SSR suspension partially lifted

A SUSPENSION imposed upon Holdco Holdings/Southern Shorthaul Rail has been partially lifted, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) says.

The ONRSR had suspended SSR’s accreditation following several safety occurrences that culminated in “a serious incident” at Berrima, New South Wales, on 4 July.

“Since the suspension was announced, Holdco has sought to assure ONRSR that it has addressed the immediate risks to safety associated with some of its low-risk operations,” the regulator said in a statement.

“Following a thorough assessment of the company’s submissions, that included a series of onsite inspections, the National Rail Safety Regulator, Dr Natalie Pelham, has made the decision to partially lift the suspension to allow Holdco to undertake some low-risk railway operations.

“These operations will be subject to additional regulatory oversight. Holdco’s accreditation in respect of all other parts of its railway operations remains suspended in accordance with the notice of immediate suspension.”

The ONRSR said it continued to investigate the incident at Berrima and to work with Holdco in relation to the ongoing suspension.

“ONRSR’s priority remains to ensure that risk to the safety of those in the rail industry and members of the public are effectively managed,” the regulator stated.

This decision is expected to benefit customers at Melbourne’s Intermodal Container Terminal at Somerton, SSR providing important rail services to that facility, albeit ITC chief executive Mishkel Maharaj told DCN freight movements during the week had continued effectively using road.

Meanwhile, the ABC reported the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) saying it had safety concerns about 24 hours before a major derailment of one of its trains in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.

Speaking to the ABC, RTBU locomotive division secretary Farren Campbell welcomed the regulator's decision to suspend SSR's licence.

He said a meeting between the union and SSR was held on Friday (3 July), about 24 hours before the derailment, to discuss reports from workers of “inadequate procedures and training, aging rolling stock and a toxic workplace culture”.

DCN has approached SSR for comment, however the company has not accepted the offer at the time of publication.