2010 Draft Access Undertaking

On 15 April 2010, QR Network withdrew its 2009 draft access undertaking (DAU) and submitted a new voluntary draft access undertaking (the 2010 DAU) for approval. The 2010 DAU sets out the terms and conditions under which QR Network proposes to provide access to rail infrastructure covered by the undertaking once its current access undertaking expires on 30 June 2010.

Under section 136 of the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 (the QCA Act), the Authority must consider and decide whether or not to approve QR Network's 2010 DAU.

The Authority received submissions from 11 stakeholders in response to the 2010 DAU.

On 2 June 2010, the Authority published its draft decision on the coal tariff aspects of the 2010 DAU.

On 11 June 2010, QR Network responded by submitting a draft amending access undertaking (DAAU) to the 2008 undertaking. This June 2010 extension DAAU included tariffs and price-setting rules largely consistent with the June 2010 draft decision.  It also extended the termination date, and introduced transitional arrangements relating to the division of ownership and responsibility for the network between QR Network Pty Ltd and Queensland Rail Ltd (formerly known as QR Passenger Pty Ltd).

On 28 June 2010, the Authority approved the June 2010 extension DAAU, so tariffs consistent with the Authority's June 2010 draft decision on the 2010 DAU apply in central Queensland and on the western system, back-dated to 1 July 2009.

The remainder of the matters included in the 2010 DAU will be dealt with in a subsequent decision which the Authority expects to release in July.