V/line Teams With Councils To Reduce Livestock Losses

Wednesday, 11 March 2009


V/Line teams with councils to reduce livestock losses

V/Line will write to several thousand landowners across Victoria in a bid to save sheep
and cows from being hit by trains.

In the biggest direct safety awareness campaign undertaken by the rail operator, V/Line
will urge farmers to mend their fences as new figures show an increase in livestock
being hit by country trains.

The campaign begins this week, targeting more than 600 landowners along the worst
affected line between Ballarat and Ararat.

Property owners on the Bendigo, Swan Hill, Echuca, Geelong, Warrnambool, Traralgon,
Bairnsdale, Seymour, Shepparton and Albury / Wodonga lines will also be contacted
over the next several months.

In 2008, V/Line's Ballarat / Ararat line had the most issues with animals in the state, with
trains involved in 42 incidents, killing 105 animals including more than 90 sheep. In the
same year, there were more than 160 near misses of animals on the line.

Statewide, there were 226 animals killed by trains in 2008, including 163 cattle and
sheep.

V/Line Chief Executive, Rob Barnett, said it cost the rail operator (and ultimately the
taxpayer), up to $10,000 every time a train was unable to complete its journey due to
hitting livestock on the line.

"Trains hitting livestock is an issue for V/Line, passengers and farmers. It can delay
people, cause damage to our trains, and there's also a big cost to the farmer," Mr
Barnett said.

"One of the more disturbing incidents was in April last year was when a train ran through
a flock of sheep near Beaufort and killed 20.

"Trains can take up to a kilometre to stop. Livestock on the lines are not only in danger of
being hit, but it's also a very upsetting experience for our drivers and customers."

Damaged trains are costly to repair and passengers are usually delayed, often
transferred to coaches to complete their journey.


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Mr Barnett said there was a low understanding among many farmers of their
responsibility to maintain their fences bordering rail reserves.

"We're keen to raise awareness of the issues in the farming community, to avoid the
need for council rangers to impound livestock.

"But we can't allow animals to roam on the lines, so impounding livestock is the next step
after we've raised awareness," Mr Barnett said.

Landowners can also download a copy of a special information brochure from
vline.com.au/livestock or request a copy by calling 136 196.


V/Line trains hitting livestock (cattle and sheep)
2008 incidents 2008 kills
Ballarat & Ararat 25 105
Bendigo, Swan Hill & Echuca 6 17
Geelong & Warrnambool 6 16
Gippsland 7 11
Seymour, Shepparton & Albury/Wodonga 6 9
Metro network & freight 3 5
Total 53 163

V/Line trains hitting animals (inc. livestock, kangaroos, dogs, birds etc.)
2008 incidents 2008 kills
Ballarat & Ararat 42 125
Bendigo, Swan Hill & Echuca 41 52
Geelong & Warrnambool 9 19
Gippsland 13 17
Seymour, Shepparton & Albury/Wodonga 13 16
Metro network & freight 5 7
Total 123 236

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