On 30 August 2004 the ACCC wrote to Directlink requesting it submit a revised application.

On 22 September 2004 Directlink submitted a complete revised application.  On 3 November 2004 Directlink submitted an alternative asset valuation method and on 17 November it submitted a revised service incentive scheme.

On the 26 November 2004 the ACCC received its consultant's (PB Associates) report in relation to the Directlink Joint Venturers' application for conversion to a regulated interconnector. PB Associates' report established a suite of technically feasible alternatives through identifying the necessary network services delivered by Directlink as well as the range and costs of feasible alternatives.

On 1 December 2004 the ACCC wrote to the NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) seeking advice on whether there are any legal obligations for undergrounding of transmission lines in the northern NSW region; and the assessment process that DIPNR would undertake for the location of electricity transmission lines.

The ACCC wrote to TransGrid, the Directlink Joint Venture (DJV) and Country Energy seeking advice on future developments in the New South Wales north coast.

On 26 April 2005 the ACCC received its consultant's Intelligent Energy Systems (IES) report for the Directlink Joint Venturers' application for conversion to a regulated interconnector. IES was engaged to review the modelling and assessment of interregional market benefits for the purposes of a regulatory test assessment.

Submissions received relating to PB Associates' report (26 November 2004) and the IES report (26 April 2005).

On 17 October 2005 the AER received its consultant's (IES) report which reviewed the additional modelling of Directlink's interregional market benefits for the purposes of a regulatory test assessment.