The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Tasrail’s investment in 17 new locomotives as a significant step to revitalise rail freight services, long mired by worn out rolling stock and crumbling infrastructure.
Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that the funding injection into rolling stock was long overdue.
“Although it’s many years overdue, this is a significant step in ensuring the ongoing viability of rail freight in the state,” Mr Morris said.
“This investment must be managed properly to ensure that Tasmania ends up with a world-class rail network that delivers cost savings for businesses and boosts productivity.”
“This will provide capacity to take even more freight off the Bass and Midland Highways, improving road safety and reducing carbon emissions.”
“Years of neglect through lack of funding has left Tasmania’s rail system in a terrible state, and the Greens have long advocated the need for a massive investment to get rail back on track.”
“The Greens took a commitment for greater investment in rolling stock to the last election, and it’s an issue we’ve taken into State Budget negotiations for the past two years.”
“Tasrail’s Chairman Bob Annells put it perfectly last week when he said that you wouldn’t wish Tasrail’s rolling stock on your worst enemy.”
“A damning infrastructure report card by Engineers Australia last year highlighted the need for a massive injection of funding into the state’s dilapidated rail system.” [1]
“This investment, when it arrives, will lift us off the bottom rung nationally for rail infrastructure. There is still a considerable amount that needs to meet the states rail freight needs, including an equally large investment in wagons to improve carrying capacity and reduce derailments.”
“Mr Annells and CEO Mr Damien White are to be congratulated for having made this decision, which marks a significant turning point for Tasrail,” Mr Morris said.
Reference: “Tasmania’s 2010 Infrastructure Report Card,” Engineers Australia, released 25 May 2010, http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/irctas/
