On 9 December 2016, ARTC submitted the 2017 Hunter Valley Access Undertaking (2017 HVAU) to the ACCC for assessment under Part IIIA of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. This access undertaking is for the provision of access to the Hunter Valley Rail Network operated by ARTC in New South Wales.
On 29 June 2011, the ACCC accepted the 2011 HVAU. The 2017 HVAU is intended to replace the 2011 HVAU, which has a current expiry date of 30 June 2017.
Previously, on 23 December 2015, ARTC submitted the 2016 HVAU to the ACCC for assessment to replace the 2011 HVAU. On 14 June 2016, ARTC withdrew the 2016 HVAU from the ACCC's consideration.
The ACCC published the 2017 HVAU on 12 December 2016 and released a consultation paper on 15 December 2016. Submissions were due by 3 February 2017.
On 20 April 2017, the ACCC released a draft decision on the 2017 HVAU. Submissions on the draft decision were due by 12 May 2017.
On 8 May 2017, ARTC withdrew its proposed access undertaking for the Hunter Valley Rail Network from the ACCC's consideration.