Governments from across Australia and New Zealand have gathered with industry, peak bodies, academia and advocacy groups to hold a roundtable in Brisbane to discuss level crossing safely at a national level.
The roundtable saw discussions held to identify priority actions that will drive meaningful and effective improvements to level crossing safety across Australia.
The roundtable planned to discuss prioritising opportunities to harness innovation and new technology to upgrade level crossings to improve safety, as well as the need for a consistent national approach to increasing awareness and education.
The Federal Government said that these discussions are part of its efforts to ensure that innovative new technologies will be employed in support of high-priority railway crossing upgrades around the country through its $180 million Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program.
As part of the Australian Federal Government’s commitment to the National Level Crossing Safety Strategy 2023–32, a national driver education campaign will be introduced in 2024 in support of its zero harm goal at Australia’s level crossings.
Every year, crashes at level crossings result in injuries, loss of life, and significant economic costs. Collisions impact both road and rail users, families and communities.
The 23,000 level crossings across Australia present significant risk to rail and road network users and to the resilience of the nation’s transport systems.
The Federal Government has said that level crossing safety is a complex issue that requires a range of initiatives to improve safety and that this roundtable was a critical step in this journey, bringing stakeholders together to discuss additional actions in support of a safer level crossing future.
Australian Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, thanked the Queensland Government for hosting the event, and the National Level Crossing Safety Committee for an outstanding job in bringing everyone to the table to discuss this critical issue.
“I particularly want to thank Pacific National and the RTBU for their advocacy for this summit, following the tragic deaths of Mick Warren and Kevin Baker on New Year’s Eve, and the participation of Australia’s safety regulators,” Ms King said.
“The National Level Crossing Safety Committee will continue working together to expedite these actions to improve safety at level crossings throughout Australia.”
