The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) recently announced changes to the structure of two important rail industry bodies to further strengthen rail’s position as a leading passenger and freight transport mode of choice and a critical component of Australia’s transport infrastructure.
ARA Chairman Lindsay Tanner, outlined the changes that commenced in early March 2014 to separate the Rail Industry and Safety Standards Board (RISSB) from the ARA and create a separate and independent RISSB.
"This decision was aimed at driving further progress in improving rail’s safety and productivity and to more closely align to the objectives of the newly established Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR)," said Mr Tanner.
"A new RISSB Board is now leading the establishment of the separated RISSB to be completed by 1 July 2015.
"This also follows the creation of the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) in 2014, chaired by the Hon. John Anderson AO, as an independent rail research and innovation company.
"The ARA is now well positioned to review its own important role within the industry as the peak representative body for rail. This review is being led by a sub-committee of the ARA Board and will be completed over the next three months," he said.
Mr Tanner went on to announce that the very distinguished and long serving ARA CEO, Bryan Nye OAM, will leave the organisation on the 30 April.
"This is a new phase for the ARA, and it will be led by a new CEO following the decision by existing CEO Bryan Nye to stand down as of 30 April 2015. Bryan has made an enormous contribution to the industry since he was appointed as CEO of the ARA in 2003, some twelve years ago.
"In January 2014 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to the rail transport industry, and to the business sector. On behalf of all of its members, the ARA would like to thank Bryan for his leadership over the past 12 years and wish him the very best for the future.
Mr Tanner announced that he will also be leaving the ARA due to his term as Chairman coming to a close.
"After a two year period assisting the organisation with its transition I will finish my term in April 2015 and announce that Mr Bob Herbert AM has been appointed as Interim Chair to complete the review process," Mr Tanner concluded.
