NSW:Decision on handing over rail maintenance long way off - gvt

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NSW:Decision on handing over rail maintenance long way off - gvt

SYDNEY, Dec 3 AAP - A proposal to break up maintenance of the regional rail track systemwas unlikely to be made before the 2003 NSW election, the government said today.

Rail unions have been lobbying the state government to make a decision on the leasingout of rural rail tracks and track maintenance, a move they claim will cost 1,500 ruraljobs.

The federal government wants the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to take overoperation of interstate rail tracks across the country.

Unions, which are opposed to the move, had wanted a response from the government beforethe NSW state election in March.

But during question time today, NSW Treasurer Michael Egan said a decision on the planwas a long way down the track.

"The principle of there being one track access corporation throughout Australia hasgreat appeal," he said.

"Before the NSW government would sign up to any proposal we would have to be satisfiedon a number of grounds - safety, reliability, financial arrangements and the industrialrelations issues.

"We are a long, long way from finalising our evaluation or, for that matter, any negotiationswith the federal government."

Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary Nick Lewocki said if the ARTC took over thetrack system, maintenance would be contracted out, at a cost of 1,500 regional jobs.

"The NSW government can lease the track to ARTC, but we are saying don't do that,"

Mr Lewocki said.

Rail workers embarked on a regional rail tour two weeks ago, highlighting their concernsabout the loss of jobs and collecting signatures to take to the government opposing theplan.

AAP nd/arb/las

KEYWORD: RAIL