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We recognise that in moving valuable
freight from destination-to-destination
around the country, the very nature of
rail operations can have an impact on
our local communities.
And while rail freight is by far the most
sustainable and safe land transport
mode available, we have a commitment
to being a responsible neighbour.
Some of the initiatives we have
delivered over the year include:
•
•
Improving the way our teams assess
environmental and community impacts
before they start works with a focus
on minimising noise, dust and other
environmental impacts.
•
•
Delivering a high number of site
environmental inspections and new
tool box talks focused on care for
the environment.
•
•
Producing new environmental induction
training and noise prediction tools for
use by frontline staff.
•
•
Working with our industry stakeholders
and the NSW EPA to understand more
about coal deposition in the rail corridor.
•
•
Completing a trial Rail Noise Abatement
Program in the Hunter Valley.
•
•
Successfully relocating native Osprey
birds to new nest poles on the Bellingen
River near Repton on the North Coast
of NSW.
•
•
Trialling biodegradable rail lubricator
greases at Cootamundra and Goulburn
and undertaking ecological mapping
of the Unanderra to Moss Vale line –
a sensitive ecological area.
•
•
Trialling composite sleepers (recycled
product) on the North Coast and
improving our sleeper disposal
and management strategies.
•
•
Over the year we have also built upon
the way we engage with community
leaders and the image we present.
For example in the Hunter Valley we
have introduced a ‘5S’ campaign,
to improve the presentation of our
people and depots in the community.
The majority of our staff live, work and
play locally – and are very conscious
of the impacts of our operations.
It is also why we are proud of our
regional footprint and the investment and
employment we provide to communities
across Australia. Our maintenance and
construction works for example, directly
support regional businesses to the tune
of more than $200 million a year; through
everything from using local contract
labour, to hire companies, quarries,
service stations, local shops, cafes,
accommodation and office supplies.
Not only does our investment in
the community support local jobs and
businesses, we are also ensuring a vital
lifeline for many of these communities
– the rail line itself – remains safe and
continues to be upgraded.
COMMUNITY &
ENVIRONMENT
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