The Melbourne to Adelaide rail corridor has been closed after a train derailment occurred between Inverleigh and Gheringhap (30km west of Geelong) in Victoria early this morning.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) said there were no injuries to the train crew nor were there dangerous goods containers impacted by the incident.
The service derailed with up to 16 containers displaced on both sides of the track and some within an adjoining paddock.
Response crews and emergency services are on site while the ARTC works with freight customers on a recovery plan.
The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator has been notified and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has taken control of the site.
Victoria was hit by wet weather overnight, with flash flooding in many areas, including Inverleigh.
The ARTC said that as floodwaters continue to impact large parts of NSW, local teams were doing everything they could to support local communities.
“The impact across the region is devastating for so many and we’re working to restore the rail infrastructure and services as quickly as possible,” a spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) said the incident underscored calls last week for urgent federal and state funding and a plan to tackle the massive job of repairing and reinstating road and rail freight networks.
VTA chief executive Peter Anderson said the derailment was reportedly caused by the tracks buckling as water continuously seeped underneath them.
“We need our political leaders out there committing resources to fix the damage that’s been done as soon as possible, in what are clearly unprecedented rain and weather events and outside the ordinary maintenance of our transportation networks,” he said.
“As a result of the rail corridor closure for the wreckage to be cleared and the damage assessed and repaired, we would expect an increase in road freight transport between Melbourne and Adelaide.
“Freight will always find a way to get to customers and consumers, particularly during our peak season leading into Christmas.
“With the expected increase in heavy vehicle traffic, we ask all motorists to take additional care on the roads to prevent accidents and keep everyone as safe as possible.”