Parramatta. Call for rail usage

A coalition of rail unions, transport and motoring groups wants each state and territory to introduce a uniform amendment to their dangerous goods acts that would require hazardous materials, such as petrol and other chemicals, to be transported to and from the nearest available rail hub, following a spate of fatal accidents over Christmas and the new year. Late last year, the NRMA's chief executive, Tony Stuart, expressed his concern that Shell had decided to stop using rail to transport petrol from its Sydney refinery, at Clyde. to regional NSW, citing ''efficiency'' reasons. ''Whilst the decision Shell has taken has been based on financial considerations, clearly the wider economic and safety concerns have been ignored or at best overlooked,'' he said.