IPART application for accreditation under the water charge (infrastructure) rules

On 23 September 2015, the ACCC made a Final Decision to accredit IPART under Part 9 of the Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules 2010 (WCIR). The Final Decision sets out the reasons for the ACCC’s decision, the date accreditation takes effect and the terms and conditions which apply to IPART’s accreditation. It also considers the submissions that the ACCC received in response to the Draft Decision.

The ACCC applied two conditions to IPART’s accreditation (in addition to the two mandatory conditions under the WCIR). These further conditions are the same as those applied to the Essential Services Commission (ESCV) accreditation in 2012. In applying the same conditions, the ACCC seeks to ensure consistency of approach across the Murray-Darling Basin by accredited agencies.

The decision makes IPART’s accreditation effective from 1 June 2016. This enables the ACCC to complete the annual review of charges for WaterNSW for 2016-17 under the 2014 Determination made by the ACCC.

From 1 June 2016, IPART will approve or determine regulated charges for WaterNSW, immediately commencing the process under the WCIR for the next regulatory period (2017-2021). Accreditation lasts for ten years unless extended or revoked sooner.

In accordance with Rule 63(6) of the WCIR, the ACCC has formally notified IPART and WaterNSW of its decision.