The ACCC proposes to grant authorisation for 5 years to the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and its current and future members to engage in conduct for the purpose of improving the security of the supply chain of gaseous chlorine in Australia.
Gaseous chlorine is the primary chemical used by Australian water authorities to ensure safe drinking water for Australians.
The ACCC proposes to authorise WSAA and its members to collectively negotiate with potential suppliers of packaged gaseous chlorine along with information sharing to support these negotiations. The collective negotiations may lead to the construction of a new packaging facility in Australia and/or arrangements for the importation of packaged gaseous chlorine.
The ACCC has also granted interim authorisation to enable the WSAA and participants to begin negotiations and information sharing for the purpose of improving security of supply of gaseous chlorine in Australia, but to not give effect to any contracts, while the ACCC is considering the substantive application.
The ACCC seeks submissions in response to the draft determination by 3 May 2024, before making its final determination. Further details about the application and how to make a submission are available on the ACCC’s public register.