Article: Boom gate fund too little too late: union

[ozbob]

This follows on from yesterdays announcement by the Federal Government --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1843.0

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Boom gate fund too little too late: union

Boom gate fund too little too late: union
Melissa Singer | February 4, 2009 - 5:31AM

The Federal Government's promised $150 million for boom gates at dangerous level-crossings around the country is welcome, but a little too late, according to union officials.

Yesterday, Kevin Rudd announced upgrades to 200 level crossings as part of an $890 million transport and infrastructure package contained within the Government's unprecedented $42 billion economic stimulus initiative.

Transport Workers Union (TWU) state secretary Hughie Williams welcomed the investment in boom gates.

But he said much more was needed to ensure the safety of railway workers and passengers and road users.

"$150 million sounds like a lot, but it doesn't go very far," he said.
Queensland has 1800 level-crossings, 500 of which were examined for possible upgrades following the deaths of two people in a crash in north Queensland in November.

Mr Williams said it was important the Federal Government devised a list of those crossings most in need of upgrades.

He suggested part of the money immediately be spent on "practical" measures such as installing stop signs and rumble strips at level-crossings.

"It's very important, three people have been killed (in the past three months)."

On January 1, garbage truck driver Terry Brown died when he collided with a passenger train at Mundoo, near Innisfail.

Mr Williams said some level-crossings were like ticking time bombs.

"You wouldn't know where roads and trains cross ... there is nothing to indicate a crossing," he said. "We're lucky we haven't had more fatalities."

The State Government has convened a special taskforce to tackle the problem of dangerous level-crossings in Queensland. In January, the taskforce, together with the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the TWU, selected eight level-crossings for safety upgrades, at a cost of $10 million.

It is not yet known which, if any, Queensland level-crossings will be funded by the Federal Government's $150 million package. A spokesman for Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said state governments would be consulted shortly to nominate their priorities for boom gates.