GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Free travel on Epping to Chatswood link

NSW Premier Nathan Rees has announced free travel on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link (ECRL) until 8 June 2009 as a special introduction for the new service. Premier Rees said the $2.3 billion link will run as a shuttle providing a 17 minute journey between Epping and Chatswood. “We want to encourage everyone to try out this impressive railway, that’s why we’re offering more than 100 days of free travel on the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link,” Mr Rees said. “This is a multi-billion investment in jobs, in Sydney’s transport needs and in a better future.”

Concrete sleepers roll-out

New concrete railway sleepers will continue rolling out of Wagga Wagga, Geelong, Mittagong and Grafton as part of the Federal Government's $1.2 billion investment in the interstate rail network. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the new sleepers will replace the old wooden sleepers along the interstate network between Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane, greatly reducing the likelihood of the track buckling during hot weather. "The new sleepers will create a faster, more reliable rail system," Mr Albanese said. "The upgrade of this vital line is perhaps the biggest rail project to be undertaken in Australia since the corridor was originally laid.”

EFTPOS hits CityRail stations

CityRail customers will soon spend less time waiting in ticket queues with faster EFTPOS services and improved vending machines rolling out across Sydney’s busiest stations. Minister for Transport David Campbell joined Penrith MP Karyn Paluzzano at Penrith station to inspect a new ticket vending machine which now includes EFTPOS facilities. “The introduction of faster EFTPOS machines at ticket windows will replace the existing dial-up network access which will reduce the amount of time spent at ticket windows,” Mr Campbell said.

Asciano proceedings instituted

Comcare has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Asciano Services (Asciano) for an alleged breach of section 16(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act). Comcare alleges that Asciano breached the Act for failing to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of its employees and contractors and that the failure resulted in a dangerous occurrence on 28 November 2007 involving an Asciano contractor. A 76 tonne mobile crane, known as a ‘reach stacker’, was loading a 5.67 tonne container onto the wagon of a train at the Adelaide Freight Terminal when the train started to move. The wagon collided with the container which resulted in the reach stacker falling on its side. No-one was injured as a result of the incident.

Extra services for 79,000 commuters

A major Queensland Government package of bus and rail service enhancements has begun across the TransLink network. Transport Minister John Mickel said the package will provide much needed capacity on some of the most popular public transport routes. “This package will add additional and improved bus and rail services will be able to carry an extra 79,000 passengers a week - 64,000 on buses and 15,000 on trains,” Mr Mickel said.

GHD to examine freight rail

The Australian Government has appointed GHD to examine rail freight movements to and through Adelaide and surrounding regions. The $3 million study, which was announced in September, will be an important step in developing strategies for improving the efficiency of the national freight network and addressing the concerns of the local community about noise, congestion and safety. The detailed study will be vital in making the best long-term decisions for Adelaide’s future freight needs, while balancing amenity for local residents. Planning freight rail movements ahead of time will ensure an integrated and strategic approach is taken to infrastructure development.

INDUSTRY

Longreach to Winton line closed

The Longreach to Winton section of the Central Western line in Queensland could be closed for about three weeks due to track damage caused by flooding in recent weeks. Several sections of track between the two towns were washed out by flooding and substantial repair work will be required before the line can be re-opened. The line between Rockhampton and Longreach is unaffected by flood damage at this stage and is open to traffic. Michael Carter, Executive General Manager QR Network, said QR had begun surveying the damaged track and was preparing to begin repairs as soon as it was safe.