Westinghouse Rail Systems Australia (WRSA) has joined forces with Queensland Rail (QR) to form ASPECT3, a signalling program alliance, to undertake widespread rail signalling projects in the Goonyella and Blackwater coal systems.
Earlier this month, after months of planning, the alliance agreement was signed by Phil Ellingworth – Managing Director, WRSA and Lance Hockridge – CEO, QR. This major milestone formally recognises the agreement between WRSA and QR to collaboratively plan and deliver signalling infrastructure projects throughout
Minister for Transport John Mickel was at QR's Mackay Control Room on "This is about bringing together the best of the private sector with QR industry knowledge. It's about using QR's resources and harnessing industry capability," said Mr Mickel. "The project work undertaken by the signalling alliances will generate approximately 200 new jobs across Goonyella and Blackwater and will improve the capacity of the network. The alliances will allow QR Network to respond to the demand for new rail infrastructure quickly and efficiently," he said.
QR Network Executive General Manager Mike Carter commented, "Signalling is a critical element for the enhancement of the coal rail network, providing the means to safely and efficiently manage train operations on the QR Network. Without it, we would not be able to optimise the potential capacity of the system." "The signalling projects over the next five years in the coal network will have a potential value of around $150 million a year. QR Network is undertaking the biggest program ever of new coal rail infrastructure and other network infrastructure works," he said.
The formation of ASPECT3 will assist QR to deliver projects economically and on time whilst ensuring the skills, talent and resources are available and the challenges are shared. Each organisation is fully committed to ASPECT3 and the objectives established by the