THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation has halted operations through the Hunter Valley Network between Newcastle and Maitland and the Interstate Network between Telarah and Grafton due to flooding.
In a statement, ARTC said this was a precautionary measure during the extreme weather conditions that have been battering New South Wales since Friday.
“High rainfall, potential for more severe flooding beyond the current impacts to the network, strong winds, fallen trees and debris, power failures and fallen power lines and power poles are all concerns which led to operations being halted,” ARTC said.
“Weather events such as these have the potential of damage to our network and increases risks to all those involved in the transport operations. When it is safe to do so, we will begin the process of reopening the tracks by undertaking a full assessment of rail operations however this will not be until conditions are safe and water levels recede.”
DCN understands ARTC is optimistic about reopening the network Thursday evening, but this depends on the weather.
Reuters has reported that coal miner Whitehaven stopped shiploading at the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group terminal at the Port of Newcastle due to structural faults, and weather has slowed ship movements.
This article has been updated to clarify that Whitehaven stopped shiploading at the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group terminal.
