6461
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: cancon@bigpond.net.au
issue 145 | 04.10.10 | Page 1
End of the line
Forest closures allow concrete to win lion’s share of railway sleeper market
By JIM BOWDEN
THE determination of state governments to convert more and more sustainable productive hardwood forest to nature reserves has claimed another victim – the iconic timber railway sleeper that has been supporting Australia’s rail system for more than 150 years. The recent locking away of 101,000 ha of red gum forests in New South Wales was the final fracture in the derailment of a section of industry that has put 50 million timber sleepers into service across the country. But the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has a solution – pull out the timber tracks and replace them with concrete sleepers. It has signed
Derailed .. timber sleepers lose out to concrete.
Advertising: Tel +61 7 3256 1779 Email: cancon@bigpond.net.au
off on a billion-dollar “do-it-asfast-as-you-can” contract to replace all wooden sleepers on the rail line between Melbourne and Sydney and more than 500,000 new concrete sleepers have already been laid. But there’s a frightening flaw in this grand scheme – since the concrete sleepers have been laid, oozing mud has washed away the stone ballast leaving the sleepers and track exposed. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union claims the line is in its worstever condition and a train driver on the ABC 7.30 report says it is “a disaster waiting to happen”. “Anyone that goes on any of those tracks will tell you it Cont Page 2
This Issue • Tasmanian premier asks for ‘hurry up’ on forest debate • VicForests announces $3.6m profit
Book
on Kyogle’s timber history was a labour of love • Sign-off on grading standards urged • EWPAA expands certification skills to sawn timber • Hazard reduction – a burning issue • SET project helps build sustainable skills development
issue 145 | 04.10.10 | Page 1