One-stop transport shop at AgQuip Field Days
Transport for NSW will once again be participating in the annual AgQuip field days in Gunnedah from 22-24 August, providing a one-stop shop with a focus on safety and tools to stay safe on and around the roads, water and rail networks.
The Transport exhibition will feature information about road safety, including level crossings, trip planning, maritime, freight and rail with the help of key partners including NSW Police, Service NSW, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and UGL Regional Linx.
Transport for NSW North Region Director, Anna Zycki, said AgQuip, which attracts about 100,000 attendees over three days, is a great opportunity to communicate important safety messages to regional communities.
“Country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 70 per cent of our road toll,” Ms Zycki said.
“People who live and work in regional NSW can face a variety of transport safety issues, including how to interact safely with heavy vehicles on the road, trains, as well as maritime issues such as how to use waterways safely.” The Transport for NSW exhibit will also feature safety demonstrations, including the correct way to service inflatable life jackets.
“Water levels in most NSW inland dams are still high, with many boaters taking the opportunity to enjoy a day out on the water even during the colder months,” Ms Zycki said.
“Please come along to the Maritime exhibit for more tips on how to boat safely and responsibly.” NSW train and coach operator, TrainLink, will also be in attendance.
One of the key features of the exhibition will be a car that was involved in a level crossing crash, to show the impact of a collision with a train.
“This particular aspect of the exhibition is a timely reminder for everyone in regional NSW to have safety at the forefront of their minds ahead of harvest season when we expect to see more harvesters, oversize and/or overmass machinery and trains on the network,” Ms Zycki said.
“Trains can come from any direction, at any time, and there can be multiple trains on tracks that can travel at speed of up to 160km/h.
“Some trains can take more than a kilometre to come to a complete stop, so even if drivers can see you, they can’t stop, which is why it’s so important to always obey signs and signals at level crossings.”
For the first time the Transport exhibition will feature information about the Live Traffic NSW website and app, which provides real-time information about incidents and changes in traffic conditions that affect road users’ journeys.
“This vital service from Transport for NSW has expanded in the past year and now allows many councils to include local road information, and by 2024 all councils in NSW will have the opportunity to contribute to Live Traffic NSW,” Ms Zycki said.
“Transport staff will be available to answer questions about Live Traffic NSW and provide tips on how to get the most out of the platform for planning trips.” The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator will also be onsite at AgQuip, conducting a variety of presentations, covering topics including heavy vehicle compliance and agricultural notices affecting transporters and primary producers.
NHVR Central Region Director Operations, Brett Patterson, said the regulator would have some of its NSW staff available to answer questions during the field days, including safety and compliance as well as stakeholder engagement officers.
Service NSW and NSW Police will be on site to provide information on registrations, licensing and general enquiries.
AgQuip is run by ACM Rural Events at 134 Black Jack Road in Gunnedah from August 22-24.
For more information, visit https://acmruralevents.com.au/agquip/home.