News
6 July, 2026
Breaking: Regulator acts after Berrima derailment
The immediate operations of the Boral cement works at New Berrima are up in the air tonight (Monday) after the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) suspended rail services to the facility.
The immediate operations of the Boral cement works at New Berrima are up in the air tonight (Monday) after the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) suspended rail services to the facility.
The suspension follows a train derailment at a level crossing near the factory on Saturday (July 4).
The ONRSR announced yesterday that it was suspending the accreditation of Holdco Holdings – trading as Southern Short haul Railroad – following a ‘series’ of incidents including Saturday’s derailment.
Boral has been contacted for comment and The Southern Wire understands that other facilities may also be directly impacted.
The Southern Wire also understands that Boral may be in a position to contract other service providers.
ONRSR said the decision had been made “based on a determination that there is, or would be, an immediate or serious risk to safety unless Holdco’s accreditation was suspended”.
“The suspension follows a serious incident at Berrima in New South Wales on 4 July 2026 in which several wagons rolled away and derailed at a level crossing on a public road,” an ONRSR spokesperson said.
Fortunately, the spokesperson said, there were no injuries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing and no timeframe has been given for the completion of those investigations.
“The derailment at Berrima is the latest in a series of safety incidents involving this operator which are subject to regulatory oversight from ONRSR,” the spokesperson said.
“ONRSR accredits rail transport operators under the Rail Safety National Law on the basis that they demonstrate competence and capacity to manage risks associated with their operations.
“ONRSR’s priority is to ensure that risks to safety of those in the industry and members of the public are effectively managed.
“Understanding the potential impact, the decision to suspend Holdco’s accreditation has not been taken lightly.”
The spokesperson said ONRSR would continue to work with Holdco in relation to accreditation status.
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