The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to Central Highlands Regional Council and Isaac Regional Council in Central Queensland to commence preparations for a joint procurement process for waste collection services. Interim authorisation does not extend to entering into, or giving effect to, any contracts.
Interim authorisation commences immediately and remains in place until the ACCC completes its assessment of the application for authorisation, unless it is revoked by the ACCC before that time.
Interim authorisation effectively provides a legal exemption; the councils may be considered to be each other’s competitors in procuring these services, and therefore engaging in joint procurement may breach competition laws, unless authorised.
Further information in relation to the application for authorisation, including any public submissions received by the ACCC and an indicative timetable for the ACCC’s assessment of the application, may be obtained on the ACCC’s Public Register.