Adelaide, 19 May 2000 - Railway Technical Society of Australasia
The biggest rail industry conference to have ever been held in South Australia, and one of
the largest held in Australia in recent years will take place at the Stamford Grand,
Glenelg from Sunday May 21 to Tuesday May 23.
Over 340 delegates and exhibitors from around Australia and Overseas will attend the
CORE2000 Conference on Railway Engineering hosted by the SA Chapter of the Railway
Technical Society of Australasia.
RTSA, SA Chapter Chairman, Mr John Adams said today, "It is significant that South
Australia is hosting CORE2000 as the State has always played a strategic role at the
crossroads of our transcontinental rail routes. The theme of the conference "Railway
Technology for the 21st Century" reflects the increasing need for new and improved
technology to assist the rail industry in achieving its full potential in providing
innovative transport solutions for the 21st century."
The Conference will be officially opened at 8.50 a.m. on Monday 22 May, by the Hon John
Olsen MP, Premier of South Australia. Keynote speakers will include Mr Mike Franke, former
Vice President and Chief Engineer of the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad in the US
and Mr David Marchant, Managing Director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Overseas speaker from Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, the USA and New Zealand will
complement a diverse line up of Australian presenters in exploring the conference theme.
Technical papers will be presented on a wide range of issues, including performance
monitoring, rail safety, track analysis, infrastructure development, energy efficiency and
greenhouse gas reduction.
A trade exhibition will also be held at the Stamford Grand in conjunction with the
CORE2000 technical presentations and the gala dinner at the Adelaide Town Hall on Monday
evening will be attended by over 400 people.
RTSA National Chairman, Dr Philip Laird in Adelaide for the conference said, "The
rail industry continues to play a vital role in transporting large volumes of freight
around the country. In our major capital cities, conventional and light rail services play
a strategic role in moving high volumes of people within metropolitan areas, thereby
easing road congestion and reducing vehicle exhaust emissions.
The rail industry in Australia remains a significant employer with over 180 private and
public companies employing around 80,000 people in Australia. It generates significant
economic benefit to the country with an output of goods and services of $7 billion per
annum, or approximately 2% of national GDP.
Dr Laird concluded by saying, "The RTSA believes that railways in Australia will
continue deliver considerable transport cost savings to business and the community as well
as significant environmental and social benefits."
For further information contact: Mark Carter, CORE2000 Conference Manager on 0408 800 903
Keynote Speakers and other presenters will be available for interview from 10.30 a.m. on
Monday and during the remainder of the event. The RTSA is a professional society of the
Institution of Engineers, Australia, that promotes the science and practice of railway
engineering and related technology.
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