The Rail Track Association Australia reflects on the recent AusRAIL PLUS 2015 conference in Melbourne and calls for better focus on rail over roads. Image: Brian Yap
Having now recovered from AusRAIL PLUS 2015, and as the year draws to an end, it is an appropriate time to reflect on what the event means to the rail industry.
As President of the Rail Track Association Australia (RTAA), it is also an opportunity to consider the event in the context of my role and that of the Association’s.
To gauge how big this year’s event was, my statistics for the four days provide some insight:
- walked 93,500 steps – that’s 69 kilometres
- reacquainted myself with countless colleagues and peers
- met dozens of rail people for the first time
- we hosted 931 guests at the RTAA’s Yellow Tie dinner – awesome!
So, what does AusRAIL mean for the Australian rail industry as a whole?
AusRAIL is critical to the resurgence of railways in Australia by showcasing what is great about our industry.
Sadly, we have fallen behind most modern cities as we continue our apparent love affair with the car.
If we are to be a global player, we must establish high density urban living which is supported by efficient public transport.
AusRAIL gives us an opportunity to demonstrate that the best of the best is already here. In this way, we can influence those who can invest in it. From the RTAA’s perspective, we aim to influence this through our work across the country, including at a local and regional level.
As anyone who knows Sydney will tell you, the light rail project is long overdue. This is definitely an “Oak Tree Investment” – plant and grow the acorn for future generations to reap the rewards.
The conundrum however is, governments generally survive for three years. Rail projects take significantly longer to bring to fruition. How do we engage our politicians to work on a pipeline of rail infrastructure projects that will, not only provide for future generations, but also attract overseas investment and provide jobs for our own talent? This was the biggest topic of conversation over the week – I hope Mr Turnbull is listening.
I see my role as supporting the work of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) in lobbying successive governments to put rail ahead of roads. That is, keeping it front of mind when deciding what infrastructure Australia should be building.
One thing that is clear to me, building railways, not roads, creates a better future for all Australians.
David Bainbridge is President of the Rail Track Association Australia.
