Development of advice on Water Market Rules

Development of advice

The Water Act 2007 provides that the minister may make water market rules.

In December 2007, the minister wrote to the ACCC requesting advice on the water market rules as required under ss.98(1) of the Water Act 2007 by December 2008.

The ACCC provided its advice and recommended water market rules in December 2008.

On 11 February 2009, the minister issued a public notice proposing to make water market rules. The rules were registered by the Minister for Climate Change and Water (the minister) on 22 June 2009 and came into effect on 23 June 2009.

This advice has considered, through the ACCC's extensive consultation, stakeholder submissions responding to an issues paper, a position paper, and draft advice. The ACCC also conducted public forums in regional centres on the draft advice for water market rules and water charge (termination fees) rules. In total the ACCC received 130 submissions.

This advice also took into account the Basin water charging objectives and principles contained in schedule 2 of the Act and water market and trading objectives and principles contained in schedule 3 of the Act.

Copies of the issues paper, the position paper, draft advice and final advice are available below.

Public Submissions

Public forums

The ACCC conducted six public forums in regional centres on the draft advice for water market rules. Copies of the ACCC public forum presentation and a summary from each forum are available below.