In progress
On 13 June 2025, a request was made by QCoal Pty Ltd and Byerwen Coal Pty Ltd (QCoal Users), seeking declaration of the coal handling service at the North Queensland Export Terminal at Abbot Point.
We started our investigation into the declaration request on 14 July 2025. Under section 79 of the Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 Act (QCA Act), we are required to make a recommendation to the Minister[1] on whether to declare the relevant service or part thereof.
We have published initial submissions from interested stakeholders on the request for declaration of the service. Additional material from stakeholders is likely to be added shortly.
Further submissions responding to the initial submissions are due by 5 pm (AEST) on 23 September 2025.
The initial submissions, QCoal Users’ request and our notice of investigation are available below.
[1] Currently the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training.
Key events relating to the investigation are summarised below.
| 13 June 2025 | Request for declaration recommendation lodged |
| 1 July 2025 | Request for declaration recommendation published |
| 14 July 2025 | Investigation commenced |
| 26 August 2025 | Initial submissions due |
| 29 August 2025 | Initial submissions published |
| 23 September 2025 | Further submissions due |
Section 79A of the QCA Act provides that the QCA must use best endeavours to make a recommendation under section 79 within 6 months (although that period does not include things like consultation periods). The 6-month period is currently due to expire on 21 February 2025. This date will be updated from time to time. The periods that will influence this date, including time allowed for consultation, will only be confirmed later.
Documents
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Title | Document | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 August 2025 | Submission | Aurizon Network – Application for Declaration of NQXT | pdf, 317.33 Kb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Declaration (Redacted) | pdf, 2.30 Mb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Annexure A – Incenta – Criterion (a) (Redacted) | pdf, 1.20 Mb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Annexure B – CEG – Criterion (b) (Redacted) | pdf, 2.30 Mb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Annexure C – Statement of M Smith (Redacted) | pdf, 941.64 Kb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Annexure D – Statement of D Dederer (Redacted) | pdf, 376.04 Kb |
| 26 August 2025 | Submission | NQXT – Annexure E – Statement of B Lane – (Redacted) | pdf, 13.20 Mb |
| 22 August 2025 | Submission | DBIM – NQXT declaration (Redacted) | pdf, 459.56 Kb |
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Title | Document | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 June 2025 | Other documents | QCoal Users – Request to recommend declaration: NQXT (redacted) | pdf, 1.20 Mb |
| 13 June 2025 | Consultant report | Houston Kemp – Expert report: NQXT – access criterion a | pdf, 1.55 Mb |
| 13 June 2025 | Consultant report | Houston Kemp – Expert report: NXQT – access criteria b to d (redacted) | pdf, 1.82 Mb |
| 13 June 2025 | Other documents | QCoal – Declaration application: index of supporting documents (redacted) | pdf, 89.10 Kb |
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Title | Document | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 July 2025 | Notice | QCA – Notice of investigation: North Queensland Export Terminal declaration request | pdf, 102.55 Kb |