Blackwater Electric Traction Pricing DAAUs

On 13 January 2014, Aurizon Network withdrew its 2013 DAAU.  The QCA’s consideration of the DAAU thus concluded on that date.

On 22 November 2013, the QCA made a draft decision not to approve the 2013 DAAU.

On 23 January 2013, the QCA held a workshop to discuss the issues raised in Aurizon Network’s 2011 electric traction pricing DAAU.

On 24 April 2013, Aurizon Network submitted a new (Blackwater) electric traction pricing draft amending access undertaking (the 2013 DAAU) to the QCA for approval.  In it, Aurizon Network proposed adding a new Schedule K to its approved 2010 access undertaking to:

• replace the current average cost AT5 tariff with a fixed AT5 over eight years
• defer revenue by recovering its aggregate approved Blackwater electrification investment costs over the next two regulatory periods (i.e. 2013-14 to 2020-21)
• introduce an infrastructure under-utilisation payment to recover any difference between the total approved costs of electrific infrastructure and the revenue raised from the fixed path AT5 access charge.

On 16 December 2011, Aurizon Network submitted its electric traction pricing draft amending access undertaking (the 2011 DAAU) to the QCA for approval.  In it, Aurizon Network proposed to amend the pricing arrangements for electric traction services in its approved 2010 access undertaking, in particular to:

• introduce a single network AT5 charge, combining the total costs and total forecast demand of the Blackwater and Goonyella electric networks
• introduce a requirement that operators pay AT5 for at least 90% of train services that could feasibly be operated with electric trains, including services actually operated with diesel trains
• limit the AT5 tariff adjustments in a single year to no more than 5% per annum to recoup any substantial under-recoveries of the AT5 revenue cap.

On 27 July 2012, the QCA made a draft decision not to approve the 2011 DAAU.

On 22 January 2013, Aurizon Network withdrew the 2011 DAAU.  The QCA’s consideration of the DAAU thus concluded on that date.  Copies of the QCA’s draft decision, Aurizon Network’s proposal, and submissions received, can be downloaded below.