Costa warns of action against rail agencies’ management

<p>New South Wales transport minister Michael Costa could take disciplinary action against the managers of the State Rail Authority (SRA) and the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) in the wake of three damning audits.</p> <p>"These audits confirm safety issues have not been effectively addressed by the rail agencies," Mr Costa said.</p> <p>"They also confirm the decision to restructure the rail agencies as part of the NSW Government’s transport restructure."</p> <p>He said the lack of standards, coordination and accountability among the agencies is "unacceptable".</p> <p>"Management has allowed these problems to continue over extended periods," Mr Costa said.</p> <p>His comments follow this week’s release of three reports: the 2003 safety critical infrastructure, the SRA 2002 safety audit, and the RIC 2002 safety audit.</p> <p>They reports identified:</p> <p>&#8226 "Systemic weaknesses" within the two agencies’ asset management plans </p> <p>&#8226 Deficiencies in the inspection, defect reporting, verification and quality assurance process and</p> <p>&#8226 Existing and emerging shortages of competent maintenance staff.</p> <p>Mr Costa has appointed a common CEO and board to oversee both organisations and drive safety and maintenance improvements. </p> <br />