Development of advice on water charge rules—infrastructure charges


The Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010 commenced on 12 January 2011 after being made by the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

The rules create new regulation of charges for water storage, delivery and other infrastructure services provided by rural water infrastructure operators in the Murray Darling Basin.

The rules are based on two sets of advice provided by the ACCC to the then Minister for Climate Change and Water in June 2009 and February 2010. Copies of the advices provided to the minister can be accessed below.


Final advice on water charge (infrastructure) rules.pdf (721.3 KB)

Final Advice on Accreditation under the Water Charge Infrastructure Rules.pdf (284.8 KB)

Consultation Papers

The development of the advices above was subject to a thorough public consultation process. Copies of all consultation papers are available below.


Public Submissions to the Draft Water Charge (Infrastructure) Accreditation Rules

For more information






Public Forum

On 30 April 2009, the ACCC conducted a public forum to discuss its draft advice on water infrastructure charge rules.

Copies of the presentations made and the summary of discussions are provided below.


ACCC draft advice presentation.pdf (152.4 KB)

NSW State Water presentation.pdf (194.1 KB)

Murray Irrigation presentation.pdf (2.5 MB)

Summary of public forum discussion.pdf (43.7 KB)

Public Submissions

The ACCC received submissions on the following water charge (irrigation infrastructure operators and bulk water provider) rules papers:


Issues paper submissions

Submissions to the bulk water issues paper

Submissions to water charge rules position paper

Submissions to water charge infrastructure rules draft advice