Background:
In recent years, climate change and environmental sustainability
have become increasingly significant in Australia. Greater pressure
is placed on Australian transport operators, including the rail
industry, to address these crucial public concerns.
In particular, an ability to assess the cost of disparate
environmental legislation/
regulations and the resultant lack of harmonisation is vital. It
is also important to investigate whether, in addressing these
matters, the industry could adopt a leading-practice model that
satisfies all stakeholders.
Objective:
The project aims to determine the impact and costs of the
current lack of harmonisation with respect to legislation and
regulation pertaining to the environmental performance of the
Australian rail sector.
Project
scope:
The project will concentrate on greenhouse gas emissions,
particulates, and noise, in addition to regulations pertaining to
infrastructure provision.
The project also aims to concentrate on regulations and any
fragmentation or inconsistency that relates specifically or closely
to rail, rather than those pertaining to the transport sector in
general.
Benefits
The project investigates possible improvements to the operating
environmental of the rail industry with respect to legislation and
regulations. The project has the potential to benefit both above
and below-rail industry as well as relevant Government agencies. It
will promote best-practice and consistency in the industry, leading
to better environmental and social outcomes.
Expected outcomes:
Business case for development of single national framework for
environmental best practice and comprehensive analysis of existing
regulations pertaining to rail operations.
Project timeframe:
12 Months
Project
Chair:
Christopher
Collier, GM Environment, Safety & Environment Group,
Railcorp
Project
Leader:
Michael Charles, Senior Lecturer, Southern Cross University
Tel: (07) 5506 9349
Email: michael.charles@scu.edu.au
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