Terry Young (Longman, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak today about an important matter concerning the Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society—or ANGRMS, as they're commonly known—and the Woodford Railway. ANGRMS, which is a not-for-profit organisation, operates entirely through the dedication of volunteers who are passionate about preserving and running the iconic steam train on the Woodford rail line. These volunteers selflessly give their time and effort to keep a treasured piece of our local history alive. Recently, volunteers have been asked to self-fund sleep apnoea tests, which cost approximately $1,500 each. While we all understand and support the importance of safety, especially when it comes to operating any rail service, requiring every volunteer on a 15-minute closed track—one that is very low risk—to undergo this expensive test seems excessive. This is just another added cost and more red tape to cripple small not-for-profit organisations.

The Woodford rail society also operates with two drivers, further reducing any safety concerns. Terry and Ryan from the Woodford organisation, who visited me recently, also highlighted that 12 other rail lines in Queensland face similar challenges, which raises broader concerns for the future of volunteer-run heritage railways across the state. The steam train is a cultural icon in the area, and the hope is that these new requirements do not inadvertently threaten the continuation of this beloved heritage service. We support safety but urge a balanced approach that protects both the wellbeing of our volunteers and the preservation of our local history.

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