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Posted by David Sexton
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21 July, 2026
SOUTHERN Shorthaul Railways has been permitted to resume some operations following a decision by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR).
As reported by DCN, the ONRSR removed Holdco/SSR’s accreditation due to several incidents including one on 4 July at Berrima in which several wagons rolled.
Some restrictions were subsequently eased to allow rail access to Melbourne Intermodal Terminal at Somerton.
National Rail Safety Regulator Natalie Pelham subsequently announced a second “partial lifting” of the Holdco Holdings suspension over the weekend.
The operations allowed under the second partial liftings are:
- Manildra Group – Manildra regional grain shuttle service
- Manildra Group - Nowra grain and flour bulk services
- Manildra Group – container services between Nowra and Marrickville Junction Manildra Group and container services between Nowra and Botany
- Mauri Foods – formerly George Weston Foods
- Swift (ex Linx Cargo Care)
The action is expected to allow Holdco to resume those operations deemed by the ONRSR as “no longer posing a serious and immediate risk to safety”.
ONRSR’s assessment, which included a series of onsite inspections, involved “a comprehensive review of Holdco’s safety management system and its application”, with focusing on rolling stock, safety governance and assurance and management accountabilities and responsibilities.
All permitted Holdco operations remain subject to continued additional regulatory oversight.
According to the ONRSR, the legal provisions that enable the regulator to suspend an operator’s accreditation stipulate that the suspension can only remain in place where there is evidence of a serious and immediate risk to safety.
Dr Pelham said all Holdco operations ONRSR had deemed to be “high-risk” remained suspended.
“The steps ONRSR has taken since suspending Holdco’s accreditation represent the application of a proportionate and reasonable response to a serious rail safety issue and our focus on ensuring the safety of those in the rail industry and members of the public are effectively managed,” she said.
