The ACCC’s regulatory work in rail includes assessing Part IIIA undertakings submitted by rail access providers in relation to rail track infrastructure, and carrying out functions under accepted undertakings. To date only one rail infrastructure provider, the Australian Rail Track Corporation, has submitted access undertakings under Part IIIA of the Act. Two access undertakings are currently in place, one for the National Interstate Rail Network and one for the Hunter Valley Rail Network in New South Wales.
Projects
| Title | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Extension of the 2008 Interstate Access Undertaking (to 30 June 2021) | Access variation |
Under assessment
1 June 2020 |
On 5 May 2020, ARTC submitted an application to vary its 2008 Interstate Access Undertaking. The variation sought to extend the term of the undertaking to 30 June 2021. |
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| Annual compliance assessment 2017 | Compliance assessment |
Submissions due
14 May 2020 |
The 2011 Hunter Valley Coal Network Access Undertaking (2011 HVAU) requires Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to submit documentation to the ACCC for the purposes of an annual compliance assessment. |
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| DORC valuation of the Interstate network | Update |
Ongoing
23 April 2020 |
On 23 April 2020, the ACCC engaged GHD Advisory to conduct the Depreciated Optimised Replacement Cost (DORC) valuation of Australian Rail Track Corporation's (ARTC) Regulated Asset Base (RAB) on the Interstate network. |
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| Annual compliance assessment 2016 | Compliance assessment |
Finalised
23 December 2019 |
The 2011 Hunter Valley Access Undertaking requires Australian Rail Track Corporation to submit documentation to the ACCC for the purposes of an annual compliance assessment. |
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| ARTC letter to ACCC - Intention to extend Interstate Access Undertaking | Update |
Ongoing
23 December 2019 |
Under section 2.2(b) of the 2008 Interstate Access Undertaking (IAU), ARTC must submit to the ACCC a written statement outlining whether or not it intends to submit a new undertaking to the ACCC for its consideration, no later than six months prior to the expiry of the 2008 IAU. ARTC’s 2008 IAU is currently due to expire on 30 June 2020. |
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| Proposed valuation for the Interstate network | Update |
Finalised
3 December 2019 |
On 23 August 2019, ARTC sent a letter to the ACCC seeking views on ARTC's proposal to revalue the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) on the Interstate network using the Depreciated Optimised Replacement Cost (DORC) methodology. ARTC stated it was seeking views on this proposal prior to formally submitting its replacement Interstate Access Undertaking application for ACCC assessment. |
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| 2022 Hunter Valley Access Undertaking | Access undertaking |
Ongoing
7 August 2019 |
The 2011 Hunter Valley Access Undertaking (HVAU) is due to expire on 31 December 2021. The ACCC expects that the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will soon commence its consultation process for a replacement Hunter Valley Access Undertaking. |
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| Extension of the 2008 Interstate Access Undertaking (to 30 June 2020) | Undertaking variation |
Accepted
26 September 2019 |
On 29 July 2019, ARTC submitted an application to vary its 2008 Interstate Access Undertaking to 30 June 2020. |
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