Article: Fatal rail crossing fails to attract funding

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From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Fatal rail crossing fails to attract funding

Fatal rail crossing fails to attract funding
Tony Moore | March 13, 2009 - 12:26PM

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) is furious today's Federal Government cash drop to fix 66 rail crossings in Queensland does not include money for a flyover or underpass for the crossing where two Queensland Rail drivers died in November 2008.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese flew in to Brisbane this morning to announce where boom gates and warning lights for 66 Queensland high-risk rail crossings would be under a $42 million safety boost.

However Les Moffatt, senior vice president of the Rail Tram and Bus Union said he was surprised to find no money was available to build an overpass at Rungoo near Cardwell.

"We are very disapointed that the funding has not come through from the Federal Government for a grade seperation at that level crossing," Mr Moffet said.

"That's where the two drivers lost their lives."

He also questioned why no money had been put aside for a public awareness scheme - similar to that used in Canada - to make people more aware of the dangers around rail crossings.

"I see there is $1 million they are going to spend on advertisements in the community about safety issues around level crossings," Mr Moffatt said.

"That's fine in the short-term.

"But the decision of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union is that we are looking for for a long-term commitment."

The RBTU wants governments to introduce a scheme called Operation Lifesaver which operates on Canada's rail network which includes 50,000 level crossings.

Co-ordinated by the Canadian Government it has run for 30 years and has cut level crossing accidents by 66 per cent.

Mr Albanese was to outline the level crossings to be upgraded at Pinkenbah in Brisbane at lunch time.

Most of the aditional rail crossings are in Central and North Queensland with only one - Pinkenbah - in Brisbane.

The State Government also committed $23 million for work on 10 separate crossings in north Queensland after reviewing 500 rail crossings after three fatalities at rail crossings in north Queensland.

In Queensland in 2008 five people died in rail crossing accidents, including the two Queensland Rail drivers killed when their train collided with a truck at Rungoo in November 2008.

Two months later a truck driver was killed when his truck struck the Sunlander at Mundoo, south of Innisfail on New Year's Day.

The triple fatalities prompted urgent calls for upgrades from both federal and state governments with tranport and rail authorities demanding immediate action.

Mr Albanese's office has confirmed the money is being spent over the next two years, with $50 million allocated around Australia in 2008-09 and a further $100 million in 2009-10.

Queensland Rail has identified which intersections will be upgraded with all intersections receiving boom gates and flashing warning lights.

The package will be released by Mr Albanese at 12.30pm.

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Media Statement 13th March 2009 $42 MILLION FOR LEVEL CROSSINGS IN QUEENSLAND

PDF click here!