Water
Memorandum of understanding
On 21 March 2016, the ACCC and IPART signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) relating to their respective roles under the Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010 and other relevant legislation. The MOU sets out arrangements to promote effective communication, cooperation and coordination between IPART and the ACCC regarding these roles.
ACCC’s draft advice on water charge rules to increase transparency, promote efficiency and reduce regulatory burden
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today released its draft advice on amendments to the Commonwealth water charge rules. This advice sets out the ACCC’s draft positions and seeks further submissions on proposed changes to the rules.
Draft advice
Accreditation - IPART
On 23 September 2015, the ACCC made a Final Decision to accredit IPART under Part 9 of the Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010 (WCIR).
ACCC decides to accredit IPART as regulator of rural water charges for WaterNSW
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued its Final Decision to accredit the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) as the regulator of WaterNSW’s infrastructure charges in the Murray-Darling Basin. The decision will take effect from 1 June 2016 for a period of 10 years.
Until the ACCC took over the role under the Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010, IPART had previously set these charges.
Final decision
On 23 September 2015, the ACCC made a Final Decision to accredit IPART under Part 9 of the Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010 (WCIR). The Final Decision sets out the reasons for the ACCC’s decision, the date accreditation takes effect and the terms and conditions which apply to IPART’s accreditation.
Reviewing the regulation of rural water charges speech
At a breakfast hosted by the Agribusiness Association of Australia in Melbourne, Commissioner Cristina Cifuentes provides an update on the ACCC's review of water charge rules. Ms Cifuentes outlines the reasons behind the review, stakeholder feedback and the next steps.
ACCC seeks submissions on draft decision to accredit IPART as regulator of rural water charges in NSW Murray-Darling Basin
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a draft decision to accredit the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW (IPART) as the regulator of water infrastructure charges in the NSW Murray-Darling Basin from 1 June 2016 for 10 years. IPART had previously set the charges applying in the Murray-Darling Basin until 30 June 2014.
Draft decision
On 29 July 2015, the ACCC made its draft decision to approve the IPART application subject to conditions.
The ACCC intends to make its final decision by 25 September 2015.