RISSB Connect Edition 50, February 2024

Edition 50 February 2024 

INSIDE THIS EDITION

+ CEO message
+ Call for Development Group Members – Code of Practice KPIs for Corridor Infrastructure Maintenance.
+ Call for Public Consultation - AS 7453 Recruitment and Selection of Rail Traffic Drivers
+ Life-saving upgrades for level crossings in NSW
+ Member Spotlight 

CEO MESSAGE

We congratulate QUBE on the arrival of their new QE Class locomotives, constructed by Progress Rail in North America. 

In order to expedite the rolling stock approval process in Australia, QUBE has specified these locomotives to be “type approved” in the design specification process. Whilst this approach will enable the locomotives to be deployed expeditiously, it also demonstrates that rolling stock owners feel compelled to delay the adoption of new technology in order to have sufficient certainty to deploy new equipment. 

That is why the National Transport Commission (NTC) National Rail Action Plan (NRAP) project 'Streamlining Rolling Stock Approval Regime' is so important. With rail being a key enabler for improving productivity and decarbonisation, we need rolling stock approval processes that both expedite the approval process and facilitate the adoption of the latest available technology.

Damien White
RISSB CEO

GENERAL NEWS

Life-saving upgrades for level crossings in NSW

The Australian Government has announced that railway crossings in New South Wales are on track to receive significant upgrades over the next four years. 

These upgrades are thanks to the Australian Government’s Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund (RLCUF), which aims to improve railway crossing safety in regional areas and reduce serious and fatal crashes that have a devastating impact on communities.

The proposed list includes 23 priority projects for railway crossing improvements across nine electorates covering a large area of regional NSW.

These upgrades will include:

• The installation of retro-reflective boom gates.
• Audible warning devices.
• Updated signage.
• LED flashing lights increasing the visibility of crossings on both sides of the roadway in response to approaching trains.

More information on the RLCUF and its guidelines is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
Aurizon

Aurizon is Australia’s largest rail-based freight operator, providing integrated freight and logistics solutions across an extensive national rail and road network, traversing Australia.

In December last year,  Aurizon announced the 31 successful recipients of its latest round of the Community Giving Fund. The Fund, which is part of Aurizon’s ongoing commitment to supporting and engaging with local communities, provides grants in the areas of education, community safety, environment and health and wellbeing.

Andrew Harding, Aurizon Managing Director & CEO, stated that this round of funding will benefit local projects across the Company’s vast area of operations, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

The next round of applications for the Community Giving Fund will open in March 2024. For more information, you can visit their website here.

RISSB – Industry’s Partner in Co-Regulation