System rules

On 5 August 2013, Aurizon Network submitted draft system rules to us for approval for the northern Bowen Basin (NBB), which includes the Goonyella, Newlands, and Goonyella to Abbot Point (GAP) systems.

The draft NBB system rules superseded the draft Goonyella rules, which were previously submitted to us on 30 June 2011.

On 17 September 2015, we formed the preliminary position that we would refuse to approve Aurizon Network’s draft Northern Bowen Basin system rules, for the reasons set out in our position paper.

We sought submissions on our position paper and provided an extended period for submissions, noting we anticipated this extended consultation period would allow Aurizon Network to resubmit NBB system rules that take into account our position paper and stakeholders’ submissions when UT4 commences.

In response, we received letters from two stakeholders indicating their intention to defer any further work on the Northern Bowen Basin system rules until after the approval of UT4. We also received three submissions on our position paper. All five documents are published below.

On 30 June 2011, Aurizon Network submitted draft system rules to us for approval for the Goonyella system.

On 28 October 2013, Aurizon Network withdrew its draft Goonyella system rules, as it said that the draft northern Bowen Basin system rules, which it had subsequently submitted to us for approval, superseded the Goonyella rules.

On 27 February 2014, the QCA made a final decision to refuse to approve Aurizon Network’s draft Capricornia system rules, setting out how Aurizon Network should amend the proposal.

Aurizon Network subsequently submitted an amended proposal.  While we note the resubmitted Capricornia system rules are not exactly in the form set out in our final decision, we are satisfied they otherwise address the reasons for the refusal to approve in a satisfactory manner.

We consider the resubmitted rules to be consistent with our final decision and we have approved the resubmitted Capricornia system rules.

The Capricornia system rules apply from 21 May 2014 and can be downloaded below.

On 24 April 2013, we made a draft decision to refuse to approve Aurizon Network’s draft Capricornia system rules, that included proposed amendments to the rules.
We received five submissions on the draft decision.  Aurizon Network’s submission included a revised set of system rules that Aurizon Network considered would address the issues raised by us. We provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on key elements of these revised rules.  Four submissions were received on the revised rules.

On 31 August 2011, Aurizon Network submitted draft system rules for us to approval for the Capricornia coal system, which includes the Blackwater and Moura systems in the southern Bowen Basin.  The proposed rules included:

• an approach for how, and in what form, long-term capacity-related information would be provided to access holders and other supply chain participants
• a train-planning process that Aurizon Network would use to schedule train orders
• mechanisms to provide train paths at other times when capacity is needed for maintenance and construction activities
• methods to manage requests to amend the train schedule before the day of operation
• approaches to managing emergency issues, and delays and cancellations of train services
• a dispute resolution framework for determining the causes of delays and cancellations of train services.