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Rail Safety

Mission Statement

To develop, implement, monitor and continuously improve a rail safety administration and regulation regime promoting safe railway ownership and operations in the Territory.

 

Our History

Traditionally, railways were mostly owned by States. The ownership also included responsibility for rail safety regulation and administration.

With the commercialisation in the 90’s of the railway industry, it was not possible to retain the previous system of rail safety regulation.

The commercialisation has resulted in significant developments, in particular:

  • Introduction of third party access which has led in many cases to separation of track ownership from train operations;
  • A number of new rail owners and operators have emerged;
  • Across-border operation has become common;
  • Various important functions, for example track maintenance, have been contracted out to specialised organisations;
  • Increased competition among the railway operators as well as between the road and the rail.

As a result, the traditional picture of state railways looking after their local affairs within well-defined boundaries has changed dramatically.

In 1998, the Northern Territory Government became a signatory to the InterGovernmental Agreement on Rail Safety. This was followed by the proclamation of the NT Rail Safety Act, the cornerstone of the NT rail safety regulatory system.

The Rail Safety Unit was created in February 1999 as a response to the rapidly changing regulatory environment in Australia. The unit is a part of the Transport Safety Division and reports to Nick Papandonakis, Director Transport Safety.

 

National Reforms

In order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the national rail safety regulatory system, an extensive program of national rail safety reform was launched in 2002/03.  The key stakeholders are the Rail Safety Regulators and the rail industry. National Transport Commission (NTC) is the chief coordinating body.

A significant part of the reform is the development of a national rail safety legislation, including the Act and Regulations. It is expected that the outcome of the reform will be a well harmonised regulatory system benefiting both the industry and the Regulators.