The warning systems in place to alert GWA staff as to the severity of a flood event at the Edith River Rail Bridge were ineffective.
GWA has proposed new policies/procedures, training and systems to mitigate risk of a similar recurrence.
GWA is actively engaged in the assessment of a range of systems designed to provide advance warning of extreme weather events and flooding at predetermined locations. To this extent, GWA is also reviewing the risk profile of the Tarcoola-Darwin railway relative to its structures and local hydrology with the aim of focussing attention and mitigating strategies against future flood events to potential high risk locations.
At the same time, GWA is establishing closer relationships with a range of Government agencies including the NT BoM and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport with the aim of fostering a better understanding of the resources these agencies may be able to provide and any limitations that may exist in relation to the monitoring and reporting of extreme weather events and potential flooding. Lastly, GWA is pursuing the installation of Stream Flow Detection (SFD) system for the six (6) major bridges (as defined by ADrail and having a 30 metre span) north of Katherine.
The system will comprise of a detection unit, communication modem and two aspect signals. The position of these signals is yet to be determined but GWA is working towards having them sighted 2.5 km from the bridges. The unit will detect when water levels are about to reach the ‘top of formation’ and will provide an alert to both train control and train crews. This technology has been successfully implemented in the Pilbara region recently.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is satisfied that the action proposed by Genesee & Wyoming Australia Pty Ltd will adequately address the safety issue.
