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Fuel Tanker Crash Highlights Need for More Rail Freight

On Dec 31 2010 a B Double carrying 38,000 Litres of fuel hit the guard rail on the recently rebuilt Old Pacific Highway, instantly killing the driver and creating a massive fireball. The road was closed for almost 24 hours. 100 emergency vehicles attended the accident scene, and the disruption and cost ran into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Miraculously, no other car taken out as the 60 tonne inflammable truck crossed the road and came to rest before the explosion.

Mr Gilding who  witnessed the accident said, " I do not believe that the driver was speeding. I believe that the condition of the road which has major dips and bends was a major contributing factor. The road,  which was built less than 12 months ago has subsided and is like a roller coaster. ".

Petrol Tanker Road Karma Revisited

Commenting on a similar  fatal accident last year  that killed three people, Greens MP Lee Rhiannon called on Premier Kristina Kenneally to reinstate the subsidy for bulk fuel transported by rail.

“I extend sympathy on behalf of the Greens to the families of those killed in this tragedy,” Ms Rhiannon said. “The lessons from this horrific accident need to be acted upon to prevent more deaths and injuries.

“As well as targeting the black spots on the Princes Highway, the NSW government must ensure that where possible fuel is moved by rail. This is the safer form of transport.

“In November 2008 the Rees government ended its Fuel by Rail scheme that provided a 1.2 cents per litre subsidy to petrol companies. “Slashing the scheme saved the government $1.6 million, but has meant more petrol tankers on NSW roads.

“This poor policy decision that saves a paltry amount of money was brought down in the 2008 mini-budget. “Following this latest accident Premier Kenneally should move quickly to reinstate the rail subsidy for fuel transported from Sydney depots to western NSW and Canberra.

“The government should be moving to require fuel companies to transport bulk petroleum products by rail  whenever possible," Ms Rhiannon said.