Extension DAAUs

On Wednesday 10 April 2013, the QCA hosted a discussion on Aurizon Network’s access undertaking, focussing on the UT4 timetable and reference tariffs for the central Queensland coal network from 1 July 2013.  The discussion was attended by representatives from Aurizon Network, the coal industry and above-rail operators.

In its November 2013 response submission to initial submissions on its 2013 DAU, Aurizon Network indicated it will engage with the QCA regarding timing for submitting a voluntary DAAU to further extend the terminating date of the 2010 access undertaking.

On 30 August 2016, Aurizon Network submitted a new extension DAAU to extend the terminating date of its 2010 access undertaking from 30 September 2016 to the earlier of 30 November 2016, or the date on which a QCA approved replacement undertaking takes effect.

The application letter setting out the key elements of the extension DAAU, and Aurizon Network’s reasons for submitting a new extension DAAU, as well as clean and marked-up copies of the DAAU are available below.

An updated marked-up copy of the extension DAAU was provided by Aurizon Network on 6 September 2016.  The updated copy did not make any change to the substance of the DAAU, but removed the markups inadvertently left in from the previous extension DAAU (May 2016 extension DAAU).

Comments on Aurizon Network’s extension DAAU were due by 16 September 2016.  One submission was received and is published below.

The QCA approved the August 2016 extension DAAU on 26 September 2016.

After consideration of all stakeholder responses, on 23 June 2016, the QCA approved Aurizon Network’s May 2016 extension DAAU.

Stakeholders’ comments on this DAAU, Aurizon Network’s submission and our approval letter can be found below.

On 31 May 2016, Aurizon Network withdrew its April 2016 extension DAAU and submitted a new extension DAAU to extend the terminating date of its 2010 access undertaking from 30 June 2016 to the earlier of 30 September 2016, or the date on which a QCA approved replacement undertaking takes effect.

The covering letter and an explanatory memorandum setting out the key elements of the extension DAAU, and Aurizon Network’s reasons for submitting a new extension DAAU, as well as clean and marked-up copies of the DAAU are available below.

On 31 May 2016, Aurizon Network withdrew its April 2016 extension DAAU.  The QCA’s consideration of the DAAU thus concluded on that date.

On 14 April 2016, Aurizon Network submitted a draft amending access undertaking (DAAU) to extend the terminating date of its 2010 access undertaking from 30 June 2016 to the earlier of 30 September 2016, or the approval date of a new undertaking.

The covering letter and an explanatory memorandum setting out the key elements of the extension DAAU, and Aurizon Network’s reasons for seeking an extension, as well as clean and marked-up copies of the DAAU are available below.

The QCA approved Aurizon Network’s January 2016 Extension DAAU.

On 1 December 2015, the QCA issued a further stakeholder notice with a revised 2014 DAU timeline. In light of this revised timetable, Aurizon Network submitted an extension DAAU for approval on 8 January 2016.

This 2016 extension DAAU extends the terminating date for the 2010 access undertaking to the earlier of 30 June 2016 or the date on which the undertaking is withdrawn in accordance with the QCA Act.

Our decision letter and all submissions are available below.

We have approved Aurizon Network’s 2015 Extension DAAU.

The 2015 Extension DAAU extends the terminating date for the 2010 access undertaking to the earlier of 29 February 2016 or the date on which the undertaking is withdrawn in accordance with the QCA Act.  The DAAU also finalises reference tariffs for 2014–15 and establishes transitional reference tariffs for 2015–16.

Aurizon Network submitted the extension DAAU to us for approval on 23 March 2015, along with subsequent addenda on 15 April and 11 May 2015.

Our final decision along with all stakeholder submissions are available below.

We have approved Aurizon Network’s 2015 Extension DAAU.

The 2015 Extension DAAU extends the terminating date for the 2010 access undertaking to the earlier of 29 February 2016 or the date on which the undertaking is withdrawn in accordance with the QCA Act.  The DAAU also finalises reference tariffs for 2014–15 and establishes transitional reference tariffs for 2015–16.

Aurizon Network submitted the extension DAAU to us for approval on 23 March 2015, along with subsequent addenda on 15 April and 11

Our final decision along with all stakeholder submissions are available below.

On 23 May 2014, Aurizon Network resubmitted a proposed further extension DAAU (the May 2014 Extension DAAU) to us for approval, which excluded the 2013 flood review event claim.

The DAAU proposed to extend the terminating date for the 2010 access undertaking to the earlier of 30 June 2015 or the date on which the undertaking is withdrawn in accordance with the QCA Act.  The DAAU also proposed a set of transitional tariffs for 2014-15, and a ‘true-up’ mechanism for dealing with over and under recoveries from 2013-14.

On 12 June 2014, in accordance with section 142(2) of the QCA Act, we approved the May 2014 Extension DAAU.

Aurizon Network’s proposal and our decision letter are available below.

On 7 April 2014, Aurizon Network submitted a proposed further extension DAAU to us for approval.

The DAAU proposes to extend the terminating date for the 2010 access undertaking to the earlier of 30 June 2015 or the date on which the undertaking is withdrawn in accordance with the QCA Act.  The DAAU also proposes a set of transitional tariffs for 2014-15, and a ‘true-up’ mechanism for dealing with over and under recoveries from 2013-14.

For the purposes of section 142(3)(b) of the QCA Act, we consider it is appropriate to amend the DAAU to remove $21.3 million, related to the 2013 flood review event claim in the Blackwater and Moura systems, from the maximum allowable revenues proposed to be used to determine transitional reference tariffs for 2014-15.

Therefore, in accordance with section 142(2) of the QCA Act, we have decided not to approve Aurizon Network’s 2014 Extension DAAU.

Stakeholders’ comments and our final decision are available below.

On 31 May 2013, the QCA approved Aurizon Network’s May 2013 extension DAAU.  Accordingly, Aurizon Network’s 2010 access undertaking now terminates on 30 June 2014.

This follows Aurizon Network’s withdrawal of its April 2013 extension DAAU.

Under section 142 of the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997, the QCA must consider a DAAU given to it, and either approve, or refuse to approve, it.

On 14 May 2013, the QCA issued Aurizon Network with a notice of investigation and sought submissions from stakeholders.

The QCA received five submissions from stakeholders, all of which either supported the DAAU, or did not oppose it being approved, subject to the QCA agreeing with the reasonableness of some inputs into the transitional tariffs, especially system forecasts.

The QCA then received a report from its consultant, Energy Economics, which confirmed the reasonableness of Aurizon Network’s system forecasts.

On 31 May 2013, the QCA approved the May 2013 Extension DAAU. Accordingly, Aurizon Network’s 2010 access undertaking now terminates on 30 June 2014.

Copies of the QCA’s decision, stakeholders’ submissions, the Energy Economics report, Aurizon Network’s May 2013 Extension DAAU and related documents can be downloaded below.

Interim documents relevant to Aurizon Network’s May 2013 extension DAAU can be accessed below.

On 4 April 2013, Aurizon Network submitted a proposed extension DAAU to the QCA for approval.  This April 2013 extension DAAU proposed to extend the termination date for Aurizon Network’s approved 2010 access undertaking to 30 June 2014, and to establish transitional tariffs for 2013-14.  Following discussions with its stakeholders, on 26 April 2013, Aurizon Network withdrew its April 2013 extension DAAU.