GAPE DAAUs

Aurizon Network commenced running trains on the Goonyella to Abbot Point (GAP) system in December 2011, following completion of the Goonyella to Abbot Point Expansion (GAPE) project.

The establishment of GAP as a new rail system required amendments to Aurizon Network’s 2010 access undertaking.

Aurizon Network proposed amendments via a series of draft amending access undertakings (DAAUs).

On 5 June 2013, Aurizon Network submitted a further GAPE DAAU (the June 2013 GAPE DAAU) to the QCA for approval.  The June 2013 GAPE DAAU maintained the tariff proposal contained in the earlier April 2013 GAPE DAAU, but proposed to revise aspects of that DAAU to address stakeholder concerns.  In particular, Aurizon Network removed previously sought amendments concerning any new connections to the Northern Missing Link.

On 25 July 2013, the QCA made a draft decision proposing to approve Aurizon Network’s June 2013 GAPE DAAU, including the GAPE reference tariff.

On 26 September 2013, the QCA made a final decision to approve the June 2013 GAPE DAAU.

The QCA’s decision documents, Aurizon Network’s proposal, and submissions received, can be downloaded below.

Aurizon Network’s April 2013 GAPE DAAU proposed a reference tariff based on a lower set of maintenance costs for the GAPE infrastructure (relative to the September 2012 GAPE DAAU) and included a transitional tariff to apply in 2013-14 to GAPE traffics – note, transitional tariffs for the other CQCR systems were considered via a separate process (see the Aurizon Network Extension DAAU process).

Other changes in the April 2013 GAPE DAAU included removing a claim for equity raising costs. Aurizon Network has set out the changes made between its September 2012 and April 2013 GAPE DAAUs in a document entitled ‘Summary of Revisions’.

On 10 September 2012, Aurizon Network submitted its first GAPE DAAU (the 2012 GAPE DAAU) to the QCA for approval.  In it, Aurizon Network proposed to amend its approved 2010 access undertaking to introduce a reference tariff for train services operating on the GAPE infrastructure, and to establish the GAP rail system.

On 12 April 2013, Aurizon Network withdrew its 2012 GAPE DAAU.  The QCA’s consideration of the 2012 GAPE DAAU thus concluded on that date.  Copies of Aurizon Network’s proposal, and submissions received, can be downloaded below, in the Archive section.