Australia: Organisations and Regulators Meet Ministers for Rail Safety Week 2018

Rail Safety Week 2018, © TrackSAFE Foundation

The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the TrackSAFE Foundation have met with the National Rail Safety Regulator and Rail Industry Safety Standards Board for Australia to discuss Rail Safety Week 2018.

Michael McCormack, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, and Paul Fletcher, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities, also attended the meeting.

In addition to this annual campaign the delegates discussed other general aspects of rail safety in Australia. The other issues on the agenda at the meeting included safety at level crossings, penalties for trespassing, train control interoperability and public awareness of the dangers associated with railways and tram networks.

Danny Broad, CEO of the ARA, said:

“Emerging rail projects are set to maximise opportunities for the development our nation’s infrastructure, regional hubs and future cities. With so many rail projects to come, it’s important rail organisations continue to connect with government, along with road user groups and the police to promote rail safety awareness within communities across the nation. We are encouraged that our nation’s political leaders recognise and support Rail Safety Week and are working closely with industry representatives to keep rail safety high on the agenda.”

Rail Safety Week

13–19 August was Rail Safety Week 2018 in Australia and New Zealand. This campaign, which the TrackSAFE Foundation has co-ordinated since 2006, aims to highlight the dangers of not obeying safety instructions in and around trains, tracks, stations and trams. The theme for 2018 is ‘Rail Safety – it’s everyone’s responsibility’.

The scheduled initiatives for the event, which involve more than 70 rail organisations in both countries, have included an extensive advertising campaign and school visits.