Ulverstone on track for level crossing upgrades

The RLCUF aims to improve railway crossing safety in regional areas and reduce serious and fatal crashes that have a devastating impact on communities.

“There are over 23,000 level crossings in Australia. They’re places where cars and trucks intersect with trains, and where road users are at their most vulnerable. Through the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund, we’re making railway crossings safer, Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich said the news of the funding came at a critical time.

“As part of our commitment to level crossing safety in Tasmania TasRail, with the assistance of the State Government, made a submission to round one of the RLCUF,” Mr Dietrich said.

“We were able to secure $5 million for a program of safety upgrades across the State. The Australian Government has committed $4 million to the Tasmanian works, with a further $1 million co-investment from the State Government.

“We thank both levels of government for their support on this important issue, highlighting to the community that rail safety matters.” 

This investment will help deliver priority projects at 10 level crossings for railway crossing improvements across a large area of Tasmania.

With 13 active level crossings in less than 4km – that’s not including passive and pedestrian crossings – Mr Dietrich said that Ulverstone was a prime candidate for this targeted regional funding.

“Much of our network was constructed well over a century ago and intersects with a number of regional towns. Ulverstone is a prime example of that,” Mr Dietrich said.

Despite the upgrades, however, he said it was incumbent on drivers to ensure they were abiding by road rules.

"When you see the lights and bells or signs, please stop," Mr Dietrich said.

"There's only one party that has a choice, one user at that level crossing has a choice to make the right decision."

Works under this round of funding will include:

• 5 active crossing engineering upgrades (Main Street, Reiby Street, Buttons Avenue, Alexandra Parade, Water Street). “These will help to streamline TasRail’s services through the area and allow for remote reporting.”
• 3 augmented stop sign installations at passive level crossings (Picnic Point Road in West Ulverstone, and two at Westbury) – “This new technology has been successfully trialled in regional NSW – lighting up to alert motorists as they approach the crossing. These will be a first in Tasmania and we hope to see improvements in driver behaviour at the chosen locations.”
• 3 yellow box marking installations where vehicle queuing risks exist (Reiby Street, Main Street, and Hobbs Parade)
• A passive crossing at Oonah Road on the Melba Line (Highclere) will be upgraded to an active crossing, with lights and bells replacing current signage.

TasRail’s projects under round one of the RLCUF are expected to be completed by quarter three 2026.

 More information on the RLCUF and its guidelines is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts website.