WA Lighting and Inspection Requirements for Rolling Stock Near Level Crossings

Rail Safety National Law Application Amendment (Rolling Stock Lighting) Bill 2026

Opposition Bill

17 Jun 2026: MPs in the first house are debating whether this bill is a good idea in principle.

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

level crossings rail safety railway operations train lighting transport safety

Introduced by: Shane Love MLA (NAT)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Rolling stock operators cannot move trains within 1,000 metres of a level crossing unless specific lights are turned on
Trains must have three external lights on each side visible from 200 metres; they must also have a forward-facing flashing amber light visible from 500 metres
Operators are exempt from these lighting rules in the metropolitan region and Mandurah; this does not apply to specific level crossings named in the regulations
Operators must inspect lights before moving rolling stock; they must keep written records of the inspection and the results
Operators must notify the Regulator in writing as soon as they find a lighting failure
Operators must add these inspection and reporting rules to their safety management system
The Governor can make regulations to set technical standards for the lights and inspection methods

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Shane Love NAT

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Rail Safety National Law Application Amendment (Rolling Stock Lighting) Bill 2026, which I will refer to as the rail safety bill, is a practical, targeted and potentially life-saving reform designed to reduce the risk of serious collisions and fatalities at rail level crossings across Western Australia.”

Official source →

News articles and press releases

WA parliament set to examine mandatory train lighting minimums

Lara Jensen, rail safety advocate — 2026-06-08

I’ve spent more than two decades living with the consequences of a system that has failed to prioritise visibility and safety. That’s why this moment matters.