Small fleet operator Jo Veneman, who is a director of North Queensland company Renewable Homes, was shocked to receive a $1000 bill to cross the Burdekin Bridge recently.
The busy freight bridge on the Bruce Highway is located between Ayr and Home Hill and road users and trains have to share it due to the way the bridge was engineered.
“It doesn’t accommodate anything bigger than a garbage truck to easily cross over. It is the only bridge on the Bruce Highway that must close down entirely to allow anything bigger than a garbage truck to pass over it,” said Jo.
As she explained, “It is managed by Queensland Rail and Transport and Main Roads. Bridge closures occur 10-15 times every day so that road operators (anything bigger than a garbage truck) can pass over the bridge and are generally charged $66 each time – equating to approximately $361,350 per year.”
Jo revealed that when one of her trucks needed to cross the bridge with a 6-metre wide, 5.2-metre high load, Queensland Rail ordered a track protection officer but couldn’t find staff – and so it was contracted out to another service who charged her over $1000 to cross the bridge.
“I understand that Queensland Rail are having difficulties managing their assets but to only have one approved contractor to have the monopoly is not on because they charge what they charge just because they can. It’s daylight robbery. And it’s not okay,” Jo said.
Big Rigs has approached Queensland Rail for comment.
Update – 6.30pm [AEDT], December 17
Queensland Rail Head of Regional, Scott Cornish, said safety is the number one priority at Queensland Rail.
To cross the Burdekin Bridge a track protection officer is required to ensure the safety of the people transporting their load on the road, the rail traffic crew operating the trains and the road and rail infrastructure, he added.
Cornish said that when given advanced notice to cross the Burdekin Bridge, Queensland Rail works to supply internal officers for the job.
“Sometimes, internal resources may be constrained due to other projects and priorities across the network,” Cornish said.
“In these cases, Queensland Rail recommends a third-party contractor who offers qualified track protection officers.
“An hourly rate is applied, which varies due to factors including the train planning and pathing required for the load to pass and the height and size of the load.”
This article doesn’t outline the actual reality of the situation.
A quote was provided to Renewable homes more than 14 days out from the house move – they had the option to decline the quote and seek alternative arrangements. They opted to approve the quote but then complain about the cost after the fact.
The initial date they opted for was cancelled and then re-arranged last minute – not providing any one either QR or external contractor significant notice to make arrangements.
There is not only one provider, there are numerous providers – approximately 6.. however there is only one company that operates out of Townsville – this is also a small business and definitely does not operate under a “monopoly” as quoted.
The charges are not outrageous as staff are required to travel to and from Townsville and provide the service that they do.
If Jo didn’t like the costs associated or the requirements there are many other options available.
They are quite silly comments from this operator to say nothing bigger than a garbage truck can cross without the bridge being closed, singles, b doubles, pbs A doubles and quad quad b doubles cross it unhindered, wide loads up to 3 metres can cross without the bridge being closed, doing a shift of that size you would expect that unexpected expenses can occur and have contingencies incorporated in the costing of the shift.
My qstn would be.
As the Railway built the bridge as it is now, why are they charging oversized loads to cross it.
They caused the problem not the Trucking companies.