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From the Editor
Issue 11 - December 2021
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Ray Chan
Editor - Rail Express
Welcome to the December issue of Rail Express.
Had things gone as planned, we would have been getting together this month for rail industry’s major annual conference, AusRAIL PLUS.
But as we all know, nothing is ever certain in the new normal imposed upon us by COVID. With the original Brisbane venue unable to be committed because of Queensland border restrictions, organisers had to look at other options.
The good news of course is that AusRAIL PLUS 2021 is now confirmed, with a new location and a new date, albeit one that encroaches into early next year.
The largest rail industry convocation in the southern hemisphere has been greenlit to proceed at the International Convention Centre in Sydney from 28 February to 2 March. With NSW’s roadmap out of lockdown confirming the state will be open for business in the new year, the move to Sydney was a necessary compromise.
Hosted by the Australasian Railway Association and organised by Informa Connect, the convention brings together all facets of the rail industry under the one roof over three days, incorporating an expansive program combined with an extensive trade exhibition.
This will be the first time in nearly two years for industry stakeholders to reconnect with many colleagues and customers outside of Teams and Zoom chats, and I am sure there will be many professional and personal catch-ups, old and new, as products are showcased and news gets picked off the grapevine.
Moreover, the event is an opportunity to come together to collaborate and share ideas and solutions to meet the challenges of a rejuvenated rail industry across Australia, which has ironically boomed during a period of pandemic lockdowns.
And on that matter, it goes without saying that we’re barely out of the woods when it comes to the virus: the rail industry, being an essential service and hence at the frontline, is particularly prone and needs to be afforded the strongest levels of protection.
Whether it’s driving a train, working on the tracks, loading and unloading freight or liaising with commuters at the stations, just one positive COVID case can shut down the entire workplace.
There is merit to calls for vaccinations to be prioritised for transport workers, in particular those who live in regional Australia where vaccine supplies are limited.
The Australian Logistics Council has also called for on-site COVID testing facilities to be installed at major freight terminals.
Pacific National chief executive Paul Scurrah went one step further when he encouraged the use of rapid antigen testing (RAT), which provides a simple, efficient method for frontline rail workers to screen for the virus at home before showing up to a shift.
Scurrah cited an instance when Pacific National was forced to temporarily shut down its Sydney Freight Terminal at Chullora due to a positive case and associated close and casual contacts having to isolate.
The event resulted in a shortage of available train crew and terminal operators, which in turn led to delayed and cancelled interstate rail freight services between Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
He said countries like the United Kingdom, Germany and United States had successfully deployed RAT as a quick screening tool, including use of home testing kits, to help in the overall fight to contain COVID.
It’s critical that the movement of essential goods continues uninterrupted and that those Australians who need it most can access the supplies they need.
Services run by Victoria’s regional train service V/Line were also recently disrupted when several staff returned positive numbers. The chain reaction that a solitary COVID infection can cause spreads swiftly, and extra safety measures must be put in place to protect these coalface heroes.
Australia cannot risk the shutdown of passenger and distribution centres or a reduction in heavy vehicle and train drivers and rail maintenance workers. Ensuring the continued flow of the nation’s food, medical, and essential goods supplies should be a priority.
