TasRail has secured $5 million in funding to carry out safety upgrades across the state’s rail networks.
The Federal Government has committed $4 million from its Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund (RLCUF), while the remaining $1 million will come from the Tasmanian Government.
This investment will help deliver “priority projects” at 10 level crossings.
Ulverstone will be a major beneficiary of the funding, with five level crossings in the area scheduled for upgrades.
The works will include:
- Five active crossing upgrades in Ulverstone at Main Street, Reibey Street, Buttons Avenue, Alexandra Parade and Water Street
- Three augmented stop sign installations at passive level crossings: Picnic Point Road in West Ulverstone, and two at Westbury
- Three yellow box marking installations where vehicle queuing risks exist in Ulverstone at Reiby Street, Main Street, and Hobbs Parade
A passive crossing at Oonah Road on the Melba Line will also be upgraded to an active crossing, with lights and bells replacing current signage.
All of the upgrades are expected to be completed by September 2026.
“We thank the Australian and Tasmanian governments for their support on this important issue, highlighting to the community that rail safety matters,” said TasRail Chief Executive Officer Steven Dietrich.
With its RLCUF, the Federal Government has committed $160 million over four years to state and territory governments to support the cost of delivering railway crossing upgrades.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said: “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.”
The funding announcement comes during Rail Safety Week, with a series of events happening around Australia to remind the public to stay safe around trains and trams.
In 2024-25, reported instances of motorists failing to stop or give way at level crossings in Tasmania more than doubled, rising to 137 incidents from 68 the previous year.
Every region – North, Northwest and South – has seen a sharp increase in road user non-compliance. Two collisions also occurred during the reporting period.
“Level crossing incidents are traumatic for our locomotive drivers, emergency services, and local communities,” Dietrich said.
“This new funding will help us take real steps toward reducing the risk at key locations – but we also need all road users to do their part.”
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