Article: Union warns of NQ rail closures

[ozbob]

From North Queensland Register click here!

Union warns of NQ rail closures

Union warns of NQ rail closures
REG BURTON
13 February 2008

THE rail industry in the North West could grind to a halt as rumours and documents circulate indicating possible job and service losses.

Queensland Rail (QR) has come under fire from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) which claims it has discovered a plan to slash hundreds of jobs by reducing rail services throughout regional Queensland.

Rail workers have observed the plan more as a plot because of the secrecy surrounding the government?s intention to slash up to 1200 jobs within Queensland Rail in a proposal titled Project Rebus.

The project covers line closures and the elimination of a substantial number of Freight Distribution Centres now operated by Q Link in western and regional locations.

In the plan, services now provided by Q Link will be replaced by a series of agency arrangements; a system which has the potential to increase freight charges to the consumer.

The RTBU Northern District Organiser, Les Moffitt, said the impact on many small western communities will be catastrophic with centres like Hughenden, Richmond and Cloncurry expected to lose up to 20 staff each.

He said there had also been rumours that the Inlander passenger service between Townsville and Mount Isa may also be discontinued

?Management claims that it [the Inlander] causes delays to their mineral trains over the corridor and are looking for any excuse to get rid of it. They have tried to get rid of it in the past but the union has managed to prevent it,? Mr Moffitt said.

Member for Charters Towers, Shane Knuth said the cuts will have monumental ramifications on rural communities, rail employees and their families.

?These cuts will result in skyrocketing price hikes with the QR freight handling facilities are closed down,? Mr Knuth said.

*Full story in this week?s North Queensland Register, out Thursday.

[ozbob]

Media Release 3 March 2008

Queensland:  Rail service cut backs are not smart!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has expressed serious concern for the future of many branch line and country rail freight services in Queensland.  Rather than cut back rail services now is the time for expansion.

Robert Dow said:

?The North Queensland Register has recently highlighted apparently secret plans to cut services and implement some branch line closures and the elimination of a substantial number of freight distribution centres now operated by Q Link in regional Queensland (1).?

?RAIL Back On Track is also concerned for the future of Traveltrain long distance passenger services.?

?At a time when road transport costs are increasing and the fact they will come under further pressure as carbon taxes and fuel shortages impact, the Government wants to cut back on sustainable transport solutions?  This is foolish short term penny pinching that will result in massive expenditures down the track to re-establish the services that may be cut.?

?If these cutbacks go ahead the impacts on employees and rural communities will be severe. Serious social dislocation for what?  To transport-bankrupt Queensland for future generations??

?We have seen this short term expediency many times before in Queensland.  For example the original line to the Gold Coast was closed and sold off. The loss of the right of way to Southport and Tweed Heads has been a social and financial disaster.?

?The long distance passenger trains in Queensland are unique.  Providing a quality tourist travel experience on the Queensland narrow gauge they are also important transport communication links for many remote towns throughout Queensland. The Sunlander, the Spirit of the Outback, the Westlander, the Inlander and the Tilt train services all value add to the economy of Queensland, directly and indirectly.?

?We call on the Queensland Government to expand all current rail services and put in place the proper foundations for a sustainable transport network for the future,? said Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

Reference:

1. http://nqr.farmonline.com.au/news.asp?editorial_id=71712

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org