Gas

The ACT's gas supply market was opened to competition in January 2002, thereby giving customers the freedom to choose their gas suppliers. Before contestability was introduced, ActewAGL Retail supplied gas (and electricity) to all consumers within the ACT. There are currently 5 licensed gas suppliers in the ACT.

The ICRC has completed a comprehensive inquiry into the access arrangement for the ActewAGL natural gas distribution system in the ACT and Greater Queanbeyan to apply for the period from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2010.

On 12 November 2004, the Senior Commissioner granted final approval for ActewAGL's revised access arrangement.

• Report 15 of 2004: Final Approval - Access arrangement for ActewAGL Gas Distribution System in the ACT and Greater Queanbeyan - November 2004 (  )
• Access Arrangement for ActewAGL Gas Distribution System in ACT and Greater Queanbeyan - Part 1 (  )
• Access Arrangement for ActewAGL Gas Distribution System in ACT and Greater Queanbeyan - Part 2 (  )
• Access Arrangement Information for ActewAGL Gas Distribution System in Act and Greater Queanbeyan (  )
• Addendum to Access Arrangement for ActewAGL Gas Distribution System in ACT and Greater Queanbeyan (  )

Other reports relevant to the review of ActewAGL's revised access arrangement are included below:

• Report 14 of 2004: Final Decision - Review of access arrangement for ActewAGL natural gas system in ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla - October 2004 (   1958Kb )
• Draft Decision - Review of access arrangement for ActewAGL natural gas system in ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla (  )
• MMA Final Report 28 June 2004 (  )
• Issues Paper: Review of Access Arrangement for ActewAGL natural gas system in the ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla: February 2004 (  )
• ActewAGL Access Arrangement for ActewAGL Distribution in ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla: Proposed Revisions: December 2003 (  )
• Access Arrangement Information for ActewAGL Distribution System in ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla: December 2003 (  )
• ActewAGL Proposed Revised Access Arrangement for ActewAGL Distribution in ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla: December 2003 (  )
• Access Arrangement Attachments (  )
• Access Arrangements Attachment - Definitions (  )

Submissions on Draft Decision: Review of Access Arrangement for ActewAGL natural gas system in the ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla.

• ActewAGL response to Draft Decision - August 2004 (  )
• Energy Networks Association - 13 August 2004 (  )

Submissions on Issues Paper: Review of Access Arrangement for ActewAGL natural gas system in the ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla.

• ActewAGL's response to the ICRC Issues Paper: April 2004 (  )

The Gas Pipelines Access Act 1998 (ACT) gives effect in the Territory to the National Third Party Access Code for Natural Gas Pipeline Systems (the Gas Code). The Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is the local regulator in respect of gas distribution pipelines in the Australian Capital Territory. Under section 7.1 of the Gas Code, a service provider must not enter into an Associate Contract without the approval of the relevant regulator.

Under the code, the Commission must not refuse to approve a proposed Associate Contract unless it considers that the contract would have the effect, or would be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening, preventing or hindering competition in a market.

Current Applications and Final Assessment

• Decision: Assessment of Associate Contracts Report 11 of 2005 (   7.15Mb )
• Issues Paper: Proposed Associate Contracts ActewAGL Distribution and ActewAGL Retail - Report 7 of 2005 (  )

Past Applications and Submissions

• Decision: Assessment of Associate Contracts between ActewAGL Distribution and ActewAGL Retail: April 2004 (  )
• Issues Paper: Proposed Associate Contracts between ActewAGL Distribution and ActewAGL Retail: March 2004 (  )
• ActewAGL Submission on Issues Paper (  )
• Report No. 7 of 2004: Decision: Assessment of Associate contract between ActewAGL Distribution and AGL Wholesale Gas Limited: March 2004 (  )
• Report No. 2 of 2004: Issues Paper: Assessment of Associate Contract between ActewAGL Distribution and AGL wholesale Gas Limited: February 2004 (  )
• Appendix B: Canberra Mains System (  )

These guidelines apply to all electricity and gas suppliers licenced under the ACT Utilities Act 2000. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide more detailed implementation requirements to electricity and gas suppliers in order that they can meet their obligations under clause 13.3 (1)(q) of the Consumer Protection Code. This clause deals with the disclosure on customers' accounts of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the consumption of electricity and gas.

• Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Disclosure on Customer Accounts (  )

For further information, go to the Utilities Licensing page.

Utilities licensed to provide gas transmission, distribution and supply services under section 37 of the Utilities Act 2000, are listed on the Utilities Licensing page.

Utilities are required under their operating licences to comply with any applicable ring fencing guidelines. Failure to meet the guidelines therefore represents a contravention of licence conditions under section 47 of the Utilities Act 2000 Ring fencing guidelines were agreed to by the Commissioners on 15 November 2002 and took effect immediately.

• Ring Fencing Guidelines for Gas and Electricity Network Service Operators in the ACT (  )

Retail pricing for gas supply in the ACT is fully contestable. Regulation of gas retail prices ceased from 1 January 2002. Network prices are regulated in the access arrangement for the ACT, Queanbeyan and Yarrowlumla which is determined by the Commission and included in retail prices.

• ACT Gas Access Arrangement:17 January 2001 (  )

• Gas Network Capital Contribution Code (  ) 
• Gas Network Boundary Code (  )
• Consumer Protection Code (  )

• Gas General Metering Code (  )
• Gas Safety and Operating Plan Code (  )

The Gas Market Company (GMC) is the operator of the NSW & ACT Gas Retail Market. GMC is directed principally by members of the gas industry in NSW and the ACT, with representation by regulators and policy agencies. In very broad terms, the Business Rules set out how market participants interact with one another through the Gas Retail Market Business System.

The Gas Retail Market Business Rules to Support Retail Competition in Gas (Business Rules) are the primary framework for the operation of the NSW and ACT Gas Retail Market.

To obtain the latest version of the NSW and ACT Gas Retail Market Rules go to www.gasmarketco.com.au