The National Transport Commission (NTC) has joined with State and other Governments and the rail industry to lift the productivity and safety of Australia’s rail network.
The NTC has established three industry and Government working groups to deliver the National Rail Action Plan, agreed to by the Transport and Infrastructure Council last year.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack said the aim was to ensure the required skills and labour were in place to build and operate an efficient and safe rail network.
“We are improving Australia’s rail system by continuing to align and harmonise operating rules, infrastructure and operational standards and systems across the national network,” Mr McCormack said.
“These working groups are the latest step to getting on with the job and implementing the vision as part of the partnership with experienced and respected industry and Government professionals.”
He said the National Rail Action Plan would complement the National Rail Program which was designed to help make cities more liveable and efficient as they grow.
He said the plan also aimed to reduce the burden on roads, provide more reliable transport networks and support efforts to decentralise the economy.
“The National Rail Action Plan will also support the work Government is doing with industry to boost the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as establishing an oversight group to investigate the introduction and roll-out of the Advanced Train Management System,” the Minister said.
Chief Executive of the Australasian Railway Association, Caroline Wilkie is to co-Chair a Skills and Labour Working Group with the Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, Tony Braxton-Smith.
Group Executive for Strategy at the Australian Rail Track Corporation, Simon Ormsby is to co-Chair a group on interoperability with the Chair of the NTC, Carolyn Walsh; and the Chief Executive of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board, Deb Spring is to co-Chair a working group on harmonising national standards with Victorian Department of Transport officer, Ben Phyland.
“The National Rail Action Plan will complement the 10-year, $10 billion National Rail Program, which is designed to help make our cities more liveable and efficient as they grow,” Mr Mr McCormack said.
“The plan also aims to reduce the burden on our roads, provide more reliable transport networks and support our efforts to decentralise our economy and grow regional Australia,” he said.
