouraging decentralisation and reducing the tyranny of distance between the city and the bush, fast rail is the way to do it. 

Read more: 

"I'll certainly be encouraging all of our local councils and regional development organisations to get involved in the formulation of this business case because I think it's a real opportunity for the whole region for both passenger and freight services," he said. 

The Government's 20-year fast rail plan invests $40 million for detailed assessments of five additional corridors, complementing the three presently underway that the federal government has funded, and others that state governments are funding.

These detailed assessments will determine the next priorities for funding and construction.

The Australian Government will create a National Fast Rail Agency to guide the work, determine priorities based on the assessments, work with state governments and communities and the private sector and provide innovative finance solutions.

The Agency will be established by July, 1 2019.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.