09 Apr 2025
RISSB Connect Edition 83, April 2025
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A message from our CEO | Damien White 
“Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!” I’m finishing up at RISSB a little earlier than originally planned, but that’s good, and allows Alan Fedda to get on with leading the organisation into its next phase. Not much is guaranteed in life, but the opportunity is ripe for RISSB to be taking a much greater role in the industry’s reform journey. Our Team is highly skilled and enthusiastic, is led by a capable Board, and will shortly have a fresh leader to take the organisation forward - hand-in-hand with industry and government. I wish RISSB and its partners well, and I’m confident it can indeed be taking a greater leadership role in driving more tangible reform outcomes for our industry! PEOPLE SPOTLIGHTAlan Fedda 
RISSB recently announced the appointment of Alan Fedda as its next CEO. Alan will pick up the reins from 22 April 2025. The RISSB team looks forward to working with Alan to deliver outcomes in interoperability, safety, and productivity for industry. Alan is an executive leader with over 15 years of experience across government and private industries including transport, financial services, energy and telecommunications amongst others. He has extensive experience at an executive level managing planning, policy, strategy, operations, safety and environment, communications and stakeholder management, finance and people and culture. He was most recently the Deputy Head Transport Services in Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). Prior to this, Alan was the Acting Chief Rail at DTP and the Managing Director of Transdev Sydney Ferries. Alan is uniquely positioned to steer RISSB in delivering and elevating its role within the future rail landscape with a clear vision of RISSB’s role in driving rail industry interoperability, efficiency and safety in this time of rail reform. He is looking forward to being out and about meeting with members and key stakeholders. LATEST NEWSLoud and clear call for greater industry collaboration at the Heavy Haul Conference
The importance of collaboration within the rail industry to tackle the upcoming challenges was a key theme at the 2025 Heavy Haul Conference. If the rail industry is to progress new technologies, tackle interoperability challenges, and be ready for net zero emissions then the only way is for RTOs, manufacturers, research organisations, and bodies such as RISSB and the NTC, to work closely together, sharing knowledge and experiences. Demonstrating the value of RISSB Development GroupsRecently, RISSB’s Senior Standards Development Manager Cris Fitzhardinge demonstrated the value of being involved in RISSB’s Development Groups at the Rio Tinto Leadership Forum. Cris talked about the role of RISSB in the rail industry, and how RISSB products can support front line leaders. With over 100 people in attendance, Cris highlighted several key products that supervisors could reference when looking to improve safety, harmonisation, interoperability, and sustainability. Thank you Casey Sloper, Superintendent Train Control and Tim Eckersley, General Manager Rail Operations for the opportunity. 
Four Board approved products to help build harmonisation momentumFour products were approved by the RISSB Board this month, including a Standard, a Code of Practice and two Guidelines. Collectively, the updates to AS 7632 Signage, Code of Practice - Vigilance Systems and Timing Cycles, and Guideline - Rail Traffic PAE Risk Management will help drive harmonisation, interoperability and safety for the rail industry. 
Next phase of the National Rolling Stock Register engagement underwayThe National Rolling Stock Register (NRSR) is a system being developed in partnership with Commonwealth, state and territory governments that will provide a single data source on rolling stock across Australia and a central platform for managing the rolling stock registration process. To ensure the needs, concerns and challenges faced by all of the stakeholders are properly understood and addressed, RISSB has embarked on a programme of face-to-face meetings and site visits with key stakeholders. 
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTAS 7716 Signalling Testing Process and AS 7717 Signal Testing and CommissioningThe rail industry provides the safest means of transporting people and goods around the country. Signalling systems are critical to ensuring this safety, maintaining separation between rail traffic, and rail traffic and track workers is kept. AS 7716 Signalling Testing Process and AS 7717 Signal Testing and Commissioning will undergo reviews in the coming months - be sure to join the Development Groups to contribute to updates to the standards. As a subsidiary of the renowned international construction company, Swietelsky, the company draws upon over eight decades of invaluable expertise setting the standard for rail maintenance and construction. Key capabilities for Swietelsky Rail Australia (SRA) focus on mechanised maintenance solutions that prioritise removing workers from the line of fire. SRA has a reputation for delivering successful outcomes for ballast cleaning, resurfacing, rail and civil maintenance, rail infrastructure projects and flash butt welding. At the centre of the SRA’s approach is an unwavering commitment to being a dependable partner in the industry. SRA’s success is underpinned by a dedicated team and cutting-edge equipment, both of which are instrumental in consistently delivering reliable results for our valued clients. This global heritage, coupled with the deep local knowledge of their team, positions SRA as a leading provider of specialised track maintenance services. “At Swietelsky Rail Australia, rail safety means more than compliance – it’s about leadership at every level. We take pride in setting the standard for safe practices that protect people, property, and the long-term sustainability of rail networks across Australia,” Anne Modderno, Managing Director, SRA. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
RISSB PRODUCT UPDATESProgress report - AS 7637 Hydrology and HydraulicsAustralia’s rail networks have been severely tested in recent times as extreme weather events become more frequent. The trans-continental line to Perth has been severed numerous times affecting the supply of consumer goods and trade between the States. RISSB has been collaborating with industry representatives to develop a Standard focused on the hydrological and hydraulic design, supply, construction, and maintenance of railway tracks in areas prone to drainage issues and flooding. This Standard focuses on the hydrological and hydraulic functions, performance criteria, design constraints, and risk factors relevant to the design and assessment of railway infrastructure concerning stormwater management. By implementing these requirements, rail infrastructure managers can expect improved infrastructure design, which will enhance risk mitigation and increase resilience during wet weather and flood events. This will also benefit the communities served by the railway industry through more reliable rail networks - making a real difference to ensure consistent transportation and supply of goods. This Standard is currently open for public consultation until late April, inviting broader input to enhance the quality and purposefulness of this product. Current call for Public ConsultationAS 7532 Audible Warning Devices Current call for Development GroupAS 7634 Railway Infrastructure Survey THE RISSB NETWORKHuman Factors Managers GroupChaired by Gareth Hughes from Transport for NSW, the Human Factors Managers Group (HFMG) discussed the importance of the wider rail reform program at its March 2025 meeting. The Group also discussed the opportunity for industry to learn more about going beyond theory at the upcoming ‘Human Factors in Action Workshop’ on 12 May 2025, organised as a pre-conference workshop of the RISSB Rail Safety Conference Sydney. 
TRAINING AND EVENTS2025 RISSB Rail Safety ConferenceA month to go for the 25th annual Rail Safety Conference. We have an impressive list of speakers addressing the theme "Ensuring safety continues to lead the way in a challenging regulatory environment". Grab a ticket to attend if you haven't already. We look forward to seeing you in Sydney! Undertake a Derailment InvestigationThis course provides an overview of the mechanisms and factors that contribute to derailments, and advice on how to collect, inspect and interpret evidence. Investigate Rail Safety IncidentsThis course seeks to teach course attendees how to conduct and document any investigation into a railway safety incident. It builds on industry best practices and promotes a ‘just culture’ approach for investigations. RISSB MasterClass webinarsWayside Electrical Charging Interfaces for Battery Electric Rolling Stock Coexistence and interoperability of digital signalling systems In other newsRISSB’s March ChargeA big shout out to our RISSB team members who joined the march and those who supported by way of donations for The March Charge. Led by Jodie Matheson, together, we raised $1,115 which will go towards cancer research and to support those who are in the fight. Our collective feet walked, jogged or belted out over 460km through the month of March - pretty darn impressive! Fabulous effort team, well done! 
Industry's partner in co-regulation RISSB supports and works hand in hand with the Australian and New Zealand rail industry to provide the essential tools rail organisations need – good practice Standards, Codes, Guidelines and Rules.   
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