GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

New Chief Executive appointed to ITSRR

Minister for Transport David Campbell has announced Len Neist will be the new Chief Executive of the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR). Mr Campbell said Mr Neist would take over from outgoing Chief Executive Carolyn Walsh. “Mr Neist is currently the Executive Director for Transport Safety Regulation for ITSRR and has extensive experience in strategic risk management, safety systems engineering and incident investigation,” Mr Campbell said. He also took the opportunity to thank Carolyn Walsh for her work with ITSRR as the inaugural Chief Executive. “ITSRR was established as the independent regulator in January 2004 and is aimed at improving safety in the transport sector,” Mr Campbell said. “Ms Walsh has done a fantastic job in first establishing the regulator and continuing to strengthen transport safety in this state.”

13 companies show interest in Metro

Minister for Transport David Campbell has announced 13 local and international organisations have registered their interest in a major contract for the construction of the CBD Metro. “Metro is the future of transport in Sydney and this is a good sign that businesses want to be involved in this ground breaking project,” Mr Campbell said.

Springvale Road grade separation

Road and train passenger safety is set to get a major boost in Nunawading with the removal of the busy Springvale Road level crossing and a new grade separation to be completed by 2010. Victorian Premier John Brumby announced $60 million from the 2009/2010 state budget, to be released next week, while Federal MP for Deakin Mike Symon confirmed the Federal Government's $80 million commitment. Mr Brumby said the project was fantastic news for Melbourne's east, improving safety for drivers and train passengers and tackling congestion at the RACV's top Red Spot location.

Cross Border Transport Taskforce Report released

Minister for Transport David Campbell has released the final report of the Cross Border Transport Taskforce which examined links between NSW and Queensland. Mr Campbell said the report had also been endorsed by the Queensland Transport Minister and was now available on the NSW Ministry of Transport website. “The Taskforce invited submissions to the process and all were carefully considered,” Mr Campbell said. “Some public submissions advocated the restoration of the Casino to Murwillumbah train service; however, the Report found that the greatest need for residents in the area is for intra-regional connectivity and local transport.”

Agreement reached on Federal funding

All state and territory governments have now signed onto the Federal Government's Nation Building Program, the largest ever investment in the nations road and rail infrastructure. The six year investment program provides $26.4 billion in Federal funding. More than half of this funding is earmarked for projects in regional Australia.

Darra Station revamp underway

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has announced the start of major works to revamp Darra Railway Station. The Darra station upgrade is part of the Government’s $189 million Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project, which involves constructing two new tracks between Corinda and Darra and upgrades to Oxley and Darra stations. “Darra Station, which first opened in 1876, will undergo a major transformation to renew its look, feel and functionality,” Ms Nolan said. “A key feature of the upgrade is improved access for people with disabilities, mothers with strollers, the elderly and cyclists.”

INDUSTRY

Coal line boosted with new passing loop

The coal lines in the Hunter Valley have received another boost with the opening of a new passing loop at Bylong, between Gulgong and Denman in NSW, by Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). Construction of the new passing loop was brought forward thanks to joint funding between ARTC and the Australian Government as part of its $1.2 billion Nation Building package injected in December 2008.

ARA Fortnightly Update

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released its latest fortnightly update. This issue includes:

• Investment in public transport infrastructure and services
• Energy white paper
• Radio spectrum allocation developments.