Level Crossings Upgrade
Page: 12926
Mr MARTIN: My question without notice is addressed to the Minister for Roads. What is the latest information on the Government's plan to improve level crossings?
Mr SCULLY: There have been some terrible tragedies and some near misses at level crossings in recent times. Every member of this House will recall the tragedy at Gerogery, near Wagga Wagga, on 27 January this year, an accident that claimed the lives of five young men—Kyle Wooden, Luke Milne, Cameron Tucker, Ben Wilkins and Graham Kelly. They were young footballers on their way to Albury to see a mate play a trial match with the Melbourne Storm. It was a senseless accident and it had a profound effect on the local community, the families and the young people of Wagga Wagga. This morning near Orange there was a level crossing accident involving the Indian Pacific. I am advised that two people were in a car that collided with the front locomotive. One person was seriously injured. Both the driver and passenger of the car are in hospital.
From the earliest development of New South Wales' transport infrastructure, roads and railways have crossed paths. There are 1,002 level crossings in New South Wales, of which 330 have lights, bells or boom gates. Smaller level crossings have warning signs. Although the number of level crossing accidents has decreased in the past five years, I have remained concerned at the number of accidents that have occurred. Since July 1995 there have been 102 collisions between motor vehicles and trains at level crossings, resulting in 54 injuries and 23 fatalities. I take this opportunity to encourage all motorists to take greater care. There is an existing program to upgrade level crossings. The New South Wales Level Crossing Strategy Council—which comprises the Department of Transport, the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Rail Infrastructure Corporation and the Local Government and Shires Associations—determines sites that need improvement. Honourable members will be aware that the Government has already committed $180,000 to the Gerogery level crossing involved in the accident in January. I understand that the work will be completed late next month.
I am pleased to inform the House that the Government has decided to double spending on level crossing safety to $12 million over three years. This is in addition to nearly 50 level crossings which are already scheduled to be upgraded by 2003-04. A total of 130 level crossings will undergo safety improvements as a result of this investment. Priority for upgrading will be determined by the Level Crossing Strategy Council chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Transport. It will be based on accident history, risk assessments and consultation with local councils. The focus will be on more active protection at more sites. This includes more than 30 priority sites to be upgraded from warning signs to warning lights and bells. A number of areas have already been identified as needing priority upgrading, from stop signs to lights and bells.
They are Old Bangalow Road, Byron Bay, on the Casino to Murwillumbah line; Upper Burringbar Road on the Casino to Murwillumbah line; Wallerawang Road, Wallerawang, on the Main Western line; Young Road, near Parkes, on the Main Western line; Eulomogo Road and Buniyong Road, both near Dubbo, on the Main Western line; and Old Trunk Road, The Rock, on the Main South line. Further sites will be determined by the Level Crossing Strategy Council following safety assessment and consultation with local councils. These measures will help to reduce the level of risk at these crossings, making it safer for both road users and rail travellers. Following the terrible accident at Gerogery I received a letter from the honourable member for Wagga Wagga and I have spoken to him about this matter.
The honourable member certainly brought home to me just how damaging significant accidents such as that at Gerogery can be and the profound effect that they can have on the local community. The honourable member for Wagga Wagga drew to my attention the need for the Staysafe committee to examine this issue. I agree with his suggestion. I support it and thank him for his constructive involvement in this issue. Following the concern he raised and discussions I have had—I might add that members of Country Labor have also brought to me their concerns about this safety issue where road and rail cross—I believe it is appropriate that the Staysafe committee examine the issue. I have spoken with the chairman of that committee and indicated to him that I will be making a formal reference to the Standing Committee on Road Safety to enable this examination to take place.