The Goulburn Group also argue the numbers add up.

But a study into Sydney’s second airport concludes high speed rail between Sydney and Canberra is not viable. In the latest ‘opinion piece’, the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan,’ study authors describe HSR as “a radical long distance transport option.”

Goulburn Mulwaree Council doesn’t agree and is saying so in a submission on the plan.

“This is not the case,” the document states.

“HSR is popular in parts of Asia and Europe and has proven to be a viable transport option.”

The council argued that given the federal government had commissioned the phase two study on possible routes, it was “appropriate” that the state government now actively promoted and reinforced the HSR’s importance to the NSW economy and as a catalyst for regional growth.

“The HSR is an important project for the southeast NSW region and the state, which will service one of the world’s busiest domestic air transport corridors.”

Cr Kettle has long argued that Canberra was the logical location for a second international airport.

In the past week, state Premier Barry O’Farrell has also backed a fast train connecting to a Canberra international airport, a view his federal counterparts have scotched.

The mayor pushed the fast train’s benefits at a community meeting in Mittagong on Wednesday night to discuss the state’s Regional Action Plan.

Goulburn MP Pru Goward and energy minister Chris Hartcher hosted the session at the Mittagong RSL.

“I support Mr O’Farrell’s view,” Cr Kettle told the Post.

“To me, if Canberra airport were developed, why would you need a second international airport in Sydney if coupled with a Very Fast Train? “If you look at London, Japan and Thailand, their international airports are outside the CBD.”

Goulburn MP Pru Goward said she’s spoken to Mr O’Farrell several times about the fast train. “Goulburn can’t lose whether it’s a Very Fast Train to Canberra or an expanded Canberra airport,” she said.

“A VFT would be a good outcome for us…In fact I think we could do a lot better to improve train speeds, whether it’s a VFT or not.”

Overall, the council wants a better deal from transport links. It says that by focusing on freight transport, the government is understating the importance of passenger movements in unlocking the regions’ economic potential.

“For example, the Regional Relocation Grant, which commenced on July 1 2011, has not proven to be successful in increasing economic growth in the regions,” the submission states.

“People will not move to a regional area for $7000 unless there is a promise of job security in that region.”

The council’s reasoning is that improved transport access will bring people closer to employment markets. It has also called on the government to channel more into road networks in the southeast.

More investment is devoted to connections from Sydney’s west to Bathurst, Orange and Newcastle through to Braxton, but “little attention is given to linking the south coast and the state’s interior”, the submission states. Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Palerang and Yass Valley Councils have contributed to a stage two study on Main Road 92 routes beyond Nerriga to the Hume Highway.

“This partnered approach reflects the high value of this important corridor for improving freight movements throughout the southeast region,” the submission states.

“Given the significance of this road corridor, it is appropriate that the transport master plan identifies the construction of the final route as a priority project to be funded by the NSW Government.”

The Goulburn Group has also lodged a submission on the transport plan, pressing the need for high speed rail.

A regional forum to further discuss the plan will be held in Goulburn on May 4.