QR allocates $10m for immediate start to work on priority level crossings

QR will target priority level crossings in North Queensland with $10 million approved today to start work immediately on implementing improvements identified by a joint QR Task Force involving train drivers and rail unions.

QR will also step up its community education and public awareness campaigns about the need for motorists to be vigilant when using level crossings.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the urgent funding allocation and expanded community education campaigns would put greater focus on the on-going issue of level crossing safety.

“This is not just a rail safety issue. It is also a road safety issue,” Mr Mickel said.

“There is a greater collective effort required by road and rail authorities together with local councils, and importantly with road users, to reduce the risk of future accidents,” he said.

“This morning I have been briefed by QR on yesterday’s accident at Innisfail and what it is doing actively to step up current initiatives through the work of the Task Force

“Despite a 30 per cent reduction in level crossing accidents in the past decade, the recent spate of fatal collisions is a concern that needs a collective and concerted effort from the community and authorities.”

QR established a specialist Task Force following the Cardwell accident in late November last year where two Townsville train drivers were killed. It includes safety and operational experts, as well as train crew and rail union representatives.

The head of the Task Force is in North Queensland today briefing train drivers and Task Force members on the QR initiatives. He also visited the Innisfail site of yesterday’s accident.

While the initial focus of the Task Force is for locations between Mackay and Cairns, it will also now take into account issues from a statewide perspective.

Mr Mickel has also requested QR to expand the Task Force’s considerations to take more directly into account the road safety dimension of level crossings and what practically might be done to improve existing safety measures.

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