We have released a discussion paper to commence consultation on the form of regulation review of the South West Queensland Pipeline (SWQP). The discussion paper outlines how we will approach the review, sets out key issues for the review and invites submissions from stakeholders on these issues.
APA Group owns the SWQP. We have selected it for our first form of regulation review due to its importance to the east coast gas market.
This review will consider whether to make a scheme pipeline determination which would change the level of regulation applying to the SWQP. If we decide to make such a determination, the SWQP will become a scheme pipeline, subject to full price regulation. If we decide not to make the determination, the SWQP will remain a non-scheme pipeline.
The AER has not yet formed any views on whether the form of regulation of the SWQP should change.
Interested stakeholders are invited to make submissions by 27 March 2024. Written submissions and any questions about the review should be emailed to PipelineFOR
aer [dot] gov [dot] au (PipelineFOR[at]aer[dot]gov[dot]au).
Background
The AER gained the responsibility for determining the form of regulation of pipelines in March 2023, when reforms to the gas pipeline regulatory regime commenced.
The AER will conduct a series of form of regulation reviews over several years. We have not yet formed views about whether the regulation of any pipelines should change but considered that there is a need to look into the form of regulation of pipelines more closely.
Further details regarding the review process can be found in the AER’s pipeline regulatory determinations and elections guide.