|
MEDIA RELEASES RAIL SAFETY AND JOBS UNDER THREAT FROM ARTC Independent candidate for the seat of Tamworth in the forthcoming NSW State election Peter Draper is strongly opposed to the Federal Governments proposal to have the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) take over the rail freight line operations in NSW. The Federal Government proposes an $870 investment and infrastructure package in return for control of the freight tracks. ARTC already controls the majority of rail services in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and they are currently negotiating with the NSW and Queensland State governments over their freight infrastructure. The ARTC proposal could directly affect some 1500 current employees, with only 800 workers being offered a three-year job guarantee, and the remainder being made redundant. If the proposal was accepted, the future of the rail freight services to Tamworth and Armidale would be under threat. In Tamworth there are 23 rail track workers, plus a further 18 employed in the Signal branch as well as the bridge and major periodic maintenance (MPM) area that would be directly affected. Another 4 jobs in Werris Creek and one in Gunnedah would be in doubt also. Mr Draper also has concerns over the proposal's failure to address fundamental safety issues. The maintenance budget is well below the standards set by State Rail, and there are no guarantees that the rail tracks will be maintained at the standards set by the Rail Infrastructure Corporation. "ARTC propose offering rail maintenance contracts for public tender after a three year moratorium, and I am concerned that a system where the lowest bidder may be successful could be introduced," said Mr Draper. "Lessons should have been learned from the Glenbrook rail disaster in 1999, where safety issues were criticised for contributing to the accident." "If ARTC were to control the rail tracks as an independent lessor, it would be difficult for the State Government to ensure maintenance standards are kept at the necessary level to ensure safety across the network," said Mr Draper. "Transport Minister Carl Scully has been quoted in the media as stating that the proposal is unacceptable in its current form," Mr Draper commented. "I would urge the State Government to consider the number of workers who may be affected by the ARTC proposal. I would also ask the Government not to risk valuable rail services to rural and regional NSW in return for a short-term financial investment by the Federal Government. Not only could rail safety standards be at risk, but also if services to rural areas ceased, the resulting increase in heavy road transport would pose serious risks to road users in the State. If feeder lines closed in our area, the transport of grain would see many more heavy vehicles on our local roads." |