THE deaths of 11 people at a level crossing in northern Victoria nine years ago should have been enough for something to be done about ALL level crossings in the state.
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But yet another train crash, this time near Colac on Wednesday afternoon, was proof nothing was really learned from the tragic crash at Kerang in 2007, where 11 people died and 23 injured after a truck ploughed into a V/Line passenger train at a level crossing.
Even after the 2007 crash, a coroner recommended transport authorities investigate new warning systems at level crossings.
Coroner Jane Hentlass made 25 recommendations, including calling for changes to level crossing warnings and emergency response procedures.
Nine years after the Kerang crash and after the recommendations from the coroner, the level crossing in question at this week’s crash was still to be fixed.
Oh, and this was despite it being “fast-tracked” 17 months ago for the installation of boom gates and warning signals.
Not good enough.
The level crossing in Pirron Yallock near Colac was named in a February 2015 media release as one of three country crossings fast-tracked for upgrades.
So why, a year and a half later, was nothing done about it?
It was a tragedy waiting to happen and, on Wednesday afternoon, it nearly was.
Eighteen people were taken to hospital after the V/Line passenger train and a truck collided at the level crossing.
It was amazing no-one was killed in Wednesday’s crash. But what really is the tragedy here is the fact it took a near-fatal experience to highlight the fact nothing had been done about this level crossing.
Which begs the question, how many other dangerous level crossings are still operating in Victoria without the necessary safety equipment, as recommended by the Kerang crash coroner?
Oh, but detailed design and planning had been completed for the gates and electrical and signalling works at the Pirron Yallock crossing.
Again, not good enough.
"The installation of the boom gates and the signals are on track to be completed at the end of this year," Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said on Thursday.
That’s not good enough Ms Allan. Works on this and other crossings needed to have been completed long before now.
