2024 Review of the water third party access regime - draft report

26 Feb 2024

The Commission has conducted a review of the third party access regime that applies to declared water and sewerage infrastructure, which is subject to Part 9A of the Water Industry Act 2012. It has released a draft report setting out its draft recommendation that the access regime should remain in effect and be extended by regulation for a further five-year period.

Indicators appear to suggest that the access regime has supported the statutory objectives of the WI Act. This includes promoting economically efficient use and operation of and investment in declared infrastructure so as to promote competition in upstream markets, and promoting efficiency, competition and innovation in the water industry.

While there is uncertainty about the exact magnitude of the benefits of the regime, the Commission’s draft assessment is that the expected benefits exceed the costs. Stakeholders have either supported the continuation of the access regime or noted the imbalance in bargaining power between those seeking access and SA Water.

The Commission invites written submissions on this draft report by 22 March 2024.

The Commission intends to release a final report in June 2024.

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2023 Review of the water third party access regime