Business
20 July, 2026
Another modification to rail operator’s suspended accreditation
Holdco Holdings (trading as Southern Shorthaul Railways) has been permitted to undertake additional rail operations deemed as low risk.
Holdco Holdings (trading as Southern Shorthaul Railways) has been permitted to undertake additional rail operations deemed as low risk.
The decision by the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) was announced yesterday (Sunday).
All of the company’s operations deemed high risk remain suspended.
As reported by The Southern Wire, ONRSR suspended SSR’s accreditation following a series of serious incidents culminating in a derailment at Berrima on July 4.
The NSW Rail, Tram and Bus Union said it raised safety concerns at a meeting with SSR the day before the Berrima derailment.
SSR had also been involved in runaway events at Clyde in March and Marulan in May.
Nail Rail Safety Regulator Dr Natalie Pelham said this second modification to SSR’s suspended accreditation had been made as part of the ongoing assessment and verification process required under Rail Safety National Law.
She said the decision would allow SSR to resume those operations which have been deemed by ONRSR as no longer posing a serious and immediate risk to safety.
This latest partial lifting of the suspension follows the Regulator’s decision to permit SSR to resume an initial series of low-risk railway operations earlier this month.
Dr Pelham said ONRSR’s assessment - which included a series of onsite inspections - involved a comprehensive review of SSR’s safety management system and its application, with a focus on rolling stock operations, safety governance and assurance, management accountabilities and responsibilities.
She said all permitted SSR’s operations would be subject to continued additional regulatory oversight including onsite inspections.
Dr Pelham said the initial suspension of SSR’s accreditation was based on a determination that there was a serious and immediate risk to safety.
“The steps ONRSR has taken since suspending Holdco’s accreditation represent the application of a proportionate and reasonable response to a serious rail safety issue and our focus on ensuring the safety of those in the rail industry and members of the public are effectively managed,” Dr Pelham said.
Boral Concrete terminated its contract with Holdco following the July 4 incident and has said alternative road and rail transport arrangements are already in place.
The NSW Government has permitted Boral to dispatch 300 trucks a day from its Peppertree Quarry near Marulan and 150 trucks a day from its Marulan South Limestone Mine through until August 15 – raising concerns about safety and the impact on road infrastructure.
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