An Act to facilitate and regulate the water industry excluding certain public water utilities; to make provision for the continuity of essential services provided by the industry; to establish an access regime for significant water industry infrastructure; and for other purposes.
long title: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[1].
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Water Industry Competition Act 2006.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
2A Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are—(a) to protect public health and safety and the environment in connection with the water industry, including in the longer term, and(b) to protect the interests of consumers, particularly small retail customers, in the quality, reliability and price of water and sewerage services, including in the longer term, and(c) to facilitate the efficient, reliable and sustainable provision of water and sewerage services, having regard to financial, environmental and social considerations, and(d) to promote the sustainable use of resources in connection with the water industry, and(e) to facilitate competition in the water industry with a view to encouraging innovation and improved efficiency in the industry.s 2A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[2].
3 Definitions
(1) Words and expressions that are defined in the Dictionary at the end of this Act have the meanings set out in that Dictionary.(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.
3A Meaning of “classes” of water industry infrastructure
The classes of water industry infrastructure are as follows—(a) infrastructure for the purpose of the production or supply of drinking water,(b) infrastructure for the purpose of the capture and treatment of stormwater for the production, supply and use of recycled water,(c) infrastructure for the purpose of the collection and treatment of sewage for the production, supply and use of recycled water,(d) infrastructure for the purpose of the collection and further treatment of recycled water for the supply and use of the further treated recycled water,(e) infrastructure for the purpose of the collection and treatment of sewage for disposal and the disposal of the treated sewage,(f) infrastructure for another purpose prescribed by the regulations.s 3A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[3].
4 Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, in so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
Part 2 Approvals and licences for certain water industry infrastructure
pt 2: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 2, div 1: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
5 Water industry infrastructure to which Part applies
(1) This Part applies to the following—(a) water industry infrastructure used or to be used for providing water or sewerage services to 30 or more small retail customer premises (a category A scheme),(b) water industry infrastructure used or to be used for the production of drinking water, including a filtration, treatment or desalination facility, that has a design capacity of more than 500 kilolitres each day, together with a reticulation network connected to the infrastructure and used to convey anything to or from the infrastructure,(c) water industry infrastructure used or to be used for the treatment of sewage, stormwater or recycled water that has a design capacity of more than 750 kilolitres each day, together with a reticulation network connected to the infrastructure and used to convey anything to or from the infrastructure,(d) water industry infrastructure declared by the regulations to be water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies.(2) However, this Part does not apply to the following—(a) water industry infrastructure within the area of operations of a public water utility and operated by or on behalf of the public water utility, other than as a last resort provider,(b) water industry infrastructure excluded from the application of this Part by the regulations.(3) For the purposes of determining whether this Part applies to water industry infrastructure by operation of subsection (1)—(a) initial and planned future stages of development of the infrastructure are to be taken into account, and(b) the design capacity of the infrastructure is to be determined in accordance with guidelines issued by IPART and published in the Gazette and on IPART’s website.s 5: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [1]; 2012 No 97, Sch 1.45 [1]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
5A Additional objects of Part
In considering whether or not an approval or licence is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on an approval or licence, regard is to be had to the objects of this Act and the following additional objects—(a) to promote the adoption of written policies concerning the use of water resources as prescribed by the regulations, if any,(b) to mitigate the potential for adverse financial implications for small retail customers generally arising from the activities proposed to be covered by the approval or licence,(c) to promote the equitable sharing among participants in the drinking water market of the costs of water industry infrastructure that significantly contributes to water security.s 5A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 2 Requirements for approvals and licences
pt 2, div 2: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
6 Requirements for construction of water industry infrastructure
(1) A person must not construct water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies unless the construction—(a) is authorised by a scheme approval, and(b) is carried out by or on behalf of the registered operator for the scheme.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.(2) The regulations may prescribe exceptions to this section.s 6: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [2]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
6A Requirements for operation of water industry infrastructure
(1) A person must not operate water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies unless—(a) the infrastructure is substantially constructed as authorised by a scheme approval, and(b) the operation is authorised by an operational approval, and(c) the person is the registered operator for the infrastructure.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.(2) This section does not apply to the operation of water industry infrastructure in the course of commissioning the infrastructure.(3) The regulations may prescribe further exceptions to this section.s 6A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
6B Requirements for sale of water and sewerage services from regulated schemes
(1) A person must not sell water or sewerage services provided by means of a regulated scheme, including the service of connecting premises to the water or sewerage services, unless—(a) the person is the registered retailer for the infrastructure, and(b) the sale is authorised by the person’s retailer licence.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.(2) In this section, sell water or sewerage services includes charging a fee or amount to connect premises to a water or sewerage service, including charging an infrastructure charge, developer charge or administration charge related to connecting premises to a service.(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a council.(4) This section does not apply to the sale of the service of connecting premises to the water or sewerage services by a registered operator for a scheme if—(a) the scheme is under construction, and(b) no person has been registered as the registered retailer for the scheme.(5) The regulations may prescribe further exceptions to this section.s 6B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 3 Approvals
Note—
A scheme approval authorises the construction of water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies as specified in the approval.
Scheme approvals are granted by IPART.
An operational approval authorises the operation of water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies as specified in the approval.
Operational approvals are granted by IPART.
pt 2, div 3: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7 Application for approval
(1) An application for a scheme approval or operational approval is to be made to IPART.Note—Section 12 imposes requirements for an application and allows an application to be rejected if the requirements are not complied with.(2) An application for a scheme approval for water industry infrastructure—(a) may be made by any person, and(b) must only be made with the consent of the owner of the land on which the infrastructure, other than pipelines within the reticulation network connected to the infrastructure, is or is to be located.(3) An application for an operational approval for water industry infrastructure—(a) may be made by any person, and(b) must specify the scheme and scheme approval to which it relates.s 7: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [3]–[5]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7A Process for dealing with an application for approval
(1) For all applications for an approval, IPART must invite submissions—(a) from the Department of the Public Service responsible to the Minister administering this Part, and(b) from the Department of the Public Service responsible to the Minister administering the Public Health Act 2010, and(c) as otherwise required by the regulations.(2) In addition, if the application is for a scheme approval, IPART must also invite submissions from—(a) the public, by notice published on IPART’s website and otherwise as considered appropriate by IPART, and(b) the council for the local government area within which the proposed area of operations of the scheme is located or to whose infrastructure the scheme is to be connected, and(c) the Department of the Public Service responsible to the Minister administering the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and(d) if a licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 may also be required—the appropriate regulatory authority under that Act, and(e) if the infrastructure is or is proposed to be within the area of operations of a public water utility—the public water utility, and(f) if an authorisation, however described, under the Water Management Act 2000 may also be required—the Department of the Public Service responsible to the Minister administering that Act, Chapter 3.(3) An invitation to make submissions on an application must—(a) allow at least 28 days for submissions to be made, and(b) be accompanied by a copy of the application, other than material that IPART considers to be confidential, or set out how a copy of the application may be obtained.(4) IPART must not accept a variation of an application after an invitation to make submissions has been given unless satisfied that—(a) the application as varied will be substantially the same as the original application, and(b) no prejudice will be caused to a person who made a submission concerning the original application.(5) If a variation is not accepted, the applicant may withdraw the application and make a new application.s 7A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7B Determining an application for approval
(1) IPART is to determine an application for an approval by granting the approval, either as applied for or with modifications IPART considers appropriate, or by refusing to grant the approval.(2) If IPART proposes to refuse to grant an approval or to grant an approval with modifications, IPART must—(a) give written notice of the proposed refusal or modifications to the applicant specifying the reasons for it, and(b) allow the applicant at least 14 days within which to make submissions to IPART about the proposed refusal or modifications.(3) On determining an application for an approval, IPART must ensure notice of the determination is given to the applicant and published on IPART’s website.s 7B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7C Grant of scheme approval
(1) A scheme approval must not be granted unless IPART is satisfied as to each of the following—(a) the infrastructure will, if constructed as authorised by the approval, be fit for purpose and capable of operating—(i) safely and reliably, and(ii) in a way consistent with the national safety guidelines for the control of public health risks, and(iii) in a way that does not present a significant risk of harm to the environment,(b) the applicant has established it is highly likely the proposed scheme will become financially viable to operate within a reasonable period of time and will then remain financially viable for the life of the scheme,(c) the applicant has established, for a regulated scheme, that it is not reasonably foreseeable that the operation of the scheme will have significant adverse financial implications for small retail customers,(d) the proposed registered operator of the scheme—(i) if the applicant is the proposed registered operator, holds an appropriate operator licence, and(ii) if the applicant is not the proposed registered operator, has entered into an agreement with the applicant for the operation of the scheme,(e) the applicant has established that the proposed area of operations of the scheme is appropriate,Note—IPART may consider a proposed area of operations is not appropriate if—(a) the scheme is unlikely to be capable of supplying water supply or sewerage services to all premises within the proposed area of operations within a reasonable period, or(b) the proposed area of operations excludes premises within the outermost boundary of, or near, the area of operations, including, for example, by excluded enclaves or unusual boundaries, unless the exclusion is reasonable, having regard to the characteristics of the proposed scheme, the characteristics of the premises or the services already available to the premises.(f) for a scheme proposed to be constructed in stages—the applicant has established that the group of premises proposed to be serviced by each stage is reasonable having regard to the orderly and economic use and development of land in the area,(g) matters prescribed by the regulations.(2) In determining an application for a scheme approval, IPART must have regard to the following—(a) whether disciplinary action against the proposed registered operator is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the proposed registered operator, the proposed registered operator is prohibited from being registered as the registered operator under a further scheme approval,(b) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the determination is made, and the proposed registered operator, or a related corporation of the proposed registered operator, is the alleged defaulter,(c) the proposed registered operator, or a related corporation of the proposed registered operator, has failed to provide a service, or a connection to infrastructure, after granting a certificate of compliance relating to the service or infrastructure.Note—Section 5A also requires the decision-maker to have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not an approval or licence is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on an approval or licence.(3) On the grant of the scheme approval, IPART must—(a) register the proposed registered operator referred to in subsection (1)(d) as the registered operator for the scheme, and(b) consider whether to make a determination under section 54 that the scheme is essential infrastructure.(4) For the purposes of this section, disciplinary action is pending from the time when notice is given to the licensee requiring the licensee to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against the licensee until—(a) disciplinary action is taken against the licensee, or(b) the decision is made that disciplinary action will not be taken against the licensee.s 7C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7D Grant of operational approval
(1) An operational approval must not be granted unless IPART is satisfied as to each of the following—(a) the infrastructure has been substantially constructed as authorised by a scheme approval for the infrastructure,(b) the infrastructure is fit for purpose and is capable of operating—(i) safely and reliably, and(ii) in a way consistent with the national safety guidelines for the control of public health risks, and(iii) in a way that does not present a significant risk of harm to the environment,(c) there are adequate plans and systems in place to ensure the infrastructure continues to be fit for purpose and operated—(i) safely and reliably, and(ii) in a way consistent with the national safety guidelines for the control of public health risks, and(iii) in a way that does not present a significant risk of harm to the environment,(d) the infrastructure is capable of operating in compliance with this Act and the regulations, the plans and systems referred to in paragraph (c) and the conditions of the registered operator’s operator licence,(e) if the infrastructure is or is likely to be essential infrastructure—a last resort provider has been designated for each essential service provider,(f) the applicant is the registered operator or has entered into an agreement with the registered operator for the operation of the infrastructure,(g) in relation to a regulated scheme, the applicant—(i) holds a retailer licence or is a council, or(ii) has entered into an agreement with a public water utility or an appropriately authorised licensed retailer for the sale of the water or sewerage services provided by the infrastructure,(h) matters prescribed by the regulations.(2) In determining an application for an operational approval, IPART must have regard to the following—(a) whether disciplinary action against the proposed registered retailer is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the proposed registered retailer, the proposed registered retailer is prohibited from being registered as the registered retailer under a further operational approval,(b) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the determination was made, and the proposed registered retailer, or a related corporation of the proposed registered retailer, is the alleged defaulter.Note—Section 5A also requires the decision-maker to have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not an approval or licence is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on an approval or licence.(3) On the grant of the operational approval, IPART must—(a) unless already registered, register the person referred to in subsection (1)(f) as the registered operator for the scheme, and(b) register the person referred to in subsection (1)(g) as the registered retailer for the scheme.(4) For the purposes of this section, disciplinary action is pending from the time when notice is given to the licensee requiring the licensee to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against the licensee until—(a) disciplinary action is taken against the licensee, or(b) the decision is made that disciplinary action will not be taken against the licensee.s 7D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7E Grant of approval—general
(1) IPART may refuse to grant an approval if not satisfied—(a) the proposed registered operator of the infrastructure has the capacity to comply with the conditions of its operator licence, having regard to all the infrastructure it operates or will operate under the licence, or(b) for a regulated scheme—the proposed licensed retailer of water or sewerage services provided by means of the scheme has the capacity to comply with conditions of its retailer licence, having regard to all the water and sewerage services it sells or will sell under its licence, or(c) about other matters IPART considers relevant, having regard to the public interest.(2) Before determining an application, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.s 7E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7F Approval to specify certain matters
(1) A scheme approval must specify the following—(a) the area (the area of operations) within which the water industry infrastructure, including a reticulation network connected to the infrastructure, is authorised to be constructed,(b) the location that the water industry infrastructure, other than pipelines within the reticulation network connected to the infrastructure, is authorised to be constructed,(c) the class or classes of water industry infrastructure authorised by the approval,(d) the design capacity of the water industry infrastructure, as expressed in kilolitres per day, authorised by the approval,(e) the purposes for which the water industry infrastructure is intended to be operated after its construction,(f) for a scheme to be constructed in stages—(i) the water industry infrastructure authorised to be constructed in each stage, and(ii) the part of the area of operations within which the infrastructure is authorised to be constructed in each stage.(2) An operational approval must specify the following—(a) the scheme and scheme approval to which it applies,(b) the purposes for which the water industry infrastructure is authorised to be operated,(c) for a scheme that is to be constructed in stages, the stage or stages to which the operational approval applies.(3) The same land may be within the area of operations of more than one approval.s 7F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7G Conditions of approval—imposition, variation and revocation
(1) The authority conferred by an approval is subject to the following—(a) conditions imposed by this Act,(b) conditions imposed by the regulations,(c) conditions imposed by IPART on the grant of an approval or subsequently under this Act.(2) IPART may, on the application of the registered operator of water industry infrastructure to which an approval applies or on its own initiative, impose further conditions on the approval or vary or revoke conditions of the approval, other than conditions imposed by this Act or the regulations.(3) If IPART proposes to impose further conditions on, or vary or revoke conditions of, an approval on its own initiative, IPART must—(a) give written notice of the proposal to the registered operator of the infrastructure concerned specifying the reasons for it, and(b) allow the registered operator at least 14 days within which to make submissions to IPART about the proposal.(4) If IPART considers it appropriate to invite submissions on a proposal or application to impose further conditions on or vary or revoke conditions of an approval because of the importance or effect of the conditions, IPART may invite submissions on the proposal or application as if it were an application for an approval.(5) Before determining an application to impose further conditions on, or vary or revoke conditions of, an approval, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.(6) Subject to the expression of a contrary intention, the following regulations apply to approvals whether granted before or after the regulations are made—(a) regulations imposing conditions on an approval,(b) regulations varying or revoking conditions of an approval imposed by the regulations.Note—Section 5A also requires that the decision-maker have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not an approval is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on an approval.s 7G: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7H Conditions of scheme approval
(1) Without limiting section 7G, conditions of a scheme approval imposed by the regulations or by IPART may require the following—(a) completion of the construction of the infrastructure in accordance with specified plans and specifications,(b) the giving and maintaining of security, in an amount and form determined by IPART, for compliance with the conditions of approval and the completion of the construction of the infrastructure,(c) the maintaining of insurance of a type and at a level specified in the condition,(d) the completed infrastructure to meet specified criteria for safe and reliable operation and the protection of the environment and public health,(e) the installation of individual meters for each household or business,(f) the testing, certification or auditing of the infrastructure,(g) the submission to IPART of notifications relating to the infrastructure,(h) the preparation of plans or systems for operation of the scheme.(2) A registered operator constructing water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies must—(a) comply with the conditions of the relevant scheme approval, and(b) ensure compliance with the conditions by other persons who are engaged by or act on behalf of the registered operator or for whom the registered operator is otherwise responsible in connection with the construction of the infrastructure.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.s 7H: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7I Conditions of operational approval
(1) Without limiting section 7G, conditions of an operational approval imposed by the regulations or by IPART may require the following—(a) the operation of the infrastructure in accordance with specified plans and systems and other requirements,(b) the infrastructure to meet specified criteria for safe and reliable operation and the protection of the environment and public health.(2) A registered operator operating water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies must—(a) comply with the conditions of the relevant operational approval and the relevant scheme approval, and(b) ensure compliance with the conditions by other persons who are engaged by or act on behalf of the registered operator or for whom the registered operator is otherwise responsible in connection with the operation of the infrastructure.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.s 7I: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7J Duration of approval
An approval remains in force until it is cancelled or surrendered.s 7J: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7K Variation of approval
(1) An application may be made to IPART for the variation of an approval.Note—Section 12 imposes requirements for an application and allows an application to be rejected if the requirements are not complied with.(2) An application for the variation of an approval may be made only by the applicant for the approval or the registered operator of the scheme.(3) An application for the variation of an approval may relate to an aspect of the approval, including a matter required to be specified under section 7F.(4) IPART must invite submissions on a proposed variation from the registered operator of the infrastructure if the registered operator is not the applicant and may invite submissions from persons IPART considers appropriate.(5) An invitation to make submissions must allow at least 14 days for submissions to be made and must be accompanied by a copy of the application or indicate how a copy of the application may be obtained.(6) IPART is to determine an application for variation by approving the variation, either as applied for or with modifications IPART considers appropriate, or by refusing to approve the variation.(7) IPART must refuse to approve a variation of an approval if an application for the approval as proposed to be varied would be required to be refused under section 7C(1)(a) or 7D(1)(a)–(d).Note—Section 5A also requires that the decision-maker have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not an approval is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on an approval.(8) IPART may refuse to approve a variation on 1 or more grounds on which an application for the approval as proposed to be varied would be permitted to be refused.(9) IPART is not to approve a variation of an approval if in its the opinion the proposed variation is so significant as to be better dealt with by a fresh application for the approval.Note—If IPART refuses to vary an approval, a new approval can be applied for.(10) If IPART proposes to refuse to approve the variation of an approval, IPART must—(a) give written notice of the proposed refusal to the applicant and, if the registered operator was not the applicant, to the registered operator of the infrastructure, specifying the reasons for the proposed refusal, and(b) allow each person given notice of the proposed refusal at least 14 days to make submissions to IPART about the proposed refusal.(11) If IPART approves a variation of an approval—(a) IPART is to give notice of the variation to the applicant and, if the registered operator was not the applicant, to the registered operator of the infrastructure, for the variation, and(b) the varied approval replaces the original approval as from the date determined by IPART to be the registration date of the variation.(12) Before determining an application to vary an approval, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.(13) To avoid doubt, a variation of an approval is not required for additional pipeline reticulation within a scheme’s area of operations.(14) If IPART is satisfied an approval contains an obvious error or mis-description, IPART may grant a replacement approval to correct the error or mis-description.(15) On granting a replacement approval, IPART must ensure notice of the grant of the replacement approval is given to the applicant and published on IPART’s website.s 7K: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
7L Staged approval
(1) An approval may be granted—(a) for the activity or one or more of the activities for which the approval is sought, or(b) for an activity, except for a specified part or aspect of the activity, or(c) for a specified part or aspect of an activity.(2) An approval may be granted subject to a condition that an activity or a specified part or aspect of an activity, or a thing associated with the activity or the carrying out of the activity, must be the subject of either one or both of the following—(a) a further approval,(b) a variation of an existing approval.(3) In this section, activity means—(a) in relation to a scheme approval—the construction of water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies, and(b) in relation to an operational approval—the operation of water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies.s 7L: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 4 Licences
pt 2, div 4: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8 Operator licence
An operator licence authorises the construction and operation of water industry infrastructure of the class specified in the licence for which the licensee is the registered operator.Note—Operator licences are granted by the Minister.s 8: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8A Retailer licence
A retailer licence authorises the sale of water or sewerage services provided by means of water industry infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered retailer.Note—Retailer licences are granted by the Minister.s 8A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8B Applying for a licence
(1) An application for a licence is to be made to IPART and determined by the Minister.(2) On receiving an application for a licence, IPART must—(a) give a copy of the application to the Minister, and(b) invite submissions on the application from persons as required by the regulations, and(c) invite submissions on the application from the public by notice published on IPART’s website and otherwise as considered appropriate by IPART.Note—Section 12 imposes requirements for an application and allows an application to be rejected if the requirements are not complied with.(3) An invitation to make submissions on an application must allow at least 28 days for submissions to be made and must be accompanied by a copy of the application, other than material IPART considers to be confidential, or set out how a copy of the application may be obtained.(4) After considering an application for a licence and the submissions on the application, IPART is to provide a report on the application to the Minister.(5) The report must include recommendations regarding the following—(a) whether or not a licence should be granted,(b) the licence conditions, if any, that should be imposed on the licence.(6) IPART is not required to notify the applicant about, or give the applicant an opportunity to make submissions about, a report or proposed report to the Minister on an application despite a requirement of the rules of procedural fairness.(7) Before providing a report on an application to the Minister, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.(8) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, IPART’s report and recommendations and may seek further advice from IPART on an application.s 8B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8C Determining an application for a licence
(1) The Minister is to determine an application for a licence by granting the licence, either as applied for or with modifications the Minister considers appropriate, or by refusing to grant the licence.Note—Section 5A also requires the decision-maker to have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not a licence is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on a licence.(2) A licence must be granted only to a corporation or council.(3) A licence must not be granted unless the Minister is satisfied as to each of the following—(a) that the applicant is a suitable corporation to be granted the licence,(b) other matters specified by the regulations.(4) The Minister may refuse to grant the licence for another reason the Minister considers relevant, having regard to the public interest.(5) If the Minister proposes to refuse to grant a licence or to grant a licence with modifications, the Minister must—(a) give written notice of the proposed refusal or modifications to the applicant specifying the reasons for the refusal or modifications, and(b) allow the applicant at least 14 days within which to make submissions to the Minister about the proposed refusal or modifications.(6) On making a decision on an application, the Minister must ensure notice of the Minister’s decision is given to the applicant and published on IPART’s website.s 8C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8D Meaning of “suitable corporation”
(1) A corporation is a suitable corporation to be granted a licence under this Part only if the Minister has determined that—(a) the corporation has the capacity, including technical, financial and organisational capacity, to comply with obligations under this Act and to carry out the activities to be authorised by the licence, and(b) the corporation is otherwise suitable to be granted the licence, taking into account the mandatory considerations under this section and the non-mandatory considerations under this section that the Minister thinks appropriate.(2) For the purpose of determining whether a council is a suitable corporation, the only relevant capacity for determination is technical capacity and none of the mandatory or non-mandatory considerations are to be taken into account.(3) A council is a suitable corporation if the Minister has determined that the council has the technical capacity to comply with obligations under this Act and to carry out the activities to be authorised by the licence.(4) A corporation is not a suitable corporation to be granted a licence if the corporation is a disqualified corporation.(5) The following considerations are the mandatory considerations to be taken into account in determining whether a corporation is a suitable corporation to be granted a licence—(a) whether an insolvency official has been appointed for the corporation or the whole or part of the property of the corporation, an order has been made for the winding-up of the corporation or a resolution has been passed for the winding-up of the corporation,(b) whether the corporation or a director of the corporation has committed an offence against this Act or another law of this State, the Commonwealth, another State or a Territory relating to the water industry, public health, environment protection, development control or consumer protection,(c) whether the corporation or a director of the corporation has held a statutory authorisation that has been cancelled or suspended or has been disqualified from obtaining a statutory authorisation,(d) whether a director of the corporation is of good repute and character, having particular regard to honesty and integrity,(e) whether a director of the corporation has become, within the previous 3 years, an insolvent under administration within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth,(f) whether a director of the corporation has been, within the previous 3 years, the director of a body corporate when an insolvency official has been appointed for the corporation or the whole or part of the property of the corporation, an order has been made for the winding-up of the corporation or a resolution has been passed for the winding-up of the corporation,(g) other matters prescribed by the regulations.(6) The following considerations are the non-mandatory considerations that may be taken into account in determining whether a corporation is a suitable corporation to be granted a licence—(a) each of the mandatory considerations for a related corporation of the corporation under consideration as if a reference in the mandatory considerations to the corporation were a reference to a related corporation of that corporation,(b) each of the mandatory considerations for a person concerned in the management of the corporation under consideration as if a reference in the mandatory considerations to a director of the corporation were a reference to a person concerned in the management of the corporation,(c) whether the corporation is a related corporation of a disqualified corporation,(d) other considerations the Minister considers relevant.(7) For the purposes of determining whether a corporation has the relevant capacity to be a suitable corporation to be granted a licence, the following must be taken into account—(a) the extent to which the corporation relies on arrangements with contractors or subcontractors, including related corporations, for the necessary capacity,(b) the suitability of the arrangements,(c) proposed licence conditions relating to the arrangements.(8) In this section, means a licence, approval or other authorisation whether under the law of this State, the Commonwealth, another State or a Territory.s 8D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8E Operator licences to specify certain matters
An operator licence must specify the following—(a) the activities authorised by the licence,(b) the class or classes of water industry infrastructure authorised by the licence,(c) the maximum number of schemes the licensee is authorised to construct or operate,(d) the maximum scale of the schemes the licensee is authorised to construct or operate, whether determined by reference to the number of customers, connections, volumetric limits or otherwise.s 8E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8F Retailer licences to specify certain matters
A retailer licence must specify the following—(a) the activities authorised by the licence,(b) the maximum scale of the schemes for which the licensee is authorised to act as retailer, whether determined by reference to the number of customers, connections or otherwise.s 8F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8G Licence conditions—imposition, variation and revocation
(1) A licence is subject to the following conditions—(a) conditions imposed by this Act,(b) conditions imposed by the regulations,(c) conditions imposed by the Minister on the grant of the licence or subsequently under this Act.Note—Section 12 imposes requirements for an application and allows an application to be rejected if the requirements are not complied with.(2) The Minister may, by written notice to a licensee, impose further conditions on, or vary or revoke conditions of, the licence, other than conditions imposed by this Act or the regulations—(a) on the application of the licensee, or(b) on the recommendation of IPART, or(c) on the Minister’s own initiative.Note—Section 5A also requires the decision-maker to have regard to the objects of this Act and other additional objects when considering whether or not a licence is to be granted or varied under this Part and what conditions are to be imposed on a licence.(3) Nothing in Part 3 limits the power of the Minister to impose licence conditions.(4) If the Minister proposes to impose further conditions on, or vary or revoke conditions of, a licence on the recommendation of IPART or on the Minister’s own initiative, the Minister must—(a) give written notice of the proposal to the licensee specifying the reasons for it, and(b) allow the licensee at least 14 days within which to make submissions to the Minister about the proposal.(5) If the Minister considers it is appropriate to invite submissions on a proposal or application to impose further licence conditions or vary or revoke licence conditions because of the importance or effect of the conditions, IPART must, at the request of the Minister, invite submissions on the proposal or application as if it were an application for a licence.(6) An application by a licensee to impose further licence conditions or vary or revoke licence conditions is to be made to IPART and determined by the Minister.(7) After considering an application by a licensee to impose further licence conditions or vary or revoke licence conditions, IPART is to provide a report on the application to the Minister.(8) Before providing a report to the Minister on an application by the licensee to impose further licence conditions or vary or revoke licence conditions, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.(9) Regulations that impose licence conditions or vary or revoke licence conditions imposed by the regulations apply, subject to the expression of a contrary intention, to licences whether granted before or after the regulations are made.s 8G: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8H Operator licence conditions
(1) The following conditions are conditions of an operator licence—(a) the licensee must comply with the conditions of each approval that applies to water industry infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered operator,(b) the licensee must ensure the water industry infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered operator is operated only for the purposes authorised by the relevant approval,(c) the licensee must operate water industry infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered operator—(i) safely and reliably, and(ii) in a way consistent with the national safety guidelines for the control of public health risks, and(iii) in a way that does not present an significant risk of harm to the environment,(d) the licensee must have and maintain the capacity, including technical, financial and organisational capacity, to operate all the infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered operator,(e) the licensee must give written notice to IPART of a failure by the licensee to maintain technical, financial or organisational capacity as soon as practicable after the failure occurs,(f) if the licensee proposes to cease or ceases to operate water industry infrastructure for which the licensee is the registered operator, the licensee must give written notice to IPART of that fact within the period required by the regulations,(g) the licensee must establish and maintain privacy policies and practices that lawfully enable customer information to be provided to and used by the following—(i) a last resort provider in connection with a declared failure or last resort contingency planning,(ii) another licensee who is substituted as the registered operator for the scheme.(h) if the licensee is the registered operator of a regulated scheme, but is not the registered retailer for the scheme, the licensee must—(i) ensure a water or sewerage service provided by means of the scheme is not sold except by the registered retailer for the scheme or a public water utility, and(ii) if the water or sewerage service provided by means of the scheme is sold by a registered retailer—maintain and give effect to an agreement with the registered retailer, being an agreement that complies with the requirements of the regulations, if any, for the sale by the registered retailer of the water or sewerage services,(i) if the licensee is the registered operator of a scheme, the licensee must, for essential infrastructure, take all reasonable steps to prevent circumstances arising that permit a declaration of a failure of an essential service provider under Part 5, Division 3.(2) Without limiting section 8G, conditions imposed on an operator licence by the regulations or the Minister may require the following—(a) the licensee to give and maintain security, in an amount and form determined by the Minister, for compliance with licence conditions,(b) the licensee to maintain an appropriate level of insurance, taking into account all the water industry infrastructure operated by the licensee under the licence,(c) the licensee to supply to IPART statements that detail the following—(i) the extent to which the licence, or the provisions of this Act or the regulations, have or have not been complied with,(ii) the particulars of failures to comply with the licence or provisions,(iii) the reasons for failures to comply with the licence or provisions,(iv) actions taken, or to be taken, to prevent a recurrence of the failures or to mitigate the effects of the failures.s 8H: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8I Retailer licence conditions
(1) The following conditions are conditions of a retailer licence—(a) if the licensee proposes to cease, or ceases, to provide retail services under the licence for a particular regulated scheme, the licensee must give written notice to IPART of that fact within the period required by the regulations,(b) the licensee must have and maintain the capacity, including financial and organisational capacity, to provide all the retail services provided by the licensed retailer under the licence,(c) the licensee must give IPART written notice of a failure by the licensee to maintain technical, financial or organisational capacity as soon as practicable after the failure occurs,(d) the licensee must establish and maintain privacy policies and practices that lawfully enable customer information to be provided to and used by the following—(i) a last resort provider in connection with a declared failure or last resort contingency planning,(ii) another licensee who is substituted as the registered retailer for the scheme.(2) Without limiting section 8G, conditions imposed on a retailer licence by the regulations or the Minister may require the following—(a) the licensee to give and maintain security, in an amount and form determined by the Minister, for compliance with licence conditions,(b) the licensee to maintain an appropriate level of insurance, taking into account all the retail services provided by the licensee under the licence,(c) the licensee to obtain the approval of the Minister or IPART before entering into an agreement with the registered operator for a regulated scheme for the sale of further water or sewerage services provided by means of the regulated scheme,(d) if the licence authorises the sale of drinking water—for the purpose of promoting the equitable sharing of the costs of State water security among public water utilities and licensed retailers of drinking water, the following—(i) the licensee to obtain a specified proportion of the water that it supplies under the authority of its licence by means of specified water industry infrastructure,(ii) the licensee to contribute to the costs of specified water industry infrastructure, whether or not it is supplied with water from that infrastructure, calculated in a way specified in the regulations or by condition and payable to a person or persons specified in the regulations or by condition,(e) the licensee to supply to IPART statements that detail the following—(i) the extent to which the licence, or the provisions of this Act or the regulations, have or have not been complied with,(ii) the particulars of failures to comply with the licence or provisions,(iii) the reasons for failures to comply with the licence or provisions,(iv) actions taken, or to be taken, to prevent a recurrence of the failures or to mitigate the effects of the failures.s 8I: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8J Offence—failure to comply with licence conditions
A licensee must comply with the conditions of the licence.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.s 8J: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8K Composite operator and retailer licences
(1) An operator licence and retailer licence may be applied for and granted together as the component licences of a composite licence.(2) An application for a composite licence is to be dealt with and determined as if it were an application for each of the component licences of the composite licence.(3) A composite licence operates as both the operator licence and retailer licence that are its component licences and each of the licences is, as a component licence, subject to the conditions to which it would be subject as a separate licence.(4) The regulations may make provision for the following—(a) the circumstances in which an operator licence and retailer licence may or must be applied for as a composite licence,(b) the splitting of a composite licence into its component licences.s 8K: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8L Duration of licence
(1) A licence remains in force until it is cancelled or it is surrendered by the licensee with the consent of the Minister.(2) A licence that is suspended does not authorise the following while suspended but otherwise remains in force for the purposes of this Act—(a) for an operator licence—the operation of water industry infrastructure, or(b) for a retailer licence—the sale of water or sewerage services provided by means of water industry infrastructure.s 8L: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8M Variation of licence
(1) An application for the variation of a licence may be made to IPART for determination by the Minister.Note—Section 12 imposes requirements for an application and allows an application to be rejected if the requirements are not complied with.(2) An application for the variation of a licence may be made only by the licensee.(3) An application for the variation of a licence can relate to an aspect of the licence, including to a matter required to be specified in sections 8E and 8F, as applicable.(4) Before determining an application to vary a licence, IPART may require an application audit to be undertaken.(5) If the Minister is satisfied that a licence contains an obvious error or mis-description, the Minister may grant a replacement licence to correct the error or mis-description.(6) On granting a replacement licence, the Minister must ensure notice of the grant of the replacement licence is given to the applicant and published on IPART’s website.s 8M: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8N Annual fees and returns
(1) A licensee must, in each year before the date fixed for that purpose by the Minister by written notice—(a) pay to the Minister the annual licence fee determined by the Minister, and(b) lodge with IPART an annual return containing the information required by—(i) the Minister, or(ii) IPART.(2) The Minister may, by written notice, require information in an annual return be verified in a specified way.(3) IPART may, by written notice, require specified information in an annual return be verified in a specified way.(4) If a licensee fails to pay a fee or lodge a return as required, the Minister may, by written notice, require the licensee to make good the default and, in addition, pay the Minister the amount fixed by the regulations as a penalty for default.(5) A matter specified in a written notice under this section may be varied by a further written notice.s 8N: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8O Surrender of licence
(1) A licence may be surrendered with the consent of the Minister.(2) The Minister must consent to the surrender of a licence unless otherwise required under this section.(3) If, on application for consent to the surrender of a licence, the Minister is satisfied further steps are necessary for the protection of public health or safety, the environment or small retail customers, the Minister—(a) must not consent to the surrender of the licence, and(b) must impose further licence conditions the Minister considers appropriate for the protection of public health or safety, the environment or small retail customers, as applicable (protection conditions).(4) The Minister may consent to the surrender of the licence referred to in subsection (3) on the licensee satisfying the Minister that the protection conditions have been fulfilled or satisfactory arrangements have been made for their fulfilment.(5) If the licensee provides an essential service under the licence, the Minister must not consent to the surrender of the licence unless the Minister is satisfied satisfactory arrangements are in place for the continued provision of the service.s 8O: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
8P Transfer of licence
A licence is not transferable.s 8P: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 5 Special provisions addressing risk to public health or safety
pt 2, div 5: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
9 Public health and safety directions
(1) A regulatory authority may, if of the reasonable opinion it is necessary to deal with a risk to public health or safety arising from the construction or operation of water industry infrastructure to which this Part applies, give a direction (public health and safety direction) to a person requiring specified action to be taken to manage, reduce or eliminate the risk.(2) A public health and safety direction may be given orally or in writing.(3) Without limiting the public health and safety directions that may be given, if in the opinion of the regulatory authority the risk is sufficiently serious to warrant it, the directions may require cessation of operation of the infrastructure.(4) Before giving a public health and safety direction, the regulatory authority must, unless the urgency of the circumstances preclude it, consult with the Minister responsible for the administration of the Public Health Act 2010, or that Minister’s nominee, and SafeWork NSW.(5) If a person contravenes a public health and safety direction, the regulatory authority concerned may arrange for the required action to be taken by a person authorised by IPART to take the action.(6) A person who contravenes a public health and safety direction must pay the regulatory authority concerned an amount equal to the reasonable cost of action taken under subsection (5).(7) A person who contravenes a public health and safety direction is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.s 9: Am 2010 No 127, Sch 4.23. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 6 Enforcement and cancellation of approvals and licences
pt 2, div 6: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10 Statutory default
(1) A statutory default occurs if—(a) a person contravenes a requirement of this Act to hold a licence or obtain an approval, or(b) a licensee contravenes this Act or the regulations, including a condition of a licence or approval, or(c) a licence is improperly obtained, or(d) an event occurs or circumstances come to light that mean the licensee would not be granted the licence if an application for the licence were now to be made.(2) Action may be taken against a person under this Division for a statutory default even though the person has since ceased to hold a licence.s 10: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [6]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10A Effect of criminal proceedings
(1) A regulatory authority may exercise its powers under this Division in relation to a statutory default whether or not criminal proceedings have been, or are to be, taken for the default and even though a penalty may have already been imposed for the default.(2) However, the regulatory authority must, in imposing a monetary penalty, take into account a fine that has already been imposed in criminal proceedings.s 10A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10B Compliance notice
(1) If a statutory default occurs, IPART may give written notice (a compliance notice) to the alleged defaulter specifying the default and requiring the alleged defaulter to take specified action, within a period specified in the notice, to remedy or mitigate the consequences of the default or to prevent the continuance or recurrence of the default.(2) Without limiting the action that may be specified, a compliance notice may—(a) require a notice to be given to customers or to be published, or(b) require an audit and compliance program to be undertaken, or(c) require a training program to be undertaken.(3) If the alleged defaulter fails to take the specified action within the time allowed in the notice, the alleged defaulter is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—18,000 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—3,500 penalty units.(4) IPART is not required to give an alleged defaulter an opportunity to make submissions on a compliance notice or proposed compliance notice before it is given despite a requirement of the rules of procedural fairness.s 10B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10C Injunctive remedies
(1) If a statutory default occurs or there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a statutory default may occur or be attempted, the Supreme Court may, on application by IPART, grant an injunction to prevent the statutory default or to prevent recurrence of the statutory default.(2) The injunction may be granted on terms the Court considers appropriate.(3) An injunction may be granted under this section whether or not—(a) there has been some previous statutory default of the same or a similar nature, or(b) there is imminent danger of substantial damage to a person.(4) No undertaking as to damages can be required of IPART in proceedings under this section.s 10C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10D Disciplinary action by IPART
(1) If a statutory default occurs, IPART may give written notice to the alleged defaulter specifying the default and requiring the alleged defaulter to show cause, within a period specified in the notice, why disciplinary action should not be taken against the alleged defaulter.(2) IPART must allow at least 14 days for written submissions to be made, or provide for a hearing at which oral submissions may be made, to IPART by—(a) the alleged defaulter, and(b) a related corporation or person—if an allegation in relation to the statutory default is made against—(i) the related corporation of the alleged defaulter, or(ii) a person who is a director or person concerned in the management of the alleged defaulter or the related corporation of the alleged defaulter.(3) After considering submissions made by the alleged defaulter, IPART may, by order, do 1 or more of the following (a disciplinary action)—(a) censure the alleged defaulter,(b) impose a fine on the alleged defaulter of up to—(i) for a corporation—4,500 penalty units, or(ii) for an individual—1,000 penalty units,(c) order the forfeiture to the Crown of the whole or part of security given under this Act by the alleged defaulter,(d) for an approval—(i) impose further conditions or vary conditions of the approval, or(ii) suspend the approval for a specified period, until the fulfilment of specified conditions or until further order of the authority, or(iii) with the written concurrence of the Minister—cancel the approval,(e) for a licence, with the written concurrence of the Minister—(i) impose further licence conditions or vary the licence conditions, including by imposing a condition that prohibits the licensee from providing a particular service under the licence, or(ii) suspend the licence for a specified period, until the fulfilment of specified conditions or until further order of the authority, or(iii) prohibit the licensee being registered as the registered operator under a further scheme approval for a specified period, until the fulfilment of specified conditions or until further order of the authority, or(iv) cancel the licence,(f) declare that the alleged defaulter, or a related corporation of the alleged defaulter, is a disqualified corporation for a specified period, or until the fulfilment of specified conditions or until further order of the authority,(g) declare that a person who is a director or concerned in the management of the alleged defaulter or a related corporation of the alleged defaulter is a disqualified individual for a specified period, until the fulfilment of specified conditions or until further order of the authority.(4) If the alleged defaulter owns essential infrastructure or provides an essential service, IPART must, in determining the appropriate disciplinary action to take and the date when it is to take effect, consider whether there are suitable arrangements in place for the continuity of the service.(5) Disciplinary action takes effect on the date the order is served on the alleged defaulter or on a later date specified in the order.(6) If a statutory default comprises an offence for which a penalty notice may be issued, a penalty notice has been issued for the default and the penalty has been paid, no fine may be imposed under subsection (3)(b) for the default.s 10D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10E Disciplinary action by Minister
(1) If a statutory default has occurred and IPART has not taken disciplinary action under section 10D, not including giving a written notice under section 10D(1), the Minister may give IPART a written notice requiring IPART to take disciplinary action against the alleged defaulter, within a period specified in the notice.(2) If IPART does not take disciplinary action within the specified period—(a) section 10D is to be read as if references to IPART were references to the Minister, and(b) the Minister may accordingly take action under that section in relation to the statutory default, and(c) IPART may not take action under that section in relation to the statutory default.s 10E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10F Court orders in addition to penalty
(1) If, in proceedings for an offence under this Act, the court finds the defendant contravened this Part, the court may, in addition to the imposition of a penalty, do one or more of the following—(a) order the person to take specified action to remedy or mitigate the consequences of the contravention or to prevent the continuance or recurrence of the contravention,(b) order the person to take specified action to publicise the contravention and its consequences and a compliance notice or other order made against the person,(c) order the person to pay a public authority reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the authority in taking action to remedy or mitigate the consequences of the contravention,(d) order the person to pay to a person, other than a public authority, reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the person, or compensation of an amount determined by the court for injury, loss or damage suffered by the person, as a result of the contravention,(e) order the person to pay reasonable costs and expenses incurred during the investigation of the contravention, including costs and expenses in taking samples or conducting inspections, tests, measurements or analysis, or transporting, storing or disposing of evidence,(f) order the person to pay an amount not exceeding the court’s estimation of the amount of the economic benefit acquired by the person, or accrued or accruing to the person, as a result of the contravention.(2) An economic benefit obtained by delaying or avoiding costs is to be taken to be an economic benefit acquired by the person, or accrued or accruing to the person, as a result of a contravention if the contravention can be attributed, in whole or in part, to that delay or avoidance.(3) The court may, by an order under this section, fix a period for compliance and impose other requirements the court considers necessary or expedient for enforcement of the order.(4) The Local Court—(a) may not make an order under subsection (1)(e), and(b) may not make an order under this section for the payment of an amount that exceeds in total the amount for which an order may be made by the court when exercising jurisdiction under the Civil Procedure Act 2005.s 10F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10G Cancellation of approval and forfeiture of security
(1) There are grounds for the cancellation of an approval under this section if—(a) for a scheme approval—(i) 5 years have elapsed since the grant of the approval and the construction of the infrastructure has not substantially commenced, or(ii) there is no longer an intention to construct or bring into operation water industry infrastructure as proposed, or(b) for an operational approval—operation of the infrastructure under this Act has ceased on a permanent basis or it is intended that operation of the infrastructure under this Act cease on a permanent basis.(2) However, an approval for essential infrastructure may not be cancelled—(a) in circumstances that may result in a declared failure or in which a failure of a provider of the essential service may be declared, or(b) during a declared failure of a provider of the essential service, or(c) in circumstances in which directions may be given to an insolvency official under Part 5, Division 3 in relation to a provider of the essential service.(3) IPART may, by written notice given to the registered operator of water industry infrastructure, require the operator to show cause, within a period specified in the notice, being a period of not less than 14 days—(a) if IPART is acting on its own initiative—why a scheme approval or operational approval for the infrastructure should not be cancelled and the security given by the registered operator, if any, be forfeited, or(b) if the registered operator has applied for the cancellation of a scheme approval or operational approval for the infrastructure—why the security given by the registered operator, if any, should not be forfeited.(4) IPART must allow the registered operator to show cause by making written submissions to IPART or by providing for a hearing at which the registered operator may make oral submissions to IPART.(5) After considering submissions made by the registered operator, if IPART is satisfied there are grounds for the cancellation of an approval—(a) IPART may—(i) cancel the approval, or(ii) impose further conditions on the approval and cancel the approval only after the registered operator has satisfied IPART that the further conditions have been fulfilled or that satisfactory arrangements have been made for their fulfilment, and(b) IPART may order the forfeiture to the Crown of the whole or part of the security given by the registered operator under this Act.s 10G: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
10H Cancellation of approval in public interest
(1) The Minister may, by written notice to a registered operator of an approval, cancel the approval if the Minister considers the cancellation to be in the public interest.(2) Another Minister or IPART may make a written recommendation to the Minister that the cancellation of an approval is in the public interest.(3) The notice must specify whether the cancellation is on the Minister’s own initiative or on the written recommendation of another Minister or IPART.(4) Cancellation may apply to the whole or a specified part of the water industry infrastructure to which the approval relates.(5) Cancellation takes effect on the day specified in the notice of cancellation.(6) In determining when the cancellation is to take effect, the Minister is to consider the public interest and, if the cancellation is on the recommendation of another Minister or IPART, that Minister’s or IPART’s reasons for the recommendation.(7) The registered operator of an approval may bring proceedings for compensation in the Supreme Court—(a) if the cancellation was on the Minister’s own initiative or on the recommendation of IPART—against the Minister, or(b) if the cancellation was on the written recommendation of another Minister—against that Minister.(8) The Supreme Court is to hear the proceedings and determine whether it is just for compensation to be paid to the plaintiff because of the cancellation.(9) If the Supreme Court determines it is just for compensation to be paid, the Supreme Court must determine the amount of compensation and give judgment accordingly.s 10H: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 7 Administrative review and appeal
pt 2, div 7: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
11 Administrative review by Civil and Administrative Tribunal
(1) An application in accordance with this section may be made to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of a decision under this Part specified in this section.(2) An applicant for an approval may apply for an administrative review of a decision of IPART—(a) refusing to grant an approval or granting an approval with modifications not agreed to by the applicant, or(b) refusing to accept a variation of an application after an invitation to make submissions has been given, or(c) fixing conditions of an approval.(3) A registered operator of a scheme, the owner of water industry infrastructure forming part of a scheme or the owner of the land on which water industry infrastructure forming part of a scheme is located, other than pipelines within the reticulation network connected to the infrastructure, may apply for an administrative review of a decision of IPART relating to the scheme—(a) varying an approval or refusing to approve a variation of an approval, or(b) refusing to vary or revoke conditions of an approval, or(c) refusing to give a consent or grant an approval required by conditions of an approval, or(d) varying or imposing further conditions of an approval, or(e) refusing to cancel an approval on application.(4) An applicant for a licence may apply for an administrative review of a decision of the Minister—(a) refusing to grant a licence or granting a licence with modifications not agreed to by the applicant, or(b) fixing conditions of a licence.(5) A licensee may apply for an administrative review of a decision of the Minister—(a) refusing to vary the classes of infrastructure that may be operated under the licence, or(b) refusing to vary or revoke licence conditions, or(c) refusing to give a consent or grant an approval required by licence conditions, or(d) varying or imposing further licence conditions, or(e) refusing to consent to the surrender of the licence.(6) In determining an application for an administrative review of a decision under this Part, the Civil and Administrative Tribunal is to decide what the correct and preferable decision is—(a) having regard to the material available to the decision-maker at the time of the decision, and(b) disregarding new material or new evidence provided by the applicant.(7) Subsection (6) has effect despite the provisions of the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 and the Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013.s 11: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
11A Appeal to Land and Environment Court
(1) The following appeals may be made to the Land and Environment Court against a decision under this Part—(a) a person to whom a compliance notice is issued by the Minister or IPART may appeal against the decision to issue the notice,(b) a person against whom disciplinary action is taken by the Minister or IPART may appeal against the decision to take that action,(c) the registered operator of an approval that is cancelled on the initiative of the Minister or IPART may appeal against the decision to cancel the approval,(d) a person against whom an order for forfeiture of security is made may appeal against the decision to make the order or as to the amount to be forfeited.(2) An appeal is to be made in accordance with the rules of court, but may not be made more than 21 days after the day on which written notice of the decision is served on the person.(3) Subject to an order made by the Land and Environment Court, an appeal does not operate to stay the decision to which the appeal relates.(4) Despite the Land and Environment Court Act 1979, section 39(3), in determining an appeal against a decision under this Part, the Land and Environment Court is not to have regard to new material or new evidence provided by the appellant that was not available to the person who made the decision to which the application relates at the time of the decision.s 11A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Division 8 Miscellaneous
pt 2, div 8: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
12 Applications
(1) An application under this Part, other than under Division 7—(a) must be made in the way and be accompanied by the information—(i) in relation to an application for an approval—specified by IPART, or(ii) in another case—specified by the Minister, and(b) in relation to an application for an approval—must set out the proposed area of operations for the approval, and(c) must comply with the requirements set out in the regulations, and(d) must be accompanied by the fee determined for the application by the Minister.(2) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice to an applicant, require the applicant—(a) to give the Minister or IPART additional information reasonably required to decide the application, or(b) to have information in the application or additional information verified in a specified way.(3) An applicant must establish to the satisfaction of IPART that the State is authorised to use, by the giving of a licence or warranty or otherwise, free of charge for the purposes of this Act, including the publication of a notice, copyright material that is part of or provided by the applicant in connection with the application.(4) If an application or the applicant does not comply with the requirements of this section or the regulations, the application may be rejected.(5) An application that is rejected is taken not to have been made.s 12: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
12A Only one registered retailer permitted for each regulated scheme
(1) IPART may only register one registered retailer for each separate service provided by regulated scheme.(2) In this section, separate service means—(a) drinking water service,(b) recycled water service,(c) sewerage service.s 12A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
13–20 (Repealed)
s 13: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [7]–[9]. Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 14: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 15: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 16: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 17: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 18: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 19: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
s 20: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[4].
Part 3 Access to infrastructure services
Division 1 Preliminary
21 Object of Part
The object of this Part is to establish a scheme to promote the economically efficient use and operation of, and investment in, significant water industry infrastructure, thereby promoting effective competition in upstream or downstream markets.
22 Part applies only to scheduled areas
(1) This Part applies to and in respect of water industry infrastructure that is situated in, on or over land referred to in Schedule 1 (a scheduled area).(2) The Minister may, by order published on the NSW legislation website, amend Schedule 1 so as to add more scheduled areas or include more land in existing scheduled areas.s 22: Am 2009 No 56, Sch 4.80.
23 Declaration criteria
For the purposes of this Part, the following criteria are declaration criteria in relation to an infrastructure service provided by water industry infrastructure—(a) that the infrastructure is of State significance, having regard to its nature and extent and its importance to the State economy,(b) that it would not be economically feasible to duplicate the infrastructure,(c) that access (or an increase in access) to the service by third parties is necessary to promote a material increase in competition in an upstream or downstream market,(d) that the safe use of the infrastructure by access seekers can be ensured at an economically feasible cost and, if there is a safety requirement, that appropriate regulatory arrangements exist,(e) that access (or an increase in access) to the service would not be contrary to the public interest.
Division 2 Coverage declarations
24 Applications for coverage declaration
(1) An application for a coverage declaration for an infrastructure service may only be made by or on behalf of one of the following—(a) the service provider for that service,(b) an access seeker in relation to that service who has tried, but failed—(i) to obtain access to that service, or(ii) to obtain a change to some aspect of the person’s existing access to that service,(c) the Minister, in the case only of a service provided by a public water utility.(2) In the case of a service the subject of an existing coverage declaration, an application for the renewal of the declaration may also be made by any person currently having access to the service.(3) A coverage application—(a) must be in such form as the Minister may approve, and(b) must be accompanied by such fee as the Minister may determine, and(c) must be lodged at the office of IPART.
25 Consideration of coverage applications by IPART
(1) On receiving a coverage application, IPART—(a) must furnish a copy of the application to the Minister, and(b) must furnish copies of the application to, and invite submissions on the application from, such other persons as are prescribed by the regulations, and(c) must invite submissions on the application from the public.(2) After considering the application and any such submissions, IPART must furnish a report on the application to the Minister.(3) Such a report—(a) must include a statement of IPART’s opinion as to whether or not the declaration criteria are met in relation to the service to which the application relates, and(b) if IPART’s opinion is that all of those criteria are met, a recommendation as to the terms in which a coverage declaration should be made and the period for which it should have effect.(4) IPART must use its best endeavours to ensure that a report on the application is provided within 4 months after the application is made.(5) This section does not apply to—(a) a coverage application for an infrastructure service that is the subject of a binding non-coverage declaration or an access undertaking, or(b) a coverage application that IPART determines, with the consent of the Minister, to be frivolous or vexatious.
26 Determination of coverage applications by Minister
(1) The Minister must determine a coverage application—(a) if satisfied—(i) that all of the declaration criteria are met in relation to the service to which the application relates, andby making a coverage declaration in relation to the service, or(ii) that the service is not the subject of a binding non-coverage declaration or an access undertaking,(b) if not so satisfied, by refusing to make such a declaration.(2) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, any advice or recommendation in IPART’s report on the application and may, if circumstances so require, seek further advice from IPART in relation to the application.(3) A coverage declaration need not be in the terms sought by the coverage application, and may apply to a greater or lesser extent than that so sought.(4) The Minister must use his or her best endeavours to ensure that a decision on a coverage application is made within 6 months after the date on which the application was lodged with IPART.(5) On making a decision under this section, the Minister must cause notice of the decision, and of the reasons for the decision, to be given to IPART.(6) On receiving such notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice, together with its report on the coverage application, to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.
27 Period for which coverage declarations to have effect
(1) A coverage declaration must state the period for which it is to have effect.(2) Subject to its renewal under section 26, or to its revocation under section 30, a coverage declaration has effect until the end of that period.(3) A coverage declaration does not have effect in relation to an infrastructure service while the service is the subject of an access undertaking.
Division 3 Revocation of coverage declarations
28 Applications for revocation of coverage declaration
(1) An application for the revocation of a coverage declaration for an infrastructure service may only be made by or on behalf of the service provider for that service.(2) A revocation application—(a) must be in such form as the Minister may approve, and(b) must be accompanied by such fee as the Minister may determine, and(c) must be lodged at the office of IPART.
29 Consideration of revocation applications by IPART
(1) On receiving a revocation application, IPART—(a) must furnish a copy of the application to the Minister, and(b) must furnish copies of the application to, and invite submissions on the application from, such other persons as are prescribed by the regulations, and(c) must invite submissions on the application from the public.(2) After considering the application and any such submissions, IPART must furnish a report on the application to the Minister.(3) Such a report must include a statement of IPART’s opinion as to whether or not the declaration criteria are met in relation to the service to which the application relates.(4) IPART must use its best endeavours to ensure that a report on the application is provided within 4 months after the application is made.(5) This section does not apply to a revocation application that IPART determines, with the consent of the Minister, to be frivolous or vexatious.
30 Determination of revocation applications by Minister
(1) The Minister must determine a revocation application—(a) if satisfied that any of the declaration criteria are not met in relation to the service to which the application relates, by revoking the coverage declaration for the service, or(b) if not so satisfied, by refusing to make such a declaration.(2) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, any advice or recommendation in IPART’s report on the application and may, if circumstances so require, seek further advice from IPART in relation to the application.(3) A revocation declaration need not be in the terms sought by the revocation application, and may apply to a greater or lesser extent than that so sought.(4) The Minister must use his or her best endeavours to ensure that a decision on a revocation application is made within 6 months after the date on which the application was lodged with IPART.(5) On making a decision under this section, the Minister must cause notice of the decision, and of the reasons for the decision, to be given to IPART.(6) On receiving such notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice, together with its report on the revocation application, to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.(7) A revocation declaration takes effect on the day specified in the declaration in that regard.
Division 4 Binding non-coverage declarations
31 Application of Division
(1) This Division applies to infrastructure services to be provided by—(a) proposed water industry infrastructure, being infrastructure (other than a minor extension to existing infrastructure) that is not currently constructed, or(b) existing infrastructure that is not currently used, orbut does not apply to infrastructure services provided by existing water industry infrastructure.(c) existing infrastructure that is currently used otherwise than for the production, treatment, filtration, storage, conveyance or reticulation of water or sewage,(2) For the purposes of determining a binding non-coverage application, the references to currently in subsection (1) are references to the time when the application is made.
32 Applications for binding non-coverage declaration
(1) An application for a binding non-coverage declaration for an infrastructure service—(a) may only be made by or on behalf of the service provider for that service, and(b) may not be made after the water industry infrastructure by means of which the service is to be provided has been commissioned.(2) A binding non-coverage application—(a) must be in such form as the Minister may approve, and(b) must be accompanied by such fee as the Minister may determine, and(c) must be lodged at the office of IPART.
33 Consideration of binding non-coverage applications by IPART
(1) On receiving a binding non-coverage application, IPART—(a) must furnish a copy of the application to the Minister, and(b) must furnish copies of the application to, and invite submissions on the application from, such other persons as are prescribed by the regulations, and(c) must invite submissions on the application from the public.(2) After considering the application and any such submissions, IPART must furnish a report on the application to the Minister.(3) Such a report—(a) must include a statement of IPART’s opinion as to whether or not the declaration criteria are met in relation to the service to which the application relates, and(b) if IPART’s opinion is that any of those criteria are not met, a recommendation as to the terms in which a binding non-coverage declaration should be made and the period for which it should have effect.(4) IPART must use its best endeavours to ensure that a report on the application is provided within 4 months after the application is made.(5) This section does not apply to—(a) a binding non-coverage application for an infrastructure service that is the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking, or(b) a binding non-coverage application that IPART determines, with the consent of the Minister, to be frivolous or vexatious.
34 Determination of binding non-coverage applications by Minister
(1) The Minister must determine a binding non-coverage application—(a) if satisfied—(i) that any of the declaration criteria are not met in relation to the service to which the application relates, andby making a binding non-coverage declaration in relation to the service, or(ii) that the service is not the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking,(b) if not so satisfied, by refusing to make such a declaration.(2) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, any advice or recommendation in IPART’s report on the application and may, if circumstances so require, seek further advice from IPART in relation to the application.(3) The Minister must use his or her best endeavours to ensure that a decision on a binding non-coverage application is made within 6 months after the date on which the application was lodged with IPART.(4) On making a decision under this section, the Minister must cause notice of the decision, and of the reasons for the decision, to be given to IPART.(5) On receiving such notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice, together with its report on the binding non-coverage application, to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.
35 Period for which binding non-coverage declarations to have effect
(1) A binding non-coverage declaration must state the period (not exceeding 10 years) for which it is to have effect.(2) Subject to its renewal under section 34, or to its revocation under section 37, a binding non-coverage declaration has effect until the end of that period.(3) A binding non-coverage declaration does not have effect in relation to an infrastructure service while the service is the subject of an access undertaking.
36 Binding non-coverage declarations have effect only for complying infrastructure
A binding non-coverage declaration does not have effect unless the water industry infrastructure to which it relates, when used for the storage, conveyance or reticulation of water or sewage—(a) has substantially the same capacity, andas those specified in the application for the declaration.(b) serves substantially the same geographical locations,
37 Revocation of binding non-coverage declaration
The Minister may revoke a binding non-coverage declaration—(a) if the service provider for the service to which the declaration relates requests the Minister to revoke the declaration, or(b) if the application for the declaration contained false or misleading information or failed to contain information that it was required to contain.
Division 5 Access undertakings
38 Access undertakings
(1) A service provider may give IPART an access undertaking with respect to any one or more of its infrastructure services (whether or not it has begun providing them and whether or not they are the subject of coverage declarations).(2) An access undertaking is to be in the form of a document that sets out the service provider’s arrangements for the provision of access to its infrastructure services.(3) Those arrangements must provide for any disputes concerning the provision of access to its infrastructure services to be referred to IPART for resolution in accordance with section 40.(4) An access undertaking does not have effect until it has been approved by IPART.(5) On receiving an application for approval of an access undertaking, IPART must invite public submissions on the application.(6) In deciding whether to approve a service provider’s access undertaking, IPART must have regard to the following—(a) the legitimate business interests of the service provider,(b) the public interest, including the public interest in having competition in markets,(c) the interests of prospective access seekers,(d) any other matters that IPART considers relevant.Note—See also section 41 in relation to the application of pricing principles and section 92 in relation to IPART’s guidelines as to the exercise of its functions under this section.(7) An access undertaking has effect for the period specified in the undertaking in that regard, and may only be varied during that period with the consent of IPART.(8) A service provider must keep its access undertakings available for inspection by members of the public, free of charge, during normal office hours.(9) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (8) if copies of the access undertakings are made available to the public on the service provider’s internet website.(10) Copies of an access undertaking are to be made available to members of the public, at cost, during normal office hours.
Division 6 Access agreements and access determinations
39 Access agreements
(1) The terms on which a service provider is to provide access to an infrastructure service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking are to be set out—(a) in an agreement between the service provider and the access seeker, or(b) if no such agreement can be reached, in an access determination.(2) A provision of an access agreement is void to the extent to which it purports—(a) to prohibit a service provider from providing a service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking to any person, whether or not the person is a party to the agreement, or(b) to prohibit a service provider from providing a service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking to some persons on more advantageous terms than those on which it provides the same service to other persons, or(c) to prohibit or restrict any person from giving information to IPART or the Minister pursuant to any requirement under this or any other Act, or from creating documents for the purpose of recording information for that purpose.
40 Access determinations
(1) If a dispute exists between a service provider and an access seeker—(a) as to the terms on which the access seeker is to be given access (or an increase in access) to a service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking, or(b) as to any matter arising under an access agreement that provides for a dispute as to that matter to be dealt with in accordance with this section, oreither party to the dispute may apply to IPART for the dispute to be determined by arbitration.(c) as to any matter arising under a determination under this section,Note—Pursuant to section 24B of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 (as applied by subsection (5)), the arbitrator for such a dispute may be IPART or some other person appointed by IPART to arbitrate the dispute.(2) IPART may refuse to accept such an application if it is not satisfied that the applicant has, in good faith, attempted to resolve the dispute by negotiation.(3) At any time after commencement of proceedings on an application under this section, the arbitrator may require the service provider to cause notice of the proceedings to be given to all other persons to which the service provider provides access to the service concerned.(4) Subject to this section and the regulations, the Commercial Arbitration Act 2010 applies to an arbitration under this section, and to any determination arising from an arbitration under this section, as if a reference in that Act to an award were a reference to a determination under this section.(5) Sections 24B–24E of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 apply to an arbitration under this section in the same way as they apply to an arbitration under section 24A of that Act, and so apply as if—(a) a reference in those sections to a government agency were a reference to a service provider, andexcept that section 15 of that Act does not apply in relation to any determination arising from an arbitration under this section.(b) section 24B (2) and (3) (b) and (c) of that Act were omitted,(6) In considering the terms of a proposed determination, the arbitrator must have regard to such matters as are prescribed by the regulations.Note—See also section 41 in relation to the application of pricing principles.(7) Before making a determination, the arbitrator—(a) must cause copies of the proposed determination to be given to each of the parties to the dispute, and(b) must give each of the parties an opportunity to make submissions to the arbitrator in relation to the proposed determination.(8) Subject to subsection (9), the arbitrator must use his or her best endeavours to determine the dispute within 6 months after the application for the dispute to be determined was made to IPART.(9) If the access seeker seeks access in relation to any activity for which it would require, but does not yet hold, a licence under Part 2—(a) the arbitrator may adjourn proceedings for such time as the arbitrator considers reasonable for the purpose of enabling the access seeker to obtain such a licence, and(b) if the access seeker fails to obtain such a licence within that time, may make a determination refusing the access sought.(10) In making a determination under this section—(a) the arbitrator must give effect to any access undertaking to which the service concerned is subject, and(b) the arbitrator must not include in the determination any provision that requires a service provider to do, or not to do, anything that would put it in breach of its obligations under any existing access determination or under this or any other Act or law.(11) On making a determination under this section, the arbitrator must cause a notice of the making of the determination (which notice must include a summary of the determination) to be given to IPART.(12) On receiving such a notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.s 40: Am 2010 No 61, Sch 2.21 [1].
Division 7 Administration of access regime
41 Pricing principles
(1) For the purposes of this Part—(a) IPART must have regard to the pricing principles when deciding whether or not to approve an access undertaking for an infrastructure service, and(b) an arbitrator must have regard to the pricing principles when determining a dispute in relation to the pricing of access to an infrastructure service the subject of a coverage declaration.(2) For the purposes of this section, the pricing principles in relation to any infrastructure service are as follows—(a) the price of access should generate expected revenue for the service that is at least sufficient to meet the efficient costs of providing access to the service, and include a return on investment commensurate with the regulatory and commercial risks involved,(b) the price of access should allow multi-part pricing and price discrimination when it aids efficiency,(c) the price of access should not allow a vertically integrated service provider to set terms and conditions that discriminate in favour of its downstream operations, except to the extent to which the cost of providing access to other operators is higher,(d) the price of access should provide incentives to reduce costs or otherwise improve productivity.(3) These principles must be implemented in a manner that is consistent with any relevant pricing determinations for the supply of water and the provision of sewerage services, including (where applicable) the maintenance of “postage stamp pricing” (that is, a system of pricing in which the same kinds of customers within the same area of operations are charged the same price for the same service).
42 Service providers to have approved cost allocation manuals
(1) Within 3 months after an infrastructure service becomes the subject of a coverage declaration, the service provider—(a) must keep separate accounts for such of its infrastructure services as are the subject of the declaration, and(b) must submit a cost allocation manual to IPART in relation to that infrastructure.(2) A cost allocation manual must be in the form of a document that, in accordance with any rules under subsection (3), sets out the basis on which the service provider proposes to establish and maintain accounts for those of its infrastructure services as are the subject of a coverage declaration.(3) The Minister may from time to time, by order published in the Gazette, establish rules for the preparation of cost allocation manuals.(4) IPART may approve a service provider’s cost allocation manual as submitted, or may require the service provider to amend it and resubmit it for approval.(5) On and from the expiry of 3 months from the date on which IPART approves a service provider’s cost allocation manual in relation to infrastructure services the subject of a coverage declaration, the service provider must ensure that costs are allocated between each of those services, and between those services and its other activities, in accordance with the manual.(6) A cost allocation manual may only be varied with the consent of IPART.(7) A service provider must keep its cost allocation manual available for inspection by members of the public, free of charge, during normal office hours.(8) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (7) if a copy of the cost allocation manual is made available to the public on the service provider’s internet website.(9) Copies of the cost allocation manual are to be made available to members of the public, at cost, during normal office hours.(10) A service provider must not fail to comply with the requirements of this section.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—100 penalty units.s 42: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[5].
43 Hindering access to certain services
(1) The provider or a user of a service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking, or a body corporate related to the provider or a user of the service, must not engage in conduct for the purpose of preventing or hindering any other person from obtaining or exercising rights of access to the service.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—100 penalty units.(2) A person may be taken to have engaged in conduct for the purpose referred to in subsection (1) even though, after all the evidence has been considered, the existence of that purpose is ascertainable only by inference from the conduct of the person or from other relevant circumstances.(3) Subsection (2) does not limit the manner in which the purpose of a person may be established for the purposes of subsection (1).(4) In this section, a user of a service includes a person who has a right to use the service.s 43: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[6].
44 Register of infrastructure services
(1) IPART is to maintain a register of—(a) infrastructure services the subject of coverage declarations, and(b) infrastructure services the subject of binding non-coverage declarations, and(c) infrastructure services the subject of access undertakings.(2) The regulations may make provision with respect to the manner and form in which the register is to be kept and the nature of the information to be included in the register.(3) IPART must keep the register available for inspection by members of the public, free of charge, during normal office hours.(4) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (3) if a copy of the register is made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.(5) Copies of entries in the register are to be made available to members of the public, at cost, during normal office hours.
Part 4 Sewer mining
45 Application of Part
This Part applies to sewerage infrastructure whose service provider—(a) has lodged with IPART a notice—(i) that sets out the service provider’s policy as to whether, and on what terms, it will permit sewer miners to draw from the contents of the infrastructure, and(ii) that indicates that the service provider is willing to allow disputes as to its granting or refusal of such permission to be referred to IPART for arbitration, and(b) has not subsequently lodged with IPART any notice that indicates that the service provider is no longer willing to allow such disputes to be so referred.
46 Sewer mining determinations
(1) If a dispute exists between a service provider and a sewer miner—(a) as to the terms of any agreement under which the sewer miner is to be permitted to draw from the contents of the service provider’s sewerage infrastructure, or(b) as to any matter arising under an agreement referred to in paragraph (a) that provides for a dispute as to that matter to be dealt with in accordance with this section, oreither party to the dispute may apply to IPART for the dispute to be determined by arbitration.(c) as to any matter arising under a determination under this section,(2) The dispute may be dealt with by IPART or by such other person as IPART may nominate to arbitrate the dispute.(3) At any time after commencement of proceedings on an application under this section, the arbitrator may require the service provider to cause notice of the proceedings to be given to other persons permitted to draw from the contents of the service provider’s sewerage infrastructure.(4) Subject to this section and the regulations, the Commercial Arbitration Act 2010 applies to an arbitration under this section, and to any determination arising from an arbitration under this section, as if a reference in that Act to an award were a reference to a determination under this section.(5) In considering the terms of a proposed determination, the arbitrator—(a) must give effect to the service provider’s policy with respect to the granting of permission to draw from the contents of its sewerage infrastructure, and(b) subject to paragraph (a), must have regard to such matters as are prescribed by the regulations.(6) Before making a determination, the arbitrator—(a) must cause copies of the proposed determination to be given to each of the parties to the dispute, and(b) must give each of the parties an opportunity to make submissions to the arbitrator in relation to the proposed determination.(7) The arbitrator must use his or her best endeavours to determine the dispute within 6 months after the application for the dispute to be determined is made to IPART.(8) On making a determination under this section, the arbitrator must cause a notice of the determination (which notice must include a summary of the determination) to be given to IPART.(9) On receiving such a notice, IPART must cause the information contained in the notice to be made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.s 46: Am 2010 No 61, Sch 2.21 [2].
Part 5 Operation of water industry market
pt 5, hdg: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[7].
Division 1AA Small retail customer contracts for regulated schemes
pt 5, div 1AA: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AA Definitions
In this Division—contract charge means a fee or charge payable by a customer under a contract with a licensed operator or licensed retailer for water or sewerage services.lease means a lease, licence, permit or other agreement under which a person (the lessor) parts with possession of premises to another (the lessee).regulated scheme licence means—(a) an operator licence under which the licensee operates infrastructure that connects a regulated scheme to a customer’s premises, or(b) a retailer licence.standard contract charges of a licensed operator or licensed retailer means the contract charges of the licensee referred to in section 46AC.s 46AA: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AB Deemed customer contracts for regulated schemes
(1) A small retail customer who is the owner of premises to which water or sewerage services are provided by means of a regulated scheme is taken to have entered into a contract for the services with the following persons on the terms and conditions set out in the regulations and for the standard contract charges of the licensee (the deemed customer contract)—(a) the registered operator of the infrastructure that connects the scheme to the premises, and(b) the registered retailer for that infrastructure.(2) However, a deemed customer contract is not taken to have been entered into if the connection of the premises to the scheme is an unauthorised connection.(3) A connection is an if it was not authorised by the registered operator of the infrastructure at or before the time of connection.(4) The registered operator of infrastructure may subsequently approve a connection that was unauthorised at the time of connection and the connection then ceases to be an unauthorised connection.(5) A deemed customer contract is not taken to have been entered into to the extent that it would conflict with an order in force under section 83.(6) The regulations may make provision for or about the following—(a) requiring the registered operator of infrastructure that connects a scheme to premises to notify the registered retailer for the infrastructure when the premises are connected to the scheme,(b) exempting a registered operator or registered retailer, or a class of registered operators or registered retailers, conditionally or unconditionally, from the operation of this section,(c) enabling IPART to modify or exclude the application of the deemed customer contract for a registered operator or registered retailer, or a class of registered operators or registered retailers, generally or in specified circumstances,(d) fees for making applications for exemptions from the operation of this section.s 46AB: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AC Standard contract charges for regulated schemes
(1) It is a condition of a regulated scheme licence that the licensee must, for each regulated scheme for which the licensee provides services under the licence—(a) publish on its website—(i) the contract charges payable for the services during the current financial year and the subsequent 3 financial years, and(ii) the rebates, refunds, discounts or similar payments available to customers, or classes of customers, for the services during the current financial year, and(iii) if the contract charges are to be varied—the date from which the charges as varied become payable, and(b) give IPART written notice of the contract charges, and of a variation of the contract charges and reason for the variation, and(c) only charge customers the contract charges, and(d) only pay a rebate, refund, discount or similar payment to a customer in accordance with—(i) the deemed customer contract taken to have been entered into under section 46AB, or(ii) a publication made under paragraph (a)(ii).(2) The publication of information under subsection (1)(a) must be made in a way that is—(a) conspicuous to customers, and(b) specified by the regulations, if any.(3) It is a condition of a regulated scheme licence that the licensee must give each customer at least 3 months written notice, or a shorter period of notice approved by IPART on application, of an increase in a contract charge payable by the customer.(4) For a licensed retailer, it is a condition of the licence that the notice must be sent with, or included in, an account or invoice for a service provided under the licence.(5) No amount of an increase in a contract charge may be recovered by the licensee from a customer if notice of the increase has not been given to the customer as required by this section.(6) Notice of an increase in a contract charge payable for a service by a customer is not required under this section if—(a) the increase does not exceed a maximum increase prescribed by the regulations, by reference to a consumer price index or other method, or(b) the increase is in accordance with a determination under Division 2, or(c) the licensee has complied with a regulated price parity arrangement for the increase.(7) A regulated price parity arrangement for an increase in a contract charge payable for a service is an arrangement under which the licensee—(a) has a policy of maintaining price parity with the pricing of a comparable service of a public water utility whose services are the subject of a determination of pricing by IPART, and(b) within 28 days of IPART commencing an investigation for the purposes of a determination of the pricing for a comparable service of the public water utility, notifies the customer—(i) the investigation has commenced, and(ii) the contract charge payable for the service by the customer will not exceed the maximum price determined by IPART or in accordance with the methodology determined by IPART for that comparable service.s 46AC: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AD Certificates as to amounts due under customer contract
(1) It is a condition of a regulated scheme licence that the licensee must, on application and payment of the fee fixed by the licensee and approved by IPART, issue the applicant a certificate—(a) containing particulars of the contract charges payable to the licensee for water or sewerage services provided to specified premises as at a specified date, or(b) to the effect that there are no contract charges payable.(2) An application for a certificate must—(a) be written, and(b) specify the name and address of the applicant, and(c) identify the premises to which the application relates.(3) A certificate of a licensee is conclusive proof, in favour of a purchaser in good faith and for value of the premises to which the certificate relates, that, at the date specified in the certificate, no contract charges were payable to the licensee for water or sewerage services provided to the premises other than the amounts specified in the certificate.s 46AD: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AE New owner liable for unpaid charges under customer contract on change of ownership of premises
On a change of ownership of premises to which water or sewerage services are provided by means of a regulated scheme, the new owner of the premises is liable for the amount of unpaid contract charges, if any, for the services owed to a licensed operator or licensed retailer as if the new owner had entered into the contract under which the charges are owed.s 46AE: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
46AF Lessee may pay and recover charges under customer contract
If water or sewerage services are provided to premises by means of a regulated scheme and a lease of the premises provides, expressly or impliedly, that the lessor of the premises is to pay contract charges to a licensed operator or licensed retailer, the lessee may pay to the licensed operator or licensed retailer the charges that are due but unpaid by the lessor and may—(a) recover the amount paid from the lessor as a debt due to the lessee, or(b) deduct the amount paid from the rent, licence fee or other occupation fee payable by the lessee to the lessor.s 46AF: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[8].
Division 1 Resolution of disputes
pt 5, div 1, hdg: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [10].
46A Definition
In this Division—entitled person means any of the following—(a) an owner or occupier of land affected by the exercise (or proposed exercise) of a function under Division 2 of Part 6,(b) any other person of a class prescribed by the regulations.s 46A: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [11].
47 Internal review of certain decisions disputed by small retail customers
(1) A small retail customer may apply to a licensed operator or licensed retailer for a review of the following—(a) a matter arising under a contract for water or sewerage services provided to the customer,(b) the exercise or proposed exercise of powers under Part 6, Division 2 by or on behalf of the licensed operator,(c) other matters prescribed by the regulations.(2) The regulations—(a) may establish the procedures for making an application and for dealing with an application, and(b) may impose conditions on licences relating to the provision and implementation of procedures for dealing with an application, and(c) may treat a failure to make a decision within a specified period as a decision of a particular kind.(3) An application is to be made and dealt with free of charge to the applicant.s 47: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[9] [10].
48 Review of decisions under approved ombudsman scheme
(1) A small retail customer and any entitled person may apply to the ombudsman for review of a decision in a dispute or complaint to which the scheme relates.(2) Except as provided by the scheme or by the regulations, a person does not have a right of review under this section in respect of a decision for which a review may be sought under section 47 unless the decision has been the subject of review under that section.(3) A review under this section is to be free of charge to small retail customers and to entitled persons.(4) This section does not limit or otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Civil and Administrative Tribunal.(5) The ombudsman may decline to deal with a matter if it has been, is being or should be dealt with by another person or tribunal or there are, in the ombudsman’s opinion, not sufficient grounds for further investigation.(6) Without limiting subsection (5), the ombudsman may deal with a matter by making arrangements for it to be referred to another person or tribunal.s 48: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [12] [13]; 2013 No 95, Sch 4.45.
49 Approved ombudsman scheme
(1) The Minister may approve an ombudsman scheme for the purposes of this Act, being a scheme that provides for the appointment of an ombudsman to deal with—(a) disputes and complaints under contracts for water or sewerage services provided to small retail customers, and(a1) (Repealed)(b) disputes and complaints concerning the exercise, or proposed exercise, of functions under Part 6, Division 2, and(c) other disputes and complaints of a class prescribed by the regulations, whether or not under contracts for water supply or sewerage services referred to in paragraph (a).(2) Before approving such a scheme, the Minister must be satisfied that the scheme meets the following objectives—(a) that all registered retailers and registered operators that are required to be members of the scheme are members of the scheme, have agreed to be bound by decisions of the ombudsman under the scheme and, as members, are so bound,(b) that the scheme has satisfactory arrangements in place to deal with all disputes and complaints referred to in subsection (1),(c) that the ombudsman will be able to operate independently of all registered retailers and registered operators in exercising functions under the scheme,(d) that the scheme will be accessible to small retail customers and entitled persons,(e) that membership of the scheme will be accessible to all potential members and will provide appropriate representation for all members in relation to the scheme’s governing body,(f) that, without limiting any other application of the scheme, the scheme will apply to all disputes and complaints arising under contracts for water supply or sewerage services,(g) that the scheme will operate expeditiously and without cost to small retail customers and to entitled persons,(h) that the scheme will allow small retail customers to choose whether or not they wish to be bound by determinations under the scheme,(i) that the scheme will satisfy best practice benchmarks for schemes of a similar kind, both in terms of its constitution and procedure and in terms of its day to day operations,(j) that the scheme will provide for a monetary limit on claims covered by the scheme of an amount or amounts approved by the Minister,(k) that the scheme will maintain the capacity of the ombudsman, where appropriate, to refer disputes or complaints to other forums,(l) that the scheme will require the ombudsman to inform the Minister of substantial breaches of this Act or the regulations, or the conditions of a licence, of which the ombudsman becomes aware,(m) such other objectives as are prescribed by the regulations.(3) A scheme may treat a failure to make a decision within a specified period as a decision of a particular kind.(4) The Minister may at any time revoke an approval under this section.(5) If the regulations prescribe a dispute or complaint involving a person other than a registered retailer or registered operator as a dispute or complaint to which an approved scheme may apply, the regulations may make it an offence for the person to fail to comply with a decision of the ombudsman under the scheme.(6) Notice of any approval given by the Minister under this section, and of the revocation of any such approval, is to be published in the Gazette.(7) Subject to this section, the same scheme may be approved for the purposes of both this Act and any other Act or law.s 49: Am 2007 No 82, Sch 2.24; 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [14]–[18]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[11]–[14].
50 Licence conditions relating to approved ombudsman scheme
(1) It is a condition of a retailer’s licence under which a licensed retailer provides water or sewerage services to small retail customers that—(a) the licensed retailer must be a member of an approved ombudsman scheme, and(b) the licensed retailer is bound by, and must comply with, any decision of the ombudsman under the scheme relating to a dispute or complaint involving the licensed retailer and a small retail customer.(2) If an operator licence is a regulated scheme licence within the meaning of Division 1AA, it is a condition of the operator licence that—(a) the licensed operator must be a member of an approved ombudsman scheme, and(b) the operator is bound by, and must comply with, a decision of the ombudsman under the scheme relating to a dispute or complaint involving the operator and a small retail customer or entitled person.s 50: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [19] [20]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[15]–[17].
50A Obligations of insolvency official
If an insolvency official has been appointed for a licensed operator or licensed retailer, or the whole or a part of the property of a licensed operator or licensed retailer, the following provisions apply—(a) a dispute or complaint about the licensee may, or may continue to, be dealt with under this Act,(b) the insolvency official must facilitate the resolution of the complaint or dispute,(c) the insolvency official is bound by this Act as if the insolvency official were the licensee.s 50A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[18].
Division 2 Monopoly services and suppliers
pt 5, div 2: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
50B Definitions
In this Division—monopoly service means a water or sewerage service declared to be a monopoly service under this Division.monopoly supplier means—(a) a licensed operator that operates infrastructure by means of which a monopoly service is provided, or(b) a licensed retailer that sells a monopoly service to a customer.s 50B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
51 Declaration of monopoly services
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare that a specified water or sewerage service provided or to be provided by means of a scheme is a monopoly service.(2) The declaration may be limited to apply in relation to—(a) a specified area, or(b) a specified class of customers, or(c) both.(3) The declaration may only be made in relation to a service if the Minister is satisfied it is a service—(a) for which there are no other suppliers to provide competition in the part of the market concerned, and(b) for which there is no contestable market by potential suppliers in the short term in that part of the market.(4) The declaration must be revoked if the Minister ceases to be satisfied as to the matter referred to in subsection (3)(a).s 51: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
52 Pricing determinations for monopoly services
(1) IPART may, on a referral by the Minister, investigate, report on and determine a pricing methodology for a monopoly service, or a class of monopoly services, including a pricing methodology for connection charges relating to a monopoly service.(2) Without limiting subsection (1)—(a) a pricing methodology determined by IPART may—(i) apply generally or be limited in its application by reference to specified exceptions or factors, or(ii) apply differently according to different factors of a specified kind, and(b) IPART may determine a pricing methodology for a monopoly service despite a previous determination under this section already applying to that service.Example—A pricing methodology may apply differently to different classes of services based on location, the service provided and the infrastructure concerned.(3) Subject to the regulations, the provisions of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992, Part 3 in relation to government monopoly services apply to and for a matter referred to IPART under this section in the same way as they apply to and for a matter referred to IPART under that Act, section 12.(4) Without limiting the kinds of regulations that may be made under subsection (3), the regulations may deal with the processes that IPART must use in investigating and determining a pricing methodology.(5) It is a condition of a monopoly supplier’s licence that the monopoly supplier must comply with a relevant determination by IPART under this section.(6) In this section, connection charge means a fee or amount charged to connect premises to a water or sewerage service, and includes an infrastructure charge, developer charge or administration charge related to connecting premises to a service.s 52: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
53 Obligations of monopoly suppliers
(1) It is a condition of a monopoly supplier’s licence that the supplier must connect premises within the area to which the monopoly service declaration under this Division applies and supply the monopoly service to the premises, if the owner of the premises requests the supplier to do so.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may impose further conditions on a monopoly supplier’s licence relating to the connection and supply of the monopoly service to premises within the area to which the monopoly service declaration under this Division applies.(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a licensee until—(a) an operational approval has been granted that enables the monopoly supplier to supply the monopoly service to the premises concerned, and(b) the owner of the premises concerned has complied with the conditions set out in the regulations, if any, or the reasonable conditions specified by the licensee to ensure the safe, reliable and financially viable supply of the monopoly service, if any.(4) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to premises if—(a) the premises have been disconnected from the scheme providing the monopoly service by order of a court or in accordance with a customer contract referred to in section 46AB, or(b) the requested service is part of a coupled service, being a service that the licensee cannot provide on a scheme-wide basis without providing another service, and the owner of the premises refuses to accept the coupled service, orExample—Recycled water and sewerage services may be coupled if it is necessary to provide recycled water produced from the treatment of sewage to provide the sewerage service.(c) other circumstances, if any, prescribed by the regulations exist.s 53: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
Division 3
(Repealed)
pt 5, div 3: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19].
Part 5A Last resort arrangements
pt 5A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Division 1 Essential infrastructure and services
pt 5A, div 1: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
54 Meaning of “essential infrastructure”
(1) IPART may, by written notice to the registered operator of a scheme, determine that the scheme is essential infrastructure under this Act if satisfied—(a) a failure in the provision of a water or sewerage service provided by, or proposed to be provided by, means of the scheme would have an adverse effect on customers of the service, and(b) either—(i) alternative arrangements for the provision of a replacement service would not be, and could not readily be made to be, reasonably available, or(ii) it is reasonably necessary for customers of the service to be automatically transferred to the provider of a replacement service if there is a failure in the provision of the service.(2) Despite subsection (1), IPART may not determine that a scheme is essential infrastructure under this Act if a council—(a) is the registered operator of the scheme, or(b) owns all the water industry infrastructure comprising the scheme, other than reticulation pipelines.s 54: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19]. Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
54A Revocation of determination of essential infrastructure
(1) IPART may, on application by an essential service provider or last resort provider or on its own initiative, revoke the determination of water industry infrastructure as essential infrastructure if satisfied the determination would not now be made.(2) On receiving an application for revocation of a determination, IPART must invite submissions on the application from each provider or last resort provider of the essential service, other than the applicant.(3) An invitation to make submissions on an application must allow at least 28 days for submissions to be made and must be accompanied by a copy of the application or set out how a copy of the application may be obtained.(4) If IPART proposes to refuse an application or to revoke the determination on its own initiative, IPART must—(a) give written notice of the proposed refusal to each provider or last resort provider of the essential service specifying the reasons for it, and(b) allow them at least 14 days to make submissions to IPART about the proposed refusal.(5) On making a decision on an application or revoking a determination on its own initiative, IPART must ensure notice of the decision is given to the Minister and each provider or last resort provider of the essential service and publish the decision on IPART’s website.(6) If IPART revokes the determination, the designation of a last resort provider for the former essential infrastructure is of no further effect.s 54A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Division 2 Last resort providers and contingency planning
pt 5A, div 2: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
55 Designation of last resort providers of essential service
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, designate a public water utility or licensee as a last resort provider to take the place of a provider of an essential service if the provider of the essential service is declared to have failed.Note—The declaration of a failure is made under section 56.(2) IPART is to investigate and make a recommendation to the Minister as to the person to be designated as the last resort provider.(3) The person recommended by IPART is to be—(a) a public water utility in whose area of operations the essential infrastructure is located, or(b) a licensee who has expressed interest and who satisfies the criteria prescribed by the regulations for appointment as a last resort provider, if any.(4) Expressions of interest from licensees to be designated as a last resort provider are to be sought in the cases in which IPART determines it to be appropriate or if the Minister so directs in a particular case.(5) If a recommendation is to be made following an application for a scheme approval, IPART need not commence the necessary investigation until works for the essential infrastructure have substantially commenced under the scheme approval.(6) The Minister—(a) must, unless the urgency of the circumstances precludes it, consider IPART’s recommendations, but is not bound to accept them, and(b) may seek further advice from IPART on the designation of last resort providers.(7) Without limiting the terms of a designation of a last resort provider, a public water utility may be designated as the last resort provider of all essential services provided within its area of operations if a provider of an essential service is declared to have failed.(8) If the person to be designated as a last resort provider is not a person recommended by IPART following the seeking of expressions of interest from licensees, the Minister must, before designating the person, unless the urgency of the circumstances precludes it—(a) give written notice of the proposed designation to—(i) the provider of the essential service for which the last resort provider is to be designated, and(ii) the person proposed to be designated as the last resort provider, and(iii) the other providers, if any, or last resort provider of the essential service, and(b) allow them at least 14 days within which to make submissions to the Minister about the proposed designation.(9) If the person designated as a last resort provider is a licensee, IPART—(a) must, as part of its review of the licensee’s licence under section 85(2), investigate and make a recommendation to the Minister regarding the continuation of that designation, and(b) may investigate and make a recommendation to the Minister regarding the continuation of that designation after a statutory default by the licensee or a related corporation of the licensee.(10) The regulations may provide for additional matters relating to the designation of last resort providers.s 55: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19]. Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
55A Contingency planning by last resort providers
(1) The regulations may make provision for and about the continued provision of the essential service if there is a declared failure.(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may deal with the following—(a) the preparation and testing of a plan for that continued provision of service (a contingency plan), including providing that a specified person must—(i) submit, within a specified period, a contingency plan to IPART, and(ii) review and resubmit, at intervals determined by IPART, the contingency plan for the approval of IPART, and(iii) conduct exercises to test the operation of the approved contingency plan as referred to in the plan or as required by IPART,(b) the content of contingency plans,(c) the approval of contingency plans by IPART,(d) the implementation of contingency plans, including—(i) processes for the transfer of customers to the last resort provider if there is a declared failure and the ways transferred customers are to be notified of the transfer, and(ii) arrangements under which staff of the essential service provider assist the last resort provider to provide the essential service during a declared failure.(e) the appointment of technical experts to prepare or test contingency plans,(f) last resort readiness testing,(g) the payment by the essential services provider of the reasonable costs of other persons, including, for example, the last resort provider or a technical expert, in connection with contingency planning and last resort readiness.(3) The following persons must, on written request given to the person by IPART or a person specified by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection, including, for example, a technical expert specified by the regulations, assist in the preparation and review of a contingency plan and the conduct of required exercises to test the operation of the contingency plan or a last resort readiness assessment—(a) the owner of the essential infrastructure,(b) an essential service provider,(c) the last resort provider.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 55A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Division 3 Last resort events
pt 5A, div 3: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56 Declaration of failure of essential service provider
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare an essential service provider has failed if no other arrangement is in place for the continued provision of the service under this Act and the Minister is satisfied—(a) the essential service provider has ceased or is about to cease providing an essential service, or(b) an insolvency official has been appointed for the essential service provider or the whole or part of the property of the essential service provider, or(c) an order has been made for the winding-up of the essential service provider or a resolution has been passed for the winding-up of the essential service provider, or(d) other criteria specified in the regulations, if any, have been met.(2) The order must specify the following—(a) the scheme affected by the failure,(b) the reason for the declaration,(c) the essential service provider who is declared to have failed (the failed licensee),(d) the last resort provider who is to replace the failed licensee for the provision of the essential service,(e) the date, or the way of fixing the date, that is to be the transfer date of the failure, which must not be a date before the date of publication of the order.(3) A single order may relate to more than one essential service and, if it does, this Division applies separately to each essential service to which the order relates.(4) The Minister must ensure a copy of the order is given to—(a) the failed licensee, and(b) the last resort provider, and(c) other providers or last resort providers of the essential service.(5) The Minister must ensure the order is made available on IPART’s website.s 56: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19]. Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56A Effect of declaration of failure
(1) On the transfer date of a declared failure, despite the other provisions of this Act—(a) the licence of the failed licensee, if then in force, becomes subject to a condition prohibiting the licensee from providing the essential service under the licence, and(b) if the last resort provider is a public water utility—the utility is taken to have been assigned the function of providing the essential service previously provided by the failed licensee.(2) If the last resort provider is a public water utility, the utility is, for the duration of a declared failure, to be regarded as the licensed operator or licensed retailer, as the case requires, of the essential service for the purposes of this Act and bound by the relevant licence and approval conditions imposed under this Act or the regulations, other than conditions specified by IPART by written notice given to the last resort provider.(3) The Minister may, on application by a last resort provider that is a public water utility, exempt the last resort provider from specified licence and approval conditions referred to in subsection (2).(4) An agreement between the failed licensee and a person other than the last resort provider, whether entered into before or after the declaration of a failure, is of no effect to the extent that it provides for a person other than the last resort provider to be, at any time during a declared failure—(a) if the last resort provider operates the essential infrastructure—the registered operator of the essential infrastructure, or(b) if the last resort provider sells the essential service—the registered retailer of the essential service.s 56A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56B Provision of essential service by last resort provider
(1) The last resort provider must, for the duration of a declared failure, provide the essential service and, for that purpose, may have access to infrastructure and customer data systems and other property as reasonably required.(2) During a declared failure, the failed licensee and last resort provider or other providers of the essential service must—(a) facilitate the provision of the essential service by the last resort provider, and(b) take action as required by the approved contingency plan or the regulations, and(c) comply with reasonable directions given by the last resort provider in providing the essential service.(3) To avoid doubt—(a) the failed licensee must enable the last resort provider to access customer information, including personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and health information under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002, in connection with the provision of the essential service, and(b) the provision of the essential service includes exercising a right of the licensee under an easement or right of way relating to the essential service as if the last resort provider were the failed licensee.(4) A person must not obstruct the last resort provider’s access to property, or the provision of the essential service by the last resort provider, during a declared failure.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 56B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56C Relationship between last resort provider and regulated scheme customers during failure
(1) This section applies to a last resort provider that, following the declaration of a failure—(a) operates essential infrastructure that connects a regulated scheme to a customer’s premises, or(b) is a retailer of the essential service.(2) On the transfer date of a declared failure, each person who was a customer of the failed licensee for the essential service immediately before the transfer date ceases to be a customer of the failed licensee and becomes a customer of the last resort provider of the essential service (a transferred customer).(3) Rights and obligations that have accrued under a contract between the failed licensee and a transferred customer before the transfer date are not affected and no early termination charge becomes payable.(4) Part 5, Division 1AA applies to transferred and new customers of a last resort provider, subject to the following modifications—(a) a reference to terms and conditions set out in the regulations is to be read as a reference to the last resort contract conditions,(b) a reference to standard contract charges is to be read as a reference to the last resort contract charges,(c) the last resort contract charges may not be increased as referred to in that Division.(5) This section applies to a last resort provider that is a public water utility despite the provisions of the utility’s Act and despite the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992.(6) In this section—last resort contract charges means a transfer fee not exceeding an amount determined by the Minister on the recommendation of IPART, and the standard contract charges within the meaning of Part 5, Division 1AA of the failed licensee.Note—For certain public water utilities, the standard contract charges of the utility are subject to a maximum price determined by IPART, which may be varied from time to time.last resort contract conditions means—(a) the terms and conditions that would have applied if the service were provided by the failed licensee, or(b) if, for a last resort provider that is a public water utility, the contingency plan identifies terms and conditions as standard contract conditions of the utility—the standard contract conditions of the utility as identified in the contingency plan.s 56C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56D Relationship between last resort provider and others during failure
(1) On and from the transfer date of a declared failure, the last resort provider is to be taken to be a party, in substitution for the failed licensee, to the agreement necessary for the provision of the essential service between the failed licensee and another licensee or a public water utility, as in force immediately before the transfer date, subject to the regulations and modifications agreed between the parties, if any.(2) If the last resort provider proposes a modification to an agreement referred to in this section on the basis that the modification is reasonably necessary for the efficient provision of the essential service by the provider, including a modification relating to a payment to be made by the provider, the other party to the agreement must not unreasonably withhold agreement to the modification.(3) A dispute between the last resort provider and another person as to the application of subsection (1) or (2) is subject to arbitration under the Commercial Arbitration Act 2010.s 56D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56E Immunity from liability for last resort providers
(1) A last resort provider assumes no financial or other liability of a failed licensee that accrued before the transfer date.(2) A last resort provider is not liable for loss, damage or injury arising from the following, except to the extent to which the loss, damage or injury arises as a consequence of the negligence of the last resort provider—(a) an act or omission of the failed licensee, or(b) the condition of the essential infrastructure.s 56E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56F Cost recovery scheme
(1) If a declared failure occurs, the Minister may, on the application of the last resort provider and subject to the regulations—(a) direct IPART to assess the reasonable costs and expenses of the last resort provider, as known or reasonably able to be estimated at the date of the application, arising from—(i) dealing with or remedying an act or omission of the failed licensee or the condition of the essential infrastructure, or(ii) providing the essential service as a last resort provider, and(b) provide, by order published in the Gazette, for a cost recovery scheme as set out in this section or as otherwise prescribed by the regulations.(2) More than one application may be made under this section and a cost recovery scheme may be provided for progressively during and after the declared failure.(3) Subject to the regulations, a cost recovery scheme may provide as follows—(a) for the recovery of the whole or a part of the amount assessed from the failed licensee or a related corporation of the failed licensee,(b) in circumstances in which it is unlikely the whole of the amount assessed is able to be recovered from the failed licensee or a related corporation of the failed licensee—(i) for the recovery of outstanding amounts through an industry contribution scheme, or(ii) with the consent of the Treasurer, for the payment of outstanding amounts from the Consolidated Fund.(4) If a cost recovery scheme provides for the recovery of an amount from a person, the amount may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt owed to the Crown according to the terms of the scheme.(5) If a cost recovery scheme provides for an industry contribution scheme, the following provisions apply, subject to the regulations—(a) the scheme may provide for the Minister to require, as the Minister considers just and reasonable in the circumstances, contributions to be made to IPART, for payment to the last resort provider, by licensees, the owner of the essential infrastructure or a public water utility,(b) the Minister must—(i) give written notice of the proposed scheme to each proposed contributor specifying how the contributors have been selected and the amount of the contributions calculated, and(ii) allow the proposed contributors at least 28 days within which to make submissions to the Minister about the proposed scheme,(c) contributions are to be imposed by written notice to the contributor,(d) if IPART determines a maximum price for a water or sewerage service provided by a public water utility required to make a contribution—the requirement to make the contribution is to be treated for the purposes of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992, section 16A as a requirement with which the utility must comply in providing the service.(6) If a cost recovery scheme provides for the payment of an amount from the Consolidated Fund, the Consolidated Fund is appropriated to the extent necessary to pay the amount concerned and the amount paid from the Consolidated Fund may be recovered from the failed licensee or a related corporation of the failed licensee by the Minister as a debt for payment into the Consolidated Fund.(7) In this section—last resort contract charges has the same meaning as in section 56C.s 56F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
56G Obligations and rights of insolvency official
(1) If an insolvency official has been appointed for an essential service provider or owner of the essential infrastructure, or the whole or part of the property of the essential service provider or owner, the following provisions apply—(a) the insolvency official must take all reasonable steps to facilitate compliance with the conditions of the operational approval for the essential infrastructure and continuity of the provision of the essential service,(b) a document required to be given to the provider or owner under this Division must also be given to the insolvency official,(c) an invitation to make submissions extended to the provider or owner under this Division must also be extended to the insolvency official,(d) the requirements imposed under this Division on the provider or owner are, subject to necessary modifications, also imposed on the insolvency official, and, in particular, during a declared failure, the insolvency official must—(i) facilitate the provision of the essential service by the last resort provider, and(ii) take action as required by the approved contingency plan or the regulations, and(iii) comply with reasonable directions given by the last resort provider in providing the essential service,(e) the insolvency official must comply with directions of the Minister designed to ensure compliance with the obligations of the insolvency official under paragraph (a) or (d).(2) An insolvency official to whom directions are given under this section incurs no liability for loss, damage or injury arising out of compliance with the directions except to the extent to which the loss, damage or injury arises as a consequence of the negligence of the insolvency official.s 56G: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Division 4 Review of failure and resolution
pt 5A, div 4: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57 Review of failure by IPART
(1) IPART must, at least once in each 6 months, review a declared failure with a view to making recommendations to the Minister about how the failure may be resolved as quickly as possible.(2) In conducting a review, IPART must invite submissions from—(a) the last resort provider, and(b) the failed licensee, and(c) the last resort provider or other providers of the essential service.(3) The Minister must consider, but is not bound to accept, IPART’s recommendations and may seek further advice from IPART on the resolution of the failure.s 57: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[19]. Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57A Resolution of failure by acquisition by public water utility
(1) If the Minister is satisfied a declared failure should be resolved by a public water utility providing a water or sewerage service under the utility’s Act to replace the provision of the essential service under this Act on a permanent basis, the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare that this section applies to the declared failure.(2) If this section is declared to apply—(a) the statutory power of the utility to acquire land by negotiation or compulsorily, if any, is to be read as extending to a power to acquire essential infrastructure and land for the purposes of the declaration, and(b) the statutory power to acquire land and the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 are to be read subject to the modification that a reference to land includes a reference to essential infrastructure and subject to other modifications prescribed by the regulations.s 57A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57B Declaration of end of failure
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare the end of the failure if—(a) arrangements are in place for the essential service subject to a declared failure to be provided by another licensee in place of the last resort provider, or(b) the essential service subject to a declared failure is no longer to be provided under this Act, or(c) the Minister is satisfied the failure has otherwise been resolved or is about to otherwise be resolved.(2) The order must specify the following—(a) the essential service for which the failure is at an end,(b) if the service is to continue to be provided under this Act—(i) the last resort provider who is to be replaced, and(ii) the licensee who is to replace the last resort provider (the new licensee),(c) if the service is to be replaced by a service provided under a public water utility’s Act—the replacement service and the public water utility that is to provide it,(d) the date, or the way of fixing the date, that is to be the end date of the failure, which must not be a date before the date of publication of the order.(3) A single order may relate to more than one essential service and, if it does, this Division applies separately to each essential service to which the order relates.(4) The end date must not be earlier than 6 months after the transfer date unless the last resort provider consents to an earlier end date.(5) In fixing the end date, the Minister must consider the extent to which the last resort provider has been able, or is expected to be able, to recover its costs and expenses from the failed licensee, the registered operator of the operational approval for the essential infrastructure, customers of the essential service or otherwise.(6) The Minister must ensure that a copy of the declaration is given to—(a) the registered operator of the operational approval for the essential infrastructure, and(b) the last resort provider, and(c) the new licensee, and(d) the failed licensee, and(e) the last resort provider or other providers of the essential service.(7) The Minister must ensure the order is made available on IPART’s website.s 57B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57C Effect of end of failure
(1) On the end date of a declared failure—(a) if the last resort provider is a public water utility—the utility ceases to have the function of providing the essential service under this Act, and(b) if the last resort provider is a licensee—the licensee is taken to have notified IPART that the licensee has ceased to provide the essential service as required under Part 2, Division 4, and(c) if the essential service is to continue to be provided under this Act in circumstances in which section 56C applied to the last resort provider—(i) each person who was a customer of the last resort provider for the essential service immediately before the end date ceases to be a customer of the last resort provider and becomes a customer of the new licensee for the essential service, and(ii) the contract for the essential service taken to have been entered into with the last resort provider under Part 5, Division 1AA (the deemed contract) as modified by this Division ceases and is taken to have been entered into with the new licensee under Part 5, Division 1AA, and(iii) the modifications of the deemed contract expressly agreed between the last resort provider and a customer, if any, continue to apply as if they had been agreed under Part 5, Division 1AA between the new licensee and the customer, subject to further modification by express agreement under that Division, and(d) if the essential service is to be replaced by a service provided under a public water utility’s Act and section 56C applied to the last resort provider—(i) each person who was a customer of the last resort provider for the essential service immediately before the end date ceases to be a customer of the last resort provider under this Act and becomes a customer of the public water utility for the replacement service under the utility’s Act, and(ii) the contract for the service taken to have been entered into under Part 5, Division 1AA (the deemed contract) as modified by this Division ceases and is instead taken to have been entered into under the public water utility’s Act, and(iii) the modifications of the deemed contract expressly agreed between the last resort provider and a customer, if any, continue to apply as if they had been agreed under the public water utility’s Act, subject to further modification by express agreement under that Act.(2) Rights and obligations accrued under a contract between the last resort provider and a customer before the end date are not affected and no early termination charge becomes payable.(3) The last resort provider, the registered operator of the essential infrastructure and other provider, if any, or last resort provider of the essential service must—(a) facilitate the provision of the essential service by the new licensee or the provision of the service to replace the essential service by a public water utility, and(b) take action as required by the approved contingency plan or the regulations.s 57C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Division 5 General
pt 5A, div 5: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57D Applications
(1) An application under this Part—(a) must be made in the way approved by the Minister, and(b) must comply with requirements set out in the regulations, and(c) must be accompanied by the fee determined by the Minister, and(d) must be lodged at the office of IPART.(2) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice to an applicant, require the applicant—(a) to give the Minister or IPART additional information reasonably required to decide the application, or(b) to have information in the application or additional information verified in a specified way.s 57D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57E Confidentiality requirement
A last resort provider or new licensee must not use or disclose confidential or commercially sensitive information obtained under this Division other than for the purpose for which it is given unless—(a) the use or disclosure is authorised by the person to whom the information belongs, or(b) the last resort provider or new licensee is required by law to disclose the information.s 57E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
57F Enforcement
(1) A public water utility is under a statutory duty to comply with requirements imposed on it under this Part.(2) It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must comply with requirements imposed on it under this Part.(3) It is a condition of an operational approval that the registered operator must comply with requirements imposed on it under this Part.s 57F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[20].
Part 6 Work relating to water industry infrastructure
Division 1AA Preliminary
pt 6, div 1AA: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[22].
58 Definition
In this Part—of a registered operator means a person appointed by the registered operator under section 65F.s 58 (as originally enacted): Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21]. Renumbered as sec 58A, 2021 No 26, Sch 1[23].s 58: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[22].
Division 1 Powers and duties relating to water industry infrastructure generally
pt 6, div 1, hdg: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [22].
58A Erection and placement of water industry infrastructure
(1) This section applies to work connected with the construction, maintenance or removal of water industry infrastructure that forms part of a scheme in or under a public road or public reserve.(2) For the purposes of this Act, a registered operator may carry out work to which this section applies.(3) No such work (other than routine connections, repairs or maintenance work) may be carried out unless the registered operator—(a) has given the local council or roads authority notice of the proposal to carry out the work, and(b) has given the local council or roads authority a reasonable opportunity (being at least 40 days from the date on which the notice was given) to make submissions to the registered operator in relation to the proposal, and(c) has given consideration to any such submissions.(3A) The local council or roads authority may require the registered operator to comply with conditions in exercising its powers under this section, including conditions about the location of the infrastructure, the timing of work and the restoration of the area concerned.(3B) If a public road or public reserve is damaged by a malfunction of infrastructure of the registered operator, the local council or roads authority may require the registered operator to make good the damage without delay.(3C) If the registered operator fails to comply with a condition under subsection (3A) or a requirement under subsection (3B), the person affected by the failure may remedy it and recover the cost of doing so as a debt owed to the person by the registered operator.(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to the carrying out of any such work to cope with emergencies.(5) Work to which this section applies is exempt from the requirement for an approval under the Local Government Act 1993.(6) Section 138 of the Roads Act 1993 does not apply to or in respect of anything done, or to be done, pursuant to this section.s 58A (previously s 58): Renumbered 2021 No 26, Sch 1[23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[24] [25].
59 Damage to public roads and public reserves to be made good
(1) If a public road or public reserve is damaged—(a) by a leakage from, or a bursting of, a registered operator’s water industry infrastructure, orthe local council or roads authority may require the registered operator to make good the damage without delay.(b) by any work carried out by a registered operator,(2) If the registered operator fails to carry out appropriate work in accordance with any such requirement, the local council or roads authority may carry out the work itself.(3) The cost of carrying out the work may be recovered by the local council or roads authority in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt owed to it by the registered operator.s 59: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21].
60 Interference with water industry infrastructure by trees
(1) If a registered operator has reasonable cause to believe that a tree is destroying, damaging or interfering with the registered operator’s water industry infrastructure, the registered operator may, by written notice, require the owner of the land on which the tree is situated, within a reasonable period specified in the notice, to remove the tree, including all roots of the tree that are or may be destroying, damaging or interfering with that infrastructure.(2) The registered operator must reimburse the owner for the reasonable expenses of any action taken by the owner under this section unless the registered operator establishes that—(a) after the water industry infrastructure was first constructed, an owner or occupier planted the tree, or caused or permitted the tree to be planted, in, on or near the infrastructure in circumstances in which the owner or occupier should have known that destruction of, damage to or interference with the infrastructure would result, or(b) the water industry infrastructure is located, within the land on which the tree has been planted, on land that was the subject of an easement in favour of the registered operator (or a predecessor of the registered operator) or an easement for water or sewerage service purposes when the tree was planted.(3) An owner given notice under this section may, with the consent of the registered operator and without destroying, damaging or interfering with the registered operator’s water industry infrastructure, take steps, other than removal of the tree, to eliminate the cause of the destruction of, damage to or interference with that infrastructure and any reasonable expectation of the destruction, damage or interference occurring in the future.(4) No compensation is payable by the registered operator to a person for the expenses of taking steps under subsection (3).(5) If, in circumstances other than those referred to in subsection (3), an owner fails to comply with a notice under this section within the period specified in the notice or within any extension of that period allowed by the registered operator in writing, the registered operator may remove the tree at its own expense.(6) The registered operator may recover from an owner the cost of removing a tree under subsection (5), but only if the registered operator establishes—(a) that the tree was planted during the ownership of that owner, and(b) that—(i) an owner or occupier should have known that the planting of the tree would result in the destruction of, damage to or interference with the water industry infrastructure concerned, or(ii) the tree was planted on land that was then the subject of an easement in favour of the registered operator (or a predecessor of the registered operator) or an easement for water or sewerage service purposes.(7) This section applies despite the existence of any tree preservation order or environmental planning instrument, but does not apply to any tree that is the subject of or is within an area that is the subject of—(a) an interim heritage order, or a listing on the State Heritage Register, under the Heritage Act 1977, or(b) an order in force under section 136 of the Heritage Act 1977, or(c) an interim protection order under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, or(d) a protection conferred by any similar law.(8) Nothing done by an owner of land in compliance with a notice under this section, or by a registered operator under subsection (5), constitutes an offence against any law under which a tree preservation order or environmental planning instrument relating to the land is made.(9) In this section, tree includes shrub or other plant.s 60: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21].
61 Obstruction of water mains and sewer mains
(1) This section applies if a registered operator has reasonable cause to believe that any of its water mains or sewer mains could be damaged, destroyed or adversely affected by any nearby structure or thing that, since the water mains or sewer mains were laid, has been erected or installed on a public road or public reserve.(2) In those circumstances, the registered operator—(a) may serve a written notice on the person having control of the structure or thing requiring that person to modify or remove it, or(b) in an emergency, may, at its own expense, modify or remove the structure or thing itself.(3) A notice served on a person under subsection (2) (a)—(a) must specify the work to be carried out, and(b) must specify a reasonable time within which the work is to be carried out.(4) If the person fails to carry out the work in accordance with the notice, the registered operator may carry out the work itself.(5) The cost of—(a) carrying out the work referred to in the notice, andmay be recovered by the registered operator in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt owed to it by the person.(b) repairing any damage done to the water main or sewer main by the structure or thing,(6) A registered operator may apply for an injunction to prevent a structure or thing being placed in, on or near any of its water mains or sewer mains.(7) A registered operator may take action under this section even if the person having control of the structure or thing owns or occupies the land in, on or over which the water main or sewer main is situated.(8) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (7)—(a) the registered operator is liable to the owner of the structure or thing for any loss or damage suffered by the owner as a consequence of the work referred to in subsection (4), andunless the existence, in its present position, of the structure or thing concerned contravenes the terms of any easement, agreement or other authority that supports the presence of the water main or sewer main in, on or over the land.(b) the costs referred to in subsection (5) are not recoverable under that subsection,s 61: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21].
62 Altering position of conduits
(1) A registered operator may serve a written notice on a person if—(a) the registered operator needs an alteration to be made in the position of a conduit owned by the person, and(b) the alteration would not permanently damage the conduit or adversely affect its operation.(2) The notice—(a) must specify the work to be carried out, and(b) must specify a reasonable time within which the work is to be carried out, and(c) must include an undertaking by the registered operator to pay the reasonable cost of carrying out the work.(3) If the work is not carried out as required by the notice, the registered operator may carry out the work in a manner that does not permanently damage the conduit or adversely affect its operation.(4) In this section, conduit means anything that is in or under a public road or public reserve (or any other land on which no building or other structure is located) and is used for the conveyance of a substance, energy or signals.s 62: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21].
63 Charges for placement of water industry infrastructure
No annual or other periodic or special charge is payable by a registered operator to a local council or roads authority in respect of any water industry infrastructure located in a public reserve or public road or in respect of the space in a public reserve or public road that is occupied by any such infrastructure.s 63: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21].
64 Ownership of water industry infrastructure
(1) Except where another Act expressly provides otherwise, water industry infrastructure is owned by the person that constructs or installs it, or on whose behalf it is constructed or installed, or any person that subsequently acquires title to it, whether or not the land in, on, under or over which it is situated is owned by that person.Note—Examples of provisions of other Acts that expressly provide for the ownership of water industry infrastructure by certain public water utilities include the following—(a) section 19 of the Hunter Water Act 1991,(b) section 37 of the Sydney Water Act 1994,(c) section 29 of the Water NSW Act 2014.(2) (Repealed)(3) The provisions of this section have effect despite anything contained in section 42 of the Real Property Act 1900.s 64: Am 2009 No 17, Sch 3.21; 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [21]; 2014 No 74, Sch 3.42 [1]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[26] [27].
65 Meter readers
(1) A registered operator or registered retailer may appoint any of its employees or agents as a meter reader.(2) Each meter reader so appointed must be issued with an identity certificate containing the following—(a) the name of the meter reader,(b) the name of the registered operator or registered retailer,(c) a passport-style photograph of the meter reader’s face,(d) a statement to the effect that, pursuant to this Act, the meter reader is authorised to read meters on behalf of the registered operator or registered retailer.(3) A meter reader so appointed may, during normal business hours, enter any premises for the purpose of reading a meter that measures—(a) water supplied from water mains that are controlled by the registered operator or by means of which the registered retailer supplies water to those premises, or(b) sewage discharged into sewer mains that are controlled by the registered operator or by means of which the registered retailer provides sewerage services to those premises.(4) On request by any person who appears to be in occupation of the premises, a meter reader so appointed must produce his or her identity certificate for inspection.Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.(5) This section does not authorise a meter reader to enter such part of a building as is being used for residential purposes except with the consent of the occupier.s 65: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[21] [28] [29].
Division 2 Powers of entry of registered operators
pt 6, div 2, hdg: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[30].
pt 6, div 2: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23].
65A (Repealed)
s 65A: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[31].
65B Entry of land
(1) A registered operator may, by any of its authorised agents, enter any land in accordance with this Division for any one or more of the following purposes—(a) to carry out an inspection or maintenance work on any of its water industry infrastructure,(b) to carry out necessary repair work on any of its water industry infrastructure,(b1) to carry out work to remove or replace part of its water industry infrastructure,(c) to carry out emergency work on any of its water industry infrastructure,(d) to carry out an inspection of, or repair or maintenance work on, a customer’s infrastructure, but only if there are reasonable grounds to believe the customer’s infrastructure is having or will have a negative impact on the registered operator’s capacity to operate its water industry infrastructure in a way that protects public health and safety and the environment.(2) Except in emergencies, a power of entry may be exercised only during daylight hours.s 65B: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[32]–[34].
65C Notice of entry
(1) Before an authorised agent of a registered operator exercises a power of entry under this Division, the registered operator concerned must give the occupier (or, if there is no occupier, the owner) of the land written notice of the intention to enter the land.(2) The notice must specify the day on which the authorised agent intends to enter the land and must be given at least 2 days before that day.(3) This section does not require notice to be given—(a) if entry to the land is made with the consent of the occupier (or, if there is no occupier, the owner) of the land, or(b) if entry is required urgently and the case is one in which the registered operator has authorised in writing (either generally or in the particular case) entry without notice, or(c) if the giving of notice would defeat the purpose for which the power is to be exercised.s 65C: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[35] [36].
65D Use of force
(1) Reasonable force may be used for the purpose of gaining entry to any land (other than such part of a building as is being used for residential purposes) under a power conferred by this Division, but only if authorised by the registered operator concerned in accordance with this section.(2) The authority—(a) must be in writing, and(b) must be given in respect of the particular entry concerned, and(c) must specify the circumstances that must exist before force may be used.s 65D: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[37].
65E Compensation
(1) A registered operator, in exercising its functions under this Division, is to do as little damage as practicable and is, subject to this Division, to compensate all persons who suffer damage by the exercise of the functions.(2) Compensation may be made by reinstatement, repair, construction of works or payment.s 65E: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[38].
65F Certificates of authority to enter land
(1) A registered operator may appoint a person to be an authorised agent of the registered operator for the purposes of exercising powers under this Division by issuing the person with a certificate of authority.(2) A power of entry under this Division may not be exercised by an authorised agent unless the authorised agent—(a) is in possession of a certificate of authority issued by the registered operator concerned, and(b) produces the certificate when required to do so by the owner or occupier of the land.(3) The certificate of authority—(a) must state that it is issued under this Act, and(b) must give the name of the person to whom it is issued, and(c) must describe the nature of the powers conferred and the source of those powers, and(d) must state the date (if any) on which it expires, and(e) must describe the kind of land to which the power extends, and(e1) must specify the area of operations, or part of an area of operations, to which the power extends, and(f) must—(i) be under the seal of the registered operator concerned, or(ii) bear the signature of the principal officer of the registered operator concerned or of any other officer of that registered operator (or an officer belonging to a class of officers of that registered operator) prescribed by the regulations.(4) The Minister may, by written notice given to a registered operator, do any or both of the following—(a) impose conditions or restrictions on certificates of authority issued under this section by the registered operator, either generally or in particular cases, including restrictions on the purposes for which and the circumstances in which a power of entry may be exercised,(b) issue guidelines to be observed by the registered operator concerning the issue of certificates of authority under this section.s 65F: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[39]–[43].
65G Entry to residential premises
A power of entry conferred by this Division is not exercisable in relation to such part of a building as is used for residential purposes except—(a) with the consent of the occupier (or, if there is no occupier, the owner) of that part of the building, or(b) under the authority conferred by a warrant of entry.s 65G: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23].
65H Warrants of entry
(1) A registered operator may apply to an authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 if it is of the opinion that it is necessary for an authorised agent of the registered operator to enter any land (including any building used for residential purposes) for the purposes of this Division.(2) An authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 to whom such an application is made may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a warrant of entry authorising an authorised agent of the registered operator named in the warrant to enter the land for the purposes of this Division.(3) Division 4 of Part 5 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 applies to a warrant of entry under this section in the same way as it applies to a search warrant under that Act.s 65H: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[44] [45].
65I Other powers of entry unaffected
This Division does not apply to any power of entry that a registered operator has apart from this Division (including under any contract, lease or easement).s 65I: Ins 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [23]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[46].
Part 7 Offences
Division 1 Offences
66A On-selling drinking water services
(1) A person, other than a public water utility, must not on-sell a drinking water service to another person, unless—(a) the person also supplies a sewerage service to the other person, and(b) both services are the subject of a single contract between the person and the other person.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.(2) In this section, on-sell a drinking water service means to sell a drinking water service where the drinking water—(a) is obtained from a public water utility, and(b) is provided using water industry infrastructure.s 66A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[47].
66 Exposure of underground pipes
A person must not, by opening any ground, expose water industry infrastructure that forms part of a scheme—(a) without lawful excuse, or(b) without having given the registered operator of the scheme at least 2 days’ written notice of intention to open the ground.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—200 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—35 penalty units.s 66: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[48]–[50].
67 Interference with water industry infrastructure
A person must not interfere with water industry infrastructure that forms part of a scheme unless authorised to do so by the registered operator of the scheme.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 67: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[48] [49] [51].
68 Interference with meters
A person must not alter or otherwise interfere with a meter that is connected to a water main or sewer main that forms part of a scheme, or to any seal attached to such a meter, unless authorised to do so by the registered operator of the scheme.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 68: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[49] [51] [52].
69 Unauthorised connections
A person must not connect any pipe or fitting to a water main or sewer main that forms part of a scheme unless authorised to do so by the registered operator of the scheme.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 69: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[49] [51] [52].
70 Unauthorised increase in capacity of connections
A person must not increase the capacity of an existing connection to a water main or sewer main that forms part of a scheme unless authorised to do so by the registered operator of the scheme.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 70: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[49] [51] [52].
71 Offence to discharge into drains and sewers
(1) A person must not, directly or indirectly, discharge a substance into a stormwater drain or sewer main that forms part of a scheme except—(a) with the written permission of the registered operator of the scheme or, if the stormwater drain or sewer main is part of a regulated scheme, the registered retailer of the sewerage service, or(b) under a contract or arrangement with the registered operator of the scheme or, if the stormwater drain or sewer main is part of a regulated scheme, the registered retailer of the sewerage service.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.(2) In this section, a contract with a registered operator of a scheme includes a deemed customer contract.s 71: Am 2012 No 97, Sch 1.45 [2]. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[53].
72 Unauthorised use of water
(1) A person must not take, waste, divert, consume or use water conveyed by water industry infrastructure that forms part of a scheme except—(a) with the written permission of the registered operator of the scheme or, if the stormwater drain or sewer main is part of a regulated scheme, the registered retailer of the sewerage service, or(b) under a contract or arrangement with the registered operator of the scheme or, if the stormwater drain or sewer main is part of a regulated scheme, the registered retailer of the sewerage service.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.(2) In this section, a contract with a registered operator of a scheme includes a deemed customer contract.s 72: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[53].
73 Unlicensed plumbing and drainage work
(1) A person must not do any kind of plumbing or drainage work on infrastructure that is connected or is intended to be connected, whether directly or indirectly, to a water main or sewer main that forms part of a scheme, unless the person—(a) holds an endorsed contractor licence or a supervisor certificate in force under the Home Building Act 1989 authorising the holder to do that kind of work, or(b) does the work under the immediate supervision of the holder of a licence or certificate referred to in paragraph (a), or(c) holds a tradesperson certificate in force under the Home Building Act 1989 authorising the holder to do that work under supervision and does that work under the general supervision of the holder of a licence or certificate referred to in paragraph (a).Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.(2) The regulations may make provision for or about plumbing work or drainage work, including the standards for and supervision of plumbing work or drainage work and the grant of permission by a registered operator for the performance of plumbing work or drainage work.(3) If any standard or other requirement with respect to such work is inconsistent with any requirement imposed by the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 or the regulations under that Act with respect to the work, that Act and any regulations under that Act prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.Note—The Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011 sets out the standards and other requirements for work that is plumbing and drainage work within the meaning of that Act.s 73: Am 2011 No 59, Sch 2.14; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[54].
73A Actions that prevent continuing operation of water industry infrastructure
(1) An owner of water industry infrastructure to which Part 2 applies, or an owner of premises on which that water industry infrastructure is located, must not take action to prevent the continuing operation of the infrastructure, including action to prevent a registered operator or last resort provider accessing or operating the infrastructure.Maximum penalty—18,000 penalty units.(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to prevent the substitution of a registered operator under section 89C.s 73A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[55].
73B Obstruction of auditor or technical expert
A person must not obstruct or hinder an auditor or technical expert in the exercise of the auditor or technical expert’s functions under this Act or the regulations.Maximum penalty—(a) 22,500 penalty units for a corporation, or(b) 5,000 penalty units for an individual.s 73B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[55].
73C Provision of false or misleading information to auditor
(1) A person must not, in connection with an audit, provide information to an auditor that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular.Maximum penalty—(a) 22,500 penalty units for a corporation, or(b) 5,000 penalty units for an individual.(2) In this section—auditor includes an individual who is an identified individual for the conduct of audits by an auditor.s 73C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[55].
73D Provision of false or misleading information to Minister or IPART
A person must not, for the purposes of this Act, give to the following persons or bodies, whether orally or in writing, information or a document that the person knows to be false or misleading in a material particular, unless the person informs the person or body of that fact—(a) the Minister,(b) IPART,(c) an inspector.Maximum penalty—(a) 22,500 penalty units for a corporation, or(b) 5,000 penalty units for an individual.s 73D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[55].
73E Victimisation
A person must not take an action that detrimentally affects the employment of another person, or threaten to do so, because that other person has assisted IPART, the Minister, an auditor or inspector in the performance of auditing or regulatory functions or in an investigation under this Act.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 73E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[55].
Division 2
74–81 (Repealed)
pt 7, div 2: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 74: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 75: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 76: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 77: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 78: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 79: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 80: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
s 81: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[56].
Division 3 General
82 Penalty notices
(1) An authorised official may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the official that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.Note—The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.(4) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court).(5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.(6) In this section, means a person appointed in writing by IPART or the Minister as an authorised official for the purposes of this section.s 82: Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.82. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[57].
82A Provision of information, records and answering questions—self-incrimination
(1) A person is not guilty of an offence of failing to comply with a requirement under this Act to provide information or records or to answer a question unless the person was warned on the occasion that a failure to comply is an offence.(2) A person is not excused from a requirement under this Act to provide information or records or to answer a question on the ground that the record, information or answer might incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty.(3) However, information provided or answer given by a natural person in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings, except proceedings for an offence against section 73C or 73D, if—(a) the person objected at the time to doing so on the ground that it might incriminate the person, or(b) the person was not warned on that occasion that the person may object to providing the information or giving the answer on the ground that it might incriminate the person.(4) A record provided by a person in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not inadmissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings on the ground that the record might incriminate the person.(5) Further information obtained as a result of information or a record provided or of an answer given in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not inadmissible on the ground—(a) that the information or records had to be provided or the answer had to be given, or(b) that the information or record provided or answer given might incriminate the person.(6) This section extends to a requirement under this Act to state a person’s name and address.s 82A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[58].
82B Increase in penalties if operation of infrastructure causes harm to public health or safety
(1) The maximum penalty for an offence against this Act is increased as provided by this section if the prosecution proves—(a) the water industry infrastructure to which Part 2 applies was operated in contravention of a provision of this Act, and(b) the operation of the infrastructure involved an act or omission that caused, directly or indirectly, actual or potential harm to the health or safety of human beings, and(c) the act or omission was intentional or negligent.(2) The maximum penalty for the offence is increased—(a) for a corporation—to a penalty not exceeding 45,500 penalty units if the act or omission was intentional or 27,500 penalty units if the act or omission was negligent, or(b) for an individual—to a penalty not exceeding 9,000 penalty units if the act or omission was intentional or 5,500 penalty units if the act or omission was negligent.(3) A court must not impose a penalty for an offence on the basis of this section unless the process by which the proceedings are commenced specifies—(a) the factors mentioned in subsection (1) apply to the commission of the offence, and(b) whether the act or omission is alleged to have been intentional or negligent.s 82B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[58].
83 Court may order disconnection and discontinuance of water supply
(1) A court that finds a person guilty of an offence under section 66–72 may make either or both of the following orders—(a) an order that the premises to which the offence relates be disconnected from the water mains concerned,(b) an order that the supply of water to those premises be restricted or discontinued.(2) An order under this section has effect regardless of the provisions of any contract or other arrangement.s 83: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[59].
84 Court may order payment for stolen water
(1) A court that finds a person guilty of an offence under section 72 of unlawfully causing water to be taken, wasted, diverted, consumed or used may make an order directing the person to pay to the registered operator or registered retailer concerned such amount as the court considers appropriate for the water so taken, wasted, diverted, consumed or used.(2) Such an order—(a) may be made by a court on its own motion, or on the application of the registered operator or registered retailer, at any time within 6 months after the date of the finding, and(b) if made by the Local Court, may be enforced in the Local Court in its exercise of jurisdiction under Part 3 of the Local Court Act 2007.(3) Part 8 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 applies to and in respect of an order under this section that is made by the Local Court as if—(a) the order were a judgment of the Local Court in civil proceedings, and(b) the amount ordered to be paid were a judgment debt, and(c) the person against whom the order is made were a judgment debtor, and(d) the person in whose favour the order is made were a judgment creditor.(4) The remedy provided by this section is an alternative to any other remedy that may be available apart from this section.s 84: Am 2007 No 94, Schs 1.104, 2; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[60] [61].
Part 7A Enforcement
pt 7A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 7A, div 1: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84A Purposes for which functions may be exercised
Functions may be exercised under this Part only for 1 or more of the following purposes—(a) for determining whether there has been compliance with or a contravention of this Act or the regulations or an access undertaking, access agreement, licence, approval, notice or requirement under this Act or the regulations,(b) for obtaining information or records for purposes connected with the administration of this Act or the regulations,(c) generally for administering this Act or the regulations.s 84A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84B Appointment of inspectors
(1) The following may appoint inspectors, either for the purposes of this Act and the regulations generally or for the purposes of specified provisions of this Act or the regulations—(a) the Minister,(b) IPART.(2) The appointment of a person as an inspector can be made subject to conditions, including conditions that limit the circumstances in which and the offences for which the functions of the inspector can be exercised, and the functions of the person as an inspector are subject to the conditions.s 84B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
Division 2 Information and records
pt 7A, div 2: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84C Application of Division
This Division applies whether or not a power of entry under Division 3 is being or has been exercised.s 84C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84D Powers to require information and records
(1) The Minister may, by written notice given to a person, require the person to provide to the Minister the information or records, or both, that the Minister may require.(2) IPART may, by written notice given to a person, require the person to provide to IPART the information or records, or both, that IPART may require.(3) An inspector may, by written notice given to a person, require the person to provide to the inspector the information or records, or both, that the inspector may require.(4) A notice under this Division must specify the way in which information or records are required to be provided and a reasonable time by which the information or records are required to be provided.(5) A notice under this Division may only require a person to provide existing records that are in the person’s possession or that are within the person’s power to obtain lawfully.(6) The person to whom a record is provided under this Division may take copies of it.(7) If a record required to be provided under this Division is in electronic, mechanical or other form, the notice may require the record to be provided in written form.s 84D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84E Power to require answers to questions
(1) If an inspector suspects on reasonable grounds that a person knows of matters and the inspector reasonably requires information about the matters, the inspector may require the person to answer questions about the matters.(2) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice, require a corporation to nominate, in writing within the time specified in the notice, a director or officer of the corporation to be the corporation’s representative for the purpose of answering questions from an inspector appointed by the Minister or IPART, as the case requires, under this section.(3) Answers given by a person nominated under subsection (2) bind the corporation.(4) An inspector may, by written notice, require a person to attend at a specified place and time to answer questions under this section if attendance at that place is reasonably required to enable the questions to be properly put and answered.(5) The place and time at which a person may be required to attend under subsection (4) is to be—(a) a place or time nominated by the person, or(b) if the place and time nominated is not reasonable in the circumstances or a place and time is not nominated by the person, a place and time nominated by the inspector that is reasonable in the circumstances.(6) The inspector may, in the notice under subsection (4) or in a subsequent notice, authorise the person to answer the questions using an audio link or audio visual link of a kind approved by the inspector.(7) If the questions are to be answered by the person using an audio link or audio visual link—(a) the place at which the person is required to attend is taken to be a place having adequate facilities for the answering of questions in that way at the time nominated under subsection (5), and(b) the person must ensure the audio link or audio visual link is operated appropriately so the answers given to the questions are clear to the inspector.(8) In this section—audio link means technology that enables continuous and contemporaneous audio communication between persons at different places, including telephones.audio visual link means technology that enables continuous and contemporaneous audio and visual communication between persons at different places, including video conferencing.s 84E: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84F Recording of evidence
(1) An inspector may cause questions and answers to questions given under this Division to be recorded if the inspector has informed the person who is to be questioned that the record is to be made.(2) A record may be made using sound recording apparatus or audio visual apparatus, or another method determined by the inspector.(3) A copy of a record made under this section must be provided by the inspector to the person who is questioned as soon as practicable after it is made.(4) A record may be made under this section despite the provisions of another law.s 84F: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84G Power of inspector to demand name and address
(1) An inspector may require a person whom the inspector suspects on reasonable grounds to have committed, or to be committing, an offence against this Act or the regulations to state his or her full name and residential address.(2) An inspector may request a person who is required under this section to state his or her full name and residential address to provide proof of the name and address. It is not an offence to fail to comply with the request.(3) A person may, without another warrant than this Act be apprehended by the inspector and taken before a Magistrate or court officer to be dealt with according to law, if the person, after being required to do so under this section—(a) refuses to state his or her name or residential address, or(b) states a name or residential address that in the opinion of the inspector is false,(4) A Magistrate or court officer before whom a person is taken under this section may make a bail decision under the Bail Act 2013 about the person.(5) If the person has not been charged with an offence, the Bail Act 2013 applies as if the person were accused of an offence.(6) For the purpose of applying the Bail Act 2013, a court officer has the same functions as an authorised justice under that Act.(7) In this section—court officer means an authorised officer under the Criminal Procedure Act 1986.s 84G: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
Division 3 Entry and search of land
pt 7A, div 3: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84H Powers of inspector to enter land
(1) An inspector may enter land at a reasonable time.(2) A power to enter land conferred by this Act authorises entry by foot, by vehicle, vessel or aircraft or by another means.(3) Entry may be effected under this Act by an inspector with the aid of police officers as the inspector considers necessary and with the use of reasonable force.(4) Entry may be effected to land with the authority of a search warrant under this Division.s 84H: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84I Entry into residential land only with permission or warrant
This Division does not empower an inspector to enter a part of land used only for residential purposes without the permission of the occupier or the authority of a search warrant under this Division.s 84I: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84J Powers of inspector to do things on land
(1) An inspector may, on land lawfully entered, do anything that in the opinion of the inspector is necessary to be done for the purposes of this Part, including but not limited to the things specified in subsection (2).(2) An inspector may do 1 or more of the following—(a) examine and inspect works,(b) take and remove samples,(c) make examinations, inquiries and tests that the inspector considers necessary,(d) take photographs, films, audio, video and other recordings that the inspector considers necessary,(e) require records to be produced for inspection,(f) examine and inspect records,(g) copy records,(h) seize anything that the inspector has reasonable grounds for believing is connected with an offence against this Act or the regulations,(i) for the purposes of paragraph (h), direct the occupier of the land where the thing is seized to keep it on that land or at another place under the control of the occupier,(j) other things that the inspector is empowered to do under this Part.(3) The power to seize anything connected with an offence includes a power to seize—(a) a thing to which the commission of the offence relates, and(b) a thing that will afford evidence of the commission of the offence, and(c) a thing that was used for the purpose of committing the offence.(4) In this section, a reference to an offence includes a reference to an offence that there are reasonable grounds for believing has been committed.s 84J: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84K Search warrants
(1) An inspector may apply to an authorised officer for the issue of a search warrant if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that—(a) a provision of this Act or the regulations is being or has been contravened on land, or(b) there is, on land, matter or a thing that is connected with an offence under this Act or the regulations.(2) An authorised officer to whom an application is made may, if satisfied there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a search warrant authorising an inspector named in the warrant—(a) to enter the land, including premises or part of premises used for residential purposes, and(b) to exercise a function of an inspector under this Division.(3) The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002, Part 5, Division 4 applies to a search warrant issued under this section.(4) In this section—means an authorised officer within the meaning of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.matter or a thing connected with an offence means—(a) a matter or a thing to which the commission of the offence relates, or(b) a matter or a thing that will afford evidence of the commission of an offence, or(c) a matter or a thing that was used, or is intended to be used, for the purpose of committing the offence.offence includes an offence that there are reasonable grounds for believing has been, or is to be, committed.s 84K: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84L Inspector may request assistance
A person may accompany an inspector and take all reasonable steps to assist an inspector in the exercise of the inspector’s functions under this Division if the inspector is of the opinion that the person is capable of providing assistance to the inspector in the exercise of the functions.s 84L: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84M Assistance to be given to inspector
(1) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice given to the owner or occupier of land, require the owner or occupier to provide the reasonable assistance and facilities specified in the notice within a specified time and in a specified way for the purpose of enabling an inspector appointed by the Minister or IPART, as the case requires, to exercise the functions of an inspector under this Division in connection with the land.(2) The regulations may prescribe the kinds of assistance and facilities that can be required under this section but the assistance and facilities that can be required under this section are not limited by the regulations.s 84M: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84N Care to be taken
In the exercise of a function of entering or searching land under this Division, an inspector must do as little damage as possible.s 84N: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84O Compensation
The Minister or IPART must compensate all interested parties for loss or damage caused by an inspector appointed by the Minister or IPART, as the case requires, in the exercise of a function under this Division, but not for loss or damage arising from the exercise of a function in the course of an inspection that reveals a contravention of this Act or the regulations by the person who suffers that loss or damage.s 84O: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
Division 4 General
pt 7A, div 4: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84P Identification
(1) Every inspector is to be provided with evidence of his or her authority as an inspector.(2) When exercising the functions of an inspector, the inspector must, if requested to do so by a person affected by the exercise of an inspector’s function, produce to the person the inspector’s evidence of authority.s 84P: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84Q Offences
(1) A person must not, without lawful excuse, neglect or fail to comply with a requirement made of the person under this Part.(2) A person must not threaten, hinder, obstruct or delay an inspector in the exercise of the inspector’s functions under this Part.(3) A person must not impersonate an inspector.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—22,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—5,000 penalty units.s 84Q: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
84R Revocation or variation
(1) A notice given under this Part may be revoked or varied by a subsequent notice or notices.(2) A notice may be varied by modification of, or addition to, its terms and specifications.(3) Without limiting the above, a notice may be varied by extending the time for complying with the notice.(4) A notice may only be revoked or varied by the person or body who gave it.s 84R: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[62].
Part 8 Functions of IPART
Division 1 Auditing functions
pt 8, div 1, hdg: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[63].
85 Compliance functions
(1) IPART’s functions under this Division are to monitor, including by way of audit, and to report to the Minister on the extent of, compliance by licensees with this Act, the regulations, approvals and licences and on the continued relevance and appropriateness of the arrangements for last resort providers.(2) Without limiting the way in which IPART carries out its functions, IPART is to conduct reviews of approvals and licences at intervals of not more than 5 years and at other times that the Minister may direct.(3) A report about a review under this section may include recommendations as to the variation or revocation of existing licences, including licence conditions, the imposition of new licence conditions or the variation or revocation of the arrangements for last resort providers.Note—Section 7G enables IPART to impose conditions on an approval or vary or revoke the conditions of the approval, other than conditions imposed by this Act or the regulations.s 85: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[64].
85A Compliance audits
(1) IPART may, at any time, require a compliance audit to be conducted.(2) It is a condition of each approval and licence that the registered operator and licensee, as applicable, (the audit target) must co-operate with and facilitate a compliance audit.(3) IPART is to give the audit target notice of the decision to require a compliance audit, unless the giving of notice would defeat the purpose of the audit.s 85A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[64].
86 Recovery of IPART’s costs
(1) Each licensee is required to pay to the Treasurer the cost (as certified by IPART) involved in and in connection with carrying out IPART’s functions under this Division in relation to the licensee and the schemes for which the licensee is registered.(2) Without limitation, an approval or licence may include terms and conditions relating to the determination of the cost of carrying out those functions.s 86: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[65] [66].
87 Power to direct registered operators and licensees to keep records and furnish information
(1) For the purposes of monitoring and reporting under this Division, IPART may, by notice in writing served on the registered operator of an approval or a licensee, require the registered operator or licensee—(a) to keep specified records, including any documents specified in the notice, and(b) to furnish specified information to IPART.(2) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with a notice under this section.Maximum penalty—(a) for a corporation—2,500 penalty units, or(b) for an individual—500 penalty units.s 87: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[67]–[69].
88 (Repealed)
s 88: Rep 2021 No 26, Sch 1[70].
89 Annual reports
(1) IPART must, on or before 31 October in each year, provide the Minister with a report on the performance of its functions under this Division during the preceding financial year, including—(a) details of the outcome of each audit conducted during the preceding financial year, and(b) the extent to which approval and licence conditions have been contravened during the preceding financial year.(2) The Minister must lay the report or cause it to be laid before both Houses of Parliament as soon as practicable after receiving the report.s 89: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[71].
Division 1A Register
pt 8, div 1A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[72].
89A Register of approvals and licences
IPART is to maintain a register of the following and make the register publicly available, free of charge, on IPART’s website—(a) schemes and associated approvals,(b) licences,(c) registered operators,(d) registered retailers.s 89A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[72].
89B Information on register
(1) For each scheme, the register is to include the following information—(a) a copy of the scheme approval and the date that it was granted or varied,(b) a map showing the location or proposed location of the water industry infrastructure to which the approval applies (the approved infrastructure) and the area of operations,(c) a copy of an operational approval that is in force for the approved infrastructure and the date the operational approval was granted,(d) contact details for the registered operator and registered retailer, if any, for the scheme,(e) a copy of a declaration under section 51 that applies to the scheme, if any,(f) whether or not the infrastructure is essential infrastructure,(g) a copy of a declaration under section 56 that affects water or sewerage services provided by means of the scheme, if any,(h) contact details for the designated last resort provider, if applicable,(i) for a scheme that is to be constructed in stages, a map showing the following—(i) the location or proposed location of the water industry infrastructure to be constructed in each stage,(ii) the part of the area of operations within which the water industry infrastructure is to be constructed in each stage,(iii) the infrastructure that is operational and that part of the area of operations that is currently being serviced,(j) whether there has been a determination of a pricing methodology under section 52 in relation to a water or sewerage service provided, or to be provided, by means of the scheme.(2) For each licence, the register is to include the following information—(a) a copy of the licence and the date that it was granted or varied,(b) contact details of the licensee,(c) details of disciplinary actions taken against the licensee,(d) if the licensee is required to be a member of an ombudsman scheme under Part 5, Division 1—details of the scheme.(3) For each licensee, the register is to include details of each scheme for which the licensee is the registered operator or registered retailer.(4) The register may include other information IPART considers appropriate.s 89B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[72].
89C Substitution of registered operator
(1) The holder of an operator licence may apply to IPART to be registered as the registered operator for a specified scheme in the place of another registered operator if the water industry infrastructure is of a class that is authorised to be operated under the licence.(2) IPART may grant or refuse the application.(3) In determining an application, IPART must have regard to the following—(a) the public interest,(b) whether disciplinary action against the licensee is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the licensee, the licensee is prohibited from being registered as the registered operator under a further scheme approval,(c) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Part 2, Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the application was made and the applicant, or a related corporation of the applicant, is the alleged defaulter,(d) whether the applicant, or a related corporation of the applicant, has failed to provide a service, or a connection to infrastructure, after granting a certificate of compliance relating to the service or infrastructure,(e) whether disciplinary action against the existing registered operator is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the existing registered operator, the existing registered operator is prohibited from being registered as the registered operator under a scheme approval,(f) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Part 2, Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the application was made and the existing registered operator, or a related corporation of the existing registered operator, is the alleged defaulter,(g) whether the existing registered operator, or a related corporation of the existing registered operator, has failed to provide a service, or a connection to infrastructure, after granting a certificate of compliance relating to the service or infrastructure.(4) Disciplinary action is pending from the time when notice is given to a person requiring the person to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against the person until—(a) disciplinary action is taken against the person, or(b) the decision is made that disciplinary action will not be taken against the person.(5) IPART must not grant an application under this section if the existing registered operator—(a) satisfies IPART that it owns all the water industry infrastructure comprising the scheme to which the scheme approval relates, other than reticulation pipelines, and(b) does not consent to the substitution.(6) IPART must not grant an application under this section if the scheme to which the scheme approval relates was constructed and in operation before the substitution of Part 2 by the Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2021.s 89C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[72].
89D Substitution of registered retailer
(1) The holder of a retailer licence may apply to IPART to be registered as the registered retailer for a specified scheme in the place of another registered retailer.(2) IPART may grant or refuse the application.(3) In determining an application, IPART must have regard to the following—(a) whether disciplinary action against the licensee is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the licensee, the licensee is prohibited from being registered as the registered retailer under a further operational approval,(b) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Part 2, Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the application was made and the applicant, or a related corporation of the applicant, is the alleged defaulter,(c) whether the applicant, or a related corporation of the applicant, has failed to provide a service, or a connection to infrastructure, after granting a certificate of compliance relating to the service or infrastructure,(d) whether disciplinary action against the existing registered retailer is pending or, as a result of disciplinary action against the existing registered retailer, the existing registered retailer is prohibited from being registered as the registered retailer under a scheme approval,(e) whether, in the reasonable suspicion of IPART, a statutory default within the meaning of Part 2, Division 6 has occurred within 2 years before the application was made and the existing registered retailer, or a related corporation of the existing registered retailer, is the alleged defaulter,(f) whether the existing registered retailer, or a related corporation of the existing registered retailer, has failed to provide a service, or a connection to infrastructure, after granting a certificate of compliance relating to the service or infrastructure.(4) Disciplinary action is pending from the time when notice is given to a person requiring the person to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against the person until—(a) disciplinary action is taken against the person, or(b) the decision is made that disciplinary action will not be taken against the person.(5) IPART must not grant an application under this section if the existing registered retailer—(a) satisfies IPART that it owns all the water industry infrastructure comprising the scheme to which the scheme approval relates, other than reticulation pipelines, and(b) does not consent to the substitution.(6) IPART must not grant an application under this section if the scheme to which the operational approval relates was constructed and in operation before the substitution of Part 2 by the Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2021.s 89D: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[72].
Division 2 Regulatory functions
90 Regulatory functions
(1) IPART’s regulatory functions under this Division are—(a) the functions conferred on it by Part 2, and(b) the functions conferred on it by Part 3, and(c) the functions conferred on it by section 46, and(d) the functions conferred on it by section 52, and(e) such of IPART’s other functions under this Act as are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this section.(2) Part 4B of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 applies in relation to IPART’s regulatory functions under this Act.
Division 3 Miscellaneous
91 Investigations by IPART
(1) IPART may conduct investigations for the purpose of enabling it to exercise its functions under this Act.(2) Subject to this section, and except to the extent to which the regulations otherwise provide, the provisions of Division 7 of Part 3 of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 apply to an investigation under this section in the same way as they apply to an investigation under that Act.(3) Section 21 (1) of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 does not apply so as to require IPART to hold any hearing for the purposes of an investigation under this section.
91A Advice to Minister
(1) IPART is to provide advice to the Minister on a matter concerning the operation or administration of this Act on which the Minister requests IPART’s advice.(2) IPART may request the Minister to refer a matter concerning the operation or administration of this Act to it for its advice.s 91A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[73].
92 IPART guidelines
(1) IPART may issue guidelines as to the manner in which it exercises its functions under this Act.(2) IPART must keep the guidelines available for inspection by members of the public, free of charge, during normal office hours.(3) It is sufficient compliance with subsection (2) if a copy of the guidelines is made available to the public on IPART’s internet website.(4) Copies of the guidelines are to be made available to members of the public, at cost, during normal office hours.
93 Exclusion of Part 3, Division 3, of Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992
Division 3 of Part 3 of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal Act 1992 does not apply to or in respect of a service provider’s infrastructure services.
93A Extension of application of Parts 6 and 7 to declared operators
(1) IPART may, by order published on IPART’s website, declare a person who is an owner or operator of water industry infrastructure to which Part 2 does not apply to be a declared operator in relation to that infrastructure (declared operator).(2) A declaration under this section must specify—(a) the name of the declared operator, and(b) the water industry infrastructure subject to the declaration, and(c) the provisions of Parts 6 and 7 that are to apply, with or without specified modification, to the declared operator as if the declared operator were the registered operator of a scheme.(3) IPART is to maintain a public register of declarations made under this section.(4) The provisions of Parts 6 and 7 specified in a declaration, with or without specified modification, apply to a declared operator as if the declared operator were a registered operator.s 93A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[74].
93B Time limit for determination of applications
(1) The Minister and IPART must use their best endeavours to determine applications under this Act as quickly as reasonably practicable.(2) If IPART has not advised an applicant under this Act of its decision on the application within the period fixed by the regulations for the application (the fixed period), the applicant may, after giving 14 days written notice to IPART, apply to the Minister for a direction to IPART requiring the decision to be made within a time fixed by the Minister.(3) In determining whether the fixed period has passed, a period between the date when, in accordance with this Act, the applicant is asked by the Minister or IPART to provide further information or to take other action to enable the application to be determined and the date when the information is provided or the action taken is to be disregarded.(4) The regulations may provide that other periods of time are not to be taken into consideration in determining whether the fixed period has passed.s 93B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[74].
Part 9 Miscellaneous
94 Delegation of functions
(1) The Minister may delegate a function of the Minister under this Act to a person or body, other than this power of delegation.(2) (Repealed)Note—See also section 49 of the Interpretation Act 1987 in relation to the delegation of functions.s 94: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[75] [76].
94A Disclosure of records and information
(1) The Minister and IPART may each disclose to the other records or information obtained in the execution or administration of this Act.(2) This section extends to authorise the disclosure of records or information despite an express or implied obligation not to disclose the records or information, whether or not the obligation arises under law.s 94A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[77].
94B Sharing of land ownership information
The Registrar-General may disclose information relating to land ownership to a registered operator, registered retailer or last resort provider in relation to premises within the area of operations of the registered operator, registered retailer or last resort provider for the following purposes—(a) communicating with an owner of premises in relation to the provision of a water or sewerage service by the registered operator, registered retailer or last resort provider,(b) a purpose prescribed by the regulations.s 94B: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[77].
95 Service of documents
(1) A document that is authorised or required by this Act or the regulations to be served on a person may be served by 1 or more of the following methods—(a) for an individual—by personal delivery to the person,(b) by post to the address specified by the person for the service of documents of that kind,(c) for an individual who has not specified an address—by post to the residential or business address of the person last known to the person serving the document,(d) for a corporation—by post to the registered office or another office of the corporation or by leaving it at the office with a person apparently over the age of 16 years,(e) by email to an email address specified by the person for the service of documents of that kind,(f) by another method authorised by the regulations for the service of documents of that kind.(2) Nothing in this section affects the operation of a provision of a law or of the rules of a court authorising a document to be served on a person or IPART by another method.(3) In this section, serve includes give or send.s 95: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[78].
95A Extraterritorial application
An order, direction or notice may be given under this Act to a person about a matter even though the person is outside the State or the matter occurs or is located outside the State, so long as the matter affects a matter to which this Act relates.s 95A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[78].
96 Personal liability
(1) A matter or thing done or omitted to be done by the following persons does not, if the matter or thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith for the purpose of exercising a function under this Act, subject the person to personal action, liability, claim or demand—(a) the Minister,(b) an inspector,(c) a person acting under the direction of the Minister or an inspector.(2) However, the liability attaches instead to the Crown.s 96: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[79].
96A Continuing offences
(1) If an offence against a provision of this Act is committed by a person by reason of a continuing act or omission—(a) the person is liable, in addition to the penalty otherwise applicable to the offence, to a penalty for each day during which the act or omission continues of not more than an amount equal to one-tenth of the maximum penalty prescribed for that offence, and(b) if the act or omission continues after the person is convicted of the offence, the person is guilty of a further offence against that provision and liable, in addition to the penalty otherwise applicable to the further offence, to a penalty for each day during which the act or omission continues after that conviction of not more than an amount equal to one-tenth of the maximum penalty prescribed for that offence.(2) An obligation to do something is to be regarded as continuing until the act is done despite the fact that a period within which, or time before which, the act is required to be done has expired or passed.(3) An omission is to be regarded as continuing for as long as the thing required to be done remains undone after the end of the period for compliance with the requirement.s 96A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[80].
97 Liability of directors and managers for offences by corporation—offences attracting executive liability
(1) For the purposes of this section, an executive liability offence is an offence against any of the following provisions of this Act that is committed by a corporation—(a) Part 2, Division 2,(b) section 7H(2),(c) section 7I(2),(d) section 8J,(e) section 10B(3).(2) A person commits an offence against this section if—(a) a corporation commits an executive liability offence, and(b) the person is—(i) a director of the corporation, or(ii) an individual who is involved in the management of the corporation and who is in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to the commission of the executive liability offence, and(c) the person—(i) knows or ought reasonably to know that the executive liability offence (or an offence of the same type) would be or is being committed, and(ii) fails to take all reasonable steps to prevent or stop the commission of that offence.Maximum penalty—The maximum penalty for the executive liability offence if committed by an individual.(3) The prosecution bears the legal burden of proving the elements of the offence against this section.(4) The offence against this section can only be prosecuted by a person who can bring a prosecution for the executive liability offence.(5) This section does not affect the liability of the corporation for the executive liability offence, and applies whether or not the corporation is prosecuted for, or convicted of, the executive liability offence.(6) This section does not affect the application of any other law relating to the criminal liability of any persons (whether or not directors or other managers of the corporation) who are accessories to the commission of the executive liability offence or are otherwise concerned in, or party to, the commission of the executive liability offence.(7) In this section—director has the same meaning it has in the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth.reasonable steps, in relation to the commission of an executive liability offence, includes, but is not limited to, such action (if any) of the following kinds as is reasonable in all the circumstances—(a) action towards—(i) assessing the corporation’s compliance with the provision creating the executive liability offence, and(ii) ensuring that the corporation arranged regular professional assessments of its compliance with the provision,(b) action towards ensuring that the corporation’s employees, agents and contractors are provided with information, training, instruction and supervision appropriate to them to enable them to comply with the provision creating the executive liability offence so far as the provision is relevant to them,(c) action towards ensuring that—(i) the plant, equipment and other resources, andrelevant to compliance with the provision creating the executive liability offence are appropriate in all the circumstances,(ii) the structures, work systems and other processes,(d) action towards creating and maintaining a corporate culture that does not direct, encourage, tolerate or lead to non-compliance with the provision creating the executive liability offence.s 97: Subst 2012 No 97, Sch 1.45 [3]. Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[81] [82].
97A Liability of directors etc for offences by corporation—accessory to the commission of the offences
(1) For the purposes of this section, a corporate offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is capable of being committed by a corporation, whether or not it is an executive liability offence referred to in section 97.(2) A person commits an offence against this section if—(a) a corporation commits a corporate offence, and(b) the person is—(i) a director of the corporation, or(ii) an individual who is involved in the management of the corporation and who is in a position to influence the conduct of the corporation in relation to the commission of the corporate offence, and(c) the person—(i) aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of the corporate offence, or(ii) induces, whether by threats or promises or otherwise, the commission of the corporate offence, or(iii) conspires with others to effect the commission of the corporate offence, or(iv) is in any other way, whether by act or omission, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the commission of the corporate offence.Maximum penalty—The maximum penalty for the corporate offence if committed by an individual.(3) The prosecution bears the legal burden of proving the elements of the offence against this section.(4) The offence against this section can only be prosecuted by a person who can bring a prosecution for the corporate offence.(5) This section does not affect the liability of the corporation for the corporate offence, and applies whether or not the corporation is prosecuted for, or convicted of, the corporate offence.(6) This section does not affect the application of any other law relating to the criminal liability of any persons (whether or not directors or other managers of the corporation) who are concerned in, or party to, the commission of the corporate offence.s 97A: Ins 2012 No 97, Sch 1.45 [3].
97B Evidence as to state of mind of corporation
(1) Without limiting any other law or practice regarding the admissibility of evidence, evidence that an officer, employee or agent of a corporation (while acting in his or her capacity as such) had, at any particular time, a particular state of mind, is evidence that the corporation had that state of mind.(2) In this section, the state of mind of a person includes—(a) the knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose of the person, and(b) the person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.s 97B: Ins 2012 No 97, Sch 1.45 [3].
97C Corporations Act displacement
Sections 50A and 56G are declared to be Corporations legislation displacement provisions for the purposes of section 5G of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth in relation to the provisions of Chapter 5 of that Act.Note—Section 5G of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth provides that if a State or Territory law declares a provision of a State or Territory law to be a Corporations legislation displacement provision, a provision of the Corporations legislation with which the State or Territory provision would otherwise be inconsistent does not apply to the extent necessary to avoid the inconsistency.s 97C: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[83].
98 Proceedings for offences
Proceedings for an offence arising under this Act or the regulations may be dealt with summarily before the Land and Environment Court in its summary jurisdiction.s 98: Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2. Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[84].
98A Time within which proceedings may be commenced
(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be commenced not later than 3 years after the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.(2) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may also be commenced within, but not later than, 3 years after the date on which evidence of the alleged offence first came to the attention of the Minister, IPART or an inspector.(3) If subsection (2) is relied on for the purpose of commencing proceedings for an offence, the court attendance notice or application must contain particulars of the date on which evidence of the offence first came to the attention of the Minister, IPART or an inspector and need not contain particulars of the date on which the offence was committed.(4) The date on which evidence first came to the attention of the Minister, IPART or an inspector is the date specified in the court attendance notice or application, unless the contrary is established.(5) This section applies despite anything in the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 or any other Act.(6) In this section—evidence of an offence means evidence of an act or omission constituting the offence.s 98A: Ins 2021 No 26, Sch 1[85].
99 Recovery of monetary penalties
Any unpaid fee, charge or other amount owed to the Minister or to IPART, and any monetary penalty imposed by the Minister or by IPART, under this Act may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown.s 99: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[86] [87].
100 Evidentiary certificates
In proceedings, a certificate signed by the Minister or IPART certifying as to a matter relating to 1 or more of the following constitutes proof, in the absence of proof to the contrary, of the matter so certified—(a) an approval or licence,(b) the appointment of a person as an inspector,(c) a delegation under this Act,(d) a notice, order, requirement or direction of the Minister or IPART,(e) another decision of the Minister or IPART,(f) the receipt or non-receipt by the Minister or IPART of a notification or information required to be given to the Minister or IPART under this Act or the regulations,(g) an entry in a register kept by IPART under this Act,(h) guidelines issued or published by IPART.s 100: Subst 2021 No 26, Sch 1[88].
101 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.(2) In particular, the regulations may—(a) make provision for or about the matters set out in Schedule 2, and(b) create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding, for a corporation, 1,000 penalty units and, for an individual, 200 penalty units, and(c) apply, adopt or incorporate the provisions of a standard, code, specification or other document, either as in force on a particular day or as in force for the time being, and(d) provide for conditional or unconditional exemptions from specified provisions of this Act, and(e) make provision for or about the payment of fees by instalments.(3), (4) (Repealed)s 101: Am 2021 No 26, Sch 1[89].
102 (Repealed)
s 102: Rep 2008 No 114, Sch 4.
103 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 4 has effect.
104 Review of Act
(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.
Schedule 1 Scheduled areas
(Section 22)
The area of operations of the Sydney Water Corporation, as referred to in section 10 of the Sydney Water Act 1994The area of operations of the Hunter Water Corporation, as referred to in section 16 of the Hunter Water Act 1991
Schedule 2 Regulation-making powers
(Section 101)
1 Water quality and public health
Matters relating to water quality and public health, including the following—(a) the production, treatment, storage and conveyance of water,(b) the treatment, storage and conveyance of sewage,(c) the assessment of risks to water quality and the treatment of water or sewage to avert such risks,(d) the implementation of water quality guidelines.
2 Construction, operation and maintenance of water industry infrastructure
Matters relating to the construction, operation and maintenance of water industry infrastructure, including the following—(a) the design, construction, operation, maintenance and renewal of water and sewage pipes and associated equipment,(b) the construction, alteration, extension, maintenance, repair and operation of water industry infrastructure,(c) the procedures to be followed in preparing for, and dealing with, accidents and emergencies,(d) the development and implementation by registered operators of plans to ensure the safe operation and renewal of water industry infrastructure,(e) the development and implementation by registered operators of plans to ensure the safe connection of premises to water industry infrastructure,(f) the development and implementation by registered operators of plans to ensure that—(i) the supply of water and sewage by means of their water industry infrastructure is reliable, andincluding contingency plans in the event of the registered operator becoming unable to carry out the activities authorised by its licence.(ii) the water and sewage so supplied is of an appropriate quality,
3 Consumer protection
Matters relating to consumer protection, including the following—(a) water or sewerage service contracts,(b) the establishing of marketing codes of conduct in relation to the supply of water and the provision of sewerage services,(c) the development of payment plans for those suffering financial hardship,(c1) the implementation of other programs, including, for example, the granting of payment assistance, discounts or rebates, to ensure that water and sewerage services are available to people in need, including people suffering financial hardship and people living in remote areas,(d) the debt collection procedures to be observed by licensed retailers in relation to amounts owed by customers in connection with the supply of water,(e) the procedures to be followed when customers switch from one supplier of water to another, including procedures with respect to the transfer of information,(f) the standards of service to be provided to customers by licensed registered operators and licensed retailers in connection with the supply of water and the provision of sewerage services,(g) the procedures to be followed in relation to planning for failures in water supply, including procedures for identifying the existence of such failures and for arranging alternative water supplies in the event of such failures,(h) the installation, examination and testing of water and sewage meters,(i) the circumstances under which water supply or sewage collection may be refused or discontinued,(j) the regulation of ancillary market participants in their conduct of ancillary market activities,(k) the procedures to be adopted by licensed registered operators and licensed retailers for the resolution of customer complaints,(l) the obligations of persons who obtain or receive information about customers or prospective customers with respect to the collection, keeping, disclosure or other use of that information and the inclusion of such obligations in water or sewerage service contracts,(m) the provision to, and use by last resort providers, substituted registered operators and substituted registered retailers, of customer information, including personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 and health information under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.
3A Developments
Matters relating to the following—(a) certificates of compliance granted by the registered operator of an operational approval for water industry infrastructure certifying that the requirements of the registered operator for connection of a particular development to the water industry infrastructure have been complied with, including the following—(i) the making of an application for a certificate of compliance,(ii) the giving of a notice of requirements before the grant of a certificate of compliance, which may include requirements relating to—(A) the payment of costs, and(B) the construction of infrastructure, and(C) the transfer of infrastructure to the registered operator, and(D) other matters,(iii) the enforcement of requirements set out in a notice,(iv) the grant of a certificate of compliance,(v) the conditions of a certificate of compliance,(b) providing the registered operator of an operational approval for water industry infrastructure an opportunity to make submissions on an application for a statutory approval for a development that may affect the operation of the infrastructure, including requiring the relevant authority to notify the registered operator of relevant applications and to take into account submissions made by the registered operator,(c) providing for delegation of functions or powers of the registered operator of an operational approval for water industry infrastructure under regulations made under paragraph (a) or (b) to a licensed operator of the infrastructure.
4 Access to infrastructure services
Matters relating to access to infrastructure services, including the following—(a) the meeting of time limits in connection with the administration of this Act,(b) the rights and obligations of persons when negotiating access to an infrastructure service the subject of a coverage declaration or an access undertaking,(c) arbitrators’ functions in relation to the conduct of arbitrations for the purposes of this Act,(d) standard terms for inclusion in access agreements and access determinations,(e) the obligations that may be imposed on a service provider pursuant to an access undertaking or access determination,(f) the awarding of costs in relation to arbitrations conducted for the purposes of this Act,(g) the circumstances in which variations of an infrastructure service, or alterations or extensions of the water industry infrastructure by means of which an infrastructure service is provided, affect the operation of any coverage declaration or binding non-coverage declaration to which the service is subject.
5 Administration
Matters relating to administration, including the following—(a) the conduct of investigations by IPART for the purposes of this Act,(b) the keeping, provision and publishing of records, information and statistics in relation to—(i) the operation of water mains and the supply of water, and(ii) the operation of sewer mains and the collection of sewage, and(iii) the operation of stormwater drains and the collection of stormwater, and(iv) water quality, and(v) the operation of water treatment processes, and(vi) the environmental impact arising from the construction, maintenance and operation of water industry infrastructure and other activities carried out pursuant to a licence,(c) the manner in which, and the period for which, information must be made available on internet websites pursuant to the requirements of this Act.
5A Water industry audits
Matters relating to audits under this Act, including the following—(a) the appointment of auditors and their functions,(b) directions to applicants for approvals or licences and licensees (audit targets) to engage auditors or otherwise co-operate with auditors appointed by IPART,(c) the recovery of fees from audit targets as debts,(d) functions, powers and duties of auditors,(e) permitting an auditor to accompany an inspector who enters premises under this Act, Part 7A for the purpose of exercising the auditor’s functions.
5B Fees and charges
Fees and charges payable under this Act, including the following—(a) requiring the payment of fees and charges for the supply of a service or product under this Act,(b) requiring the payment of charges by a person who is investigated, reviewed or audited under this Act to cover the costs of the investigation, review or audit,(c) requiring the payment of fees or charges by a person at whose request or for whose benefit research or an investigation is carried out under this Act,(d) providing for the amount of a fee or charge to be as determined in accordance with the regulations, including as determined by a person specified in the regulations,(e) requiring a deposit or prepayment for a fee or charge.
6 Other matters
Other matters, including the following—(a) the carrying out of plumbing work and drainage work,(b) the use of water for fire-fighting purposes,(c) the imposition and enforcement of water restrictions,(d) the prohibition and regulation of discharges into sewage pipes and sewer mains,(d1) matters relating to the substitution of registered operators and registered retailers,(e) matters of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the making of a coverage declaration, a revocation declaration or a binding non-coverage declaration.
sch 2: Am 2014 No 57, Sch 1 [63]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[90]–[100].
Schedule 3 (Repealed)
sch 3: Rep 2008 No 114, Sch 4.
Schedule 4 Savings, transitional and other provisions
(Section 103)
Part 1 General
1 Savings or transitional regulations
(1) The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the commencement of—(a) a provision of this Act, or(b) a provision amending this Act.(2) A savings or transitional provision consequent on the commencement of a provision must not be made more than 2 years after that commencement.(3) A savings or transitional provision made consequent on the commencement of a provision is repealed 2 years after that commencement.(4) A savings or transitional provision made consequent on the commencement of a provision may take effect before that commencement but not before—(a) for a provision of this Act, the date of assent to this Act, or(b) for a provision amending this Act, the date of assent to the amending Act.(5) A savings or transitional provision taking effect before its publication on the NSW legislation website does not, before its publication—(a) affect the rights of a person in a way prejudicial to the person, or(b) impose liabilities on a person about anything done or omitted to be done.(6) In this clause—person does not include the State or an authority of the State.
Part 2 Provisions consequent on enactment of this Act
2 Deemed coverage declarations
(1) Subject to any revocation declaration under Division 3 of Part 3 of this Act, each service specified in Column 1 of the Table to this clause is taken to be the subject of a coverage declaration for the period specified in relation to that service in Column 2 of that Table.(2) In the Table to this clause, a reference to a reticulation network is a reference to that part of Sydney Water Corporation’s sewerage infrastructure into which sewage is discharged from a customer’s connection point for conveyance to a treatment plant.Table
3 References to access licences under Water Management Act 2000
The reference in section 6 (2) of this Act to an access licence under the Water Management Act 2000 includes, in relation to any land or water source not subject to that Act, a reference to a licence or permit under the Water Act 1912.
Part 3 Provisions consequent on enactment of Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2011
4 Definition
In this Part—amending Act means the Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2011.
5 Approval of new approved ombudsman scheme before commencement of amendments to Division 1 of Part 5
(1) For the purpose of facilitating the application of an approved ombudsman scheme to entitled persons in relation to the exercise of functions under Division 2 of Part 6 (as inserted by the amending Act) and to small retail customers of sewerage services, the Minister may before the relevant day approve an existing or new ombudsman scheme under section 49 as if all of the amendments made to Division 1 of Part 5 by the amending Act had commenced on the date of assent to that Act.(2) An ombudsman scheme approved as provided by subclause (1) has effect on and from the relevant day.(3) The provisions of this clause are in addition to, and do not derogate from, the provisions of section 26 of the Interpretation Act 1987.(4) In this clause—relevant day means the day on which the amendment to section 49 (1) made by the amending Act commences.
6 Transitional period in relation to enforcement of new statutory licensing conditions
(1) The Minister may not take enforcement action under section 16 during the applicable transitional period in relation to any of the following licence conditions imposed by section 50 (as amended by the amending Act)—(a) the condition imposed by section 50 (1), but only in its application to any retail supplier who provides sewerage services under its retail supplier’s licence,(b) the condition imposed by section 50 (2).(2) The applicable transitional period in relation to a licence condition referred to in subclause (1) is the period of 3 months commencing on the day on which the amendment made by the amending Act that imposes the condition concerned commences.
7 Ownership of water industry infrastructure
(1) Subject to the regulations, section 64 (1) (as substituted by the amending Act) is taken on and from the relevant day to extend to—(a) any water industry infrastructure constructed or installed before the relevant day, and(b) any water industry infrastructure constructed or installed before the relevant day the title to which has subsequently been acquired by another person (whether before, on or after the relevant day).(2) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the application of section 64 (1) (as substituted by the amending Act) to water industry infrastructure constructed or installed before the relevant day.(3) In this clause—relevant day means the day on which section 64 (1) is substituted by the amending Act.
Part 4 Provisions consequent on enactment of Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2021
8 Definitions
In this Part—amending Act means the Water Industry Competition Amendment Act 2021.former Part 2 means this Act, Part 2 as in force immediately before its substitution by the amending Act.substituted Part 2 means this Act, Part 2 as inserted by the amending Act.
9 Existing licences to continue in force for transitional period
(1) If, immediately before the commencement of substituted Part 2, a licence was in force authorising the operation of water industry infrastructure to which former Part 2 applied and the supply of water or sewerage services provided by means of the infrastructure—(a) the licence continues in force, and(b) this Act, as in force immediately before the substitution of that Part by the amending Act, continues to apply to the licence, the operation of the water industry infrastructure and the supply of water or sewerage services provided by means of the infrastructure, and(c) this Act, as in force after that substitution, does not apply to the licence, the operation of the water industry infrastructure and the supply of water or sewerage services provided by means of the infrastructure.(2) Regulations may be made for or about the application of this Act, Part 5A, or specified provisions of Part 5A, with or without modification, to the operation of the water industry infrastructure and the supply of water or sewerage services provided by means of the infrastructure.(3) This clause ceases to have effect on the later of the following—(a) 12 months after the date of the commencement of substituted Part 2,(b) a later date specified by the regulations, being a date not later than 2 years after that commencement date.
10 Approvals and licences granted to replace existing licences
(1) If, immediately before the commencement of substituted Part 2, a licence was in force under former Part 2, IPART must grant approvals and licences in accordance with this clause, as appropriate, for the construction and operation of the infrastructure and the sale of water or sewerage services as authorised by the licence.(2) An approval or licence granted by IPART in accordance with this clause is taken to be an approval or licence granted under substituted Part 2.(3) The provisions of substituted Part 2 apply to the grant of an approval or licence subject to this clause and the regulations.(4) Approvals and licences are to be granted in accordance with this clause without application or the payment of an application fee.(5) IPART may establish a process for the determination of matters relating to the grant of approvals and licences in accordance with this clause and, as reasonably necessary for that purpose, may require information to be provided, and verified in a specified way, by—(a) a person proposed to be granted a licence or a proposed registered operator, or(b) a licensed retail supplier of services provided by means of the infrastructure or a person specified in the licence of the retail supplier.(6) This Act, sections 7F, 7G, 7H(1) and 7I(1) apply, and sections 7C–7E do not apply, to the grant of approvals in accordance with this clause.(7) This Act, sections 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H(2) and 8I(2) apply, and section 8C does not apply, to the grant of licences in accordance with this clause.(8) To avoid doubt, IPART may, under this Act, section 54, determine whether the water industry infrastructure that is to be the subject of an approval or licence granted in accordance with this clause is essential infrastructure.(9) Before an approval or licence is granted for water industry infrastructure in accordance with this clause, IPART must—(a) consult with the existing licensee, and(b) allow the existing licensee at least 21 days to make a submission to IPART.(10) Subject to the regulations, IPART must cause details of approvals and licences granted in accordance with this clause to be included in the register kept by IPART under this Act, Part 8, Division 1A.(11) An operational approval must not be granted unless IPART is satisfied, if the water industry infrastructure concerned is or is likely to be essential infrastructure, that a last resort provider has been designated for each essential service provider unless the essential service provider is a council.(12) An approval or licence may be granted in accordance with this clause despite an irregularity regarding the licence in force under former Part 2.(13) An approval granted in accordance with this clause may specify an area of operations that differs in a non-substantial respect from an area, however described, to which the relevant licence in force under former Part 2 applied.(14) An approval granted in accordance with this clause may, with the written consent of a licensee in force under former Part 2, specify an area of operations that differs in a substantial respect from an area, however described, to which the relevant licence applied, but only if IPART considers it necessary having had regard to the following—(a) whether services can be made available to all premises within the proposed area of operations within a reasonable period of time,(b) whether the proposed area of operations excludes premises within the outermost boundary of, or in the vicinity of, the area of operations, including, for example, by excluded enclaves or unusual boundaries, unless the exclusion is reasonable having regard to the characteristics of the proposed scheme, the characteristics of the premises or the services already available to the premises.(15) A licence granted in accordance with this clause—(a) must specify the matters referred to in section 8E(a), (b) and (d) in a way that authorises the licensee to carry out the activities that were authorised to be carried out by the substituted licence, and(b) must specify the matter referred to in section 8E(c) in a way that authorises the licensee to construct or operate the schemes that were authorised to be constructed or operated by the substituted licence, and(c) if the licensee, being a corporation, requests, may specify in the matter referred to in section 8E(c) a greater maximum number of schemes that the licensee is authorised to operate, but only if IPART is satisfied that the licensee is a suitable corporation, within the meaning of section 8D, for the greater maximum number of schemes.
11 Pending applications for licences
(1) If an application for a licence was made under former Part 2 and was not determined before the commencement of substituted Part 2, the application is taken to be an application for a licence or approval or both under substituted Part 2 and is to be dealt with accordingly, subject to the other provisions of this clause.(2) The regulations may make provision for either or both of the following—(a) the modification of specified provisions of Part 2 that apply to an application for a licence or approval, including the determination of the application,(b) the exemption of an application for a licence or approval from the operation of specified provisions of Part 2.(3) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice, at any time before making a decision about the application, require the applicant to provide, or require the applicant to authorise another person to provide, the Minister or IPART, as applicable, with further information in relation to the application as is specified in the notice and, until the information is provided, may defer consideration of the application.
12 Customer contracts
(1) This Act, Part 5, Division 1AA extends, after the commencement of that Division, to the provision of water or sewerage services that were provided to a customer immediately before the commencement of the Division regardless of the terms or conditions of a contract for the services then in force with the customer.(2) However, a contract for water or sewerage services with a customer in force immediately before the commencement of Part 5, Division 1AA is not to be regarded as having been terminated and, consequently, rights and obligations that have accrued under the contract before that commencement are not affected and no early termination charge becomes payable.
13 Monopoly suppliers
(1) An order in force under section 51 immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1[19] of the amending Act declaring that a specified licensed retail supplier or licensed network operator is a monopoly supplier in relation to a specified water or sewerage service, a specified area and a specified class of customers is to be taken to be a declaration in force under section 51 as substituted by the amending Act that the specified water or sewerage service provided in the specified area to the specified class of customers is a monopoly service.(2) A determination of IPART in force immediately before the commencement of Schedule 1[19] of the amending Act that specifies the price a monopoly supplier, as declared under section 51 as then in force, can charge its customers is to be read as specifying the price that may be charged for the water or sewerage service provided in the area to the class of customers specified in the declaration of the monopoly supplier under section 51 as then in force.
14 Existing unlicensed schemes
(1) This clause applies to an existing unlicensed scheme, being water industry infrastructure to which—(a) former Part 2, as in force immediately before the commencement of substituted Part 2, did not apply, and(b) substituted Part 2 would, but for this clause, apply.(2) Substituted Part 2, Division 2—(a) does not apply to an existing unlicensed schemes—for the period of 12 months beginning on the date of the commencement of substituted Part 2, and(b) if an application for a licence or approval in relation to an existing unlicensed scheme was lodged by a person before the end of the 12-month period—does not apply to the existing unlicensed scheme for a further period of 12 months.(3) A fee is not payable for an application for a licence or approval by a person in relation to an existing unlicensed scheme.(4) To avoid doubt, IPART may, under this Act, section 54, determine whether an existing unlicensed scheme is essential infrastructure.(5) The regulations may, for an existing unlicensed scheme, make provision for the modification of specified provisions of Part 2 that apply to an application for a licence or approval for the scheme, including the determination of the application.(6) The Minister or IPART may, by written notice, at any time before making a decision about the application, require the applicant to provide, or require the applicant to authorise another person to provide, the Minister or IPART, as applicable, with further information in relation to the application as is specified in the notice and, until the information is provided, may defer consideration of the application.(7) IPART may exempt an existing unlicensed scheme from the operation of specified provisions of Part 2, and the regulations under Part 2, if a licence and approval for the scheme is granted.
sch 4: Am 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [24]–[26]; 2014 No 57, Sch 1 [64]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[101] [102].
Dictionary
(Section 3)
access agreement means an agreement referred to in section 39.
access determination means an arbitrator’s determination under section 40.
access seeker, in relation to an infrastructure service, means a person who wants access to the service or wants a change to some aspect of the person’s existing access to the service.
access undertaking means an access undertaking established under section 38.
application audit means an audit that is conducted for the purposes of assessing an application for the grant of, or variation to, an approval or licence.
approval for Parts 2 and 8, means a scheme approval or operational approval.
approved ombudsman scheme means a scheme approved under section 49.
area of operations of a public water utility—see public water utility.
audit means an application audit or compliance audit.
auditor means a person appointed by IPART, in accordance with the regulations, as an auditor.
of a registered operator—see section 58.
binding non-coverage application means an application referred to in section 32.
binding non-coverage declaration means a declaration under section 34.
class of water industry infrastructure—see section 3A.
commission, in relation to water industry infrastructure, means the process by which the infrastructure, before being used to provide services, is tested to verify its functions against its design objectives or specifications, and includes re-commission.
compliance audit means an audit that is conducted for 1 or more of the following purposes—
(a) to assess compliance with the requirements imposed by or under this Act and the regulations, including requirements imposed by or under an approval or licence,
(b) to assess or identify a contravention or suspected contravention of the requirements imposed by or under this Act, including a contravention or other deficiency identified in another audit,
(c) to identify measures for improved compliance with the requirements imposed by or under this Act,
(d) to investigate or assess a matter identified by IPART that relates to a scheme, approval or licence, including, for example, a matter relating to the environment, public health or safety,
(e) to investigate or assess a statutory default,
(f) a purpose prescribed by the regulations.
compliance notice—see section 10B.
contract charge—see section 46AA.
construction of water industry infrastructure includes the commissioning, alteration and installation of the infrastructure.
contingency plan—see section 55A.
corporation includes a body corporate.
council has the same meaning as it has in the Local Government Act 1993.
county council has the same meaning as it has in the Local Government Act 1993.
coverage application means a coverage application referred to in section 24.
coverage declaration means a declaration under section 26.
declaration criteria means the criteria set out in section 23.
declared failure means a failure of an essential service provider declared under section 56, beginning on the transfer date and ending on the end date.
deemed customer contract—see section 46AB.
disqualified corporation means—
(a) a corporation that, as a result of disciplinary action under this Act, is a disqualified corporation for the purposes of this Act, or
(b) a corporation that has, as one of its directors or as one of the persons concerned in its management, an individual who is a disqualified individual.
disqualified individual means—drinking water means water that is intended, or likely, to be used for human consumption, or for purposes connected with human consumption, such as—whether or not the water is used for other purposes.
(a) an individual who, pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth, is prohibited from managing a corporation, or
(b) an individual who, as a result of disciplinary action under this Act, is a disqualified individual for the purposes of this Act, or
(c) an individual who is a director of a disqualified corporation or is concerned in the management of a disqualified corporation.
(a) the washing or cooling of food, or
(b) the making of ice for consumption, or for the preservation of unpackaged food,
end date of a declared failure means the end date fixed under section 57B (2)(d).
essential infrastructure—see section 54.
essential service means a water or sewerage service provided by means of essential infrastructure.
essential service provider or provider of an essential service means a registered operator or registered retailer of a scheme that is essential infrastructure.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
failed licensee—see section 56(2)(c).
function includes a power, authority or duty.
infrastructure service means the storage, conveyance or reticulation of water or sewage by means of water industry infrastructure, and includes the provision of connections between any such infrastructure and the infrastructure of the person for whom water or sewage is stored, conveyed or reticulated, but—
(a) does not include the storage of water behind a dam wall, and
(b) does not include—(i) the filtering, treating or processing of water or sewage, or(ii) the use of a production process, or(iii) the use of intellectual property, orexcept to the extent to which it is a subsidiary but inseparable aspect of the storage, conveyance or reticulation of water or sewage.(iv) the supply of goods (including the supply of water or sewage),
insolvency official means a receiver, receiver and manager, administrator, provisional liquidator, liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy or person having a similar or analogous function.
inspector means an inspector appointed under section 84B.
IPART means the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal.
land includes—
(a) in Part 6, Division 2 and Part 7A, Division 3, any building or part of a building, or any structure or part of a structure, located on, under or above land.
(b) in Part 7A, Division 3, premises.
last resort provider means a person designated as a last resort provider under Part 5, Division 2.
licence means an operator licence or a retailer licence.
licensed operator means the licensee under an operator licence.
licensed retailer means the licensee under a retailer licence.
long term lease means a lease that confers a right, including a contingent or future right, to the use or possession of water industry infrastructure for a term extending to a time, or commencing, more than 25 years after the making of the lease.
monopoly service—see section 50B.
monopoly supplier—see section 50B.
national safety guidelines means the guidelines or another document concerning the safe provision of water services or sewerage services prescribed by the regulations, whether as in force at a particular time or from time to time.
new licensee—see section 57B(2)(b)(ii).
occupier of premises includes a person having the care, control or management of premises.
ombudsman means the ombudsman appointed under an approved ombudsman scheme.
operate water industry infrastructure means operate a part of the infrastructure, and includes maintaining the infrastructure.
operational approval means an operational approval granted by IPART under Part 2.
operator licence means an operator licence granted by the Minister under Part 2.
owner of water industry infrastructure means—
(a) if the infrastructure is not subject to a long term lease—the person who owns the infrastructure as set out in section 64, or
(b) if the infrastructure is subject to a long term lease—the lessee under the long term lease.
premises includes land.
provider of an essential service—see essential service provider.
providing an essential service means—
(a) if the service is provided by a registered operator or a person designated as the last resort provider for the registered operator—operating essential infrastructure, or
(b) if the service is provided by a registered retailer or a person designated as the last resort provider for the registered retailer—selling water or sewerage services provided by means of essential infrastructure.
public health and safety directions—see section 9(1).
public reserve has the same meaning as it has in the Local Government Act 1993.
public road has the same meaning as it has in the Roads Act 1993.
public water utility—each of the bodies listed below is a public water utility and the utility’s Act and area of operations are as set out in the entry for the body—
Public water utility | Utility’s Act | Utility’s area of operations |
Hunter Water Corporation | its area of operations under section 16 of its Act | |
Sydney Water Corporation | its area of operations under section 10 of its Act | |
Water NSW | its area of operations under section 15 of its Act | |
a county council providing water or sewerage services | its area of operations established under section 393 of its Act | |
a council providing water or sewerage services in an area that is not within the area of operations of Sydney Water Corporation or Hunter Water Corporation | its local government area under its Act | |
Hawkesbury City Council | its local government area under its Act | |
water supply authority within the meaning of the Water Management Act 2000, other than an authority listed above | the Act under which the authority was established | its area of operations under the Water Management Act 2000, section 289 |
record means a document or other source of information compiled, recorded or stored in written form or on film, or by electronic process, or in another way or by another means.
recycled water means water obtained from the processing of sewage or stormwater or both.
registered operator, for water industry infrastructure, means the holder of an operator licence who is registered as the registered operator for the water industry infrastructure.
registered retailer, for water industry infrastructure, means the holder of a retailer licence who is registered as the registered retailer for the water industry infrastructure.
regulated scheme means the following—
(a) water industry infrastructure that is a category A scheme within the meaning of section 5(1)(a), other than water industry infrastructure excluded by the regulations,
(b) water industry infrastructure to which Part 2 applies that is prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition.
regulated scheme licence—see section 46AA.
means the following—
(a) the Minister,
(b) IPART.
of a corporation that is an applicant for or holds an approval or licence means a related corporation of the corporation within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth that would have or has a direct or indirect interest in, or influence on, the carrying out of activities under the approval or licence.
retailer licence means a retailer licence granted by the Minister under Part 2.
revocation application means a revocation application referred to in section 28.
revocation declaration means a declaration under section 30.
has the same meaning as it has in the Roads Act 1993.
scheduled area means an area specified in Schedule 1.
scheme means the water industry infrastructure authorised to be constructed under a scheme approval.
scheme approval means a scheme approval granted by IPART under Part 2.
sell includes supply on a commercial basis or a not-for-profit or cost-recovery only basis.
service provider, in relation to an infrastructure service, means the person who has, or is to have, control of the water industry infrastructure by means of which the service is, or is to be, provided, whether or not the person is a registered operator.
sewage means material collected from internal household and other building drains, and includes faecal waste and urine from toilets and water from showers, baths, laundries and kitchens.
sewer main means such part of sewerage infrastructure as comprises the main sewage pipe into which sewage is discharged from premises.
sewer miner means a person who draws from the contents of a service provider’s sewers or who wants to do so.
sewerage infrastructure means any infrastructure that is, or is to be, used for the treatment, storage, conveyance or reticulation of sewage, including any outfall pipe or other work that stores or conveys water leaving the infrastructure, but does not include any pipe, fitting or apparatus that is situated upstream of a customer’s connection point to a sewer main.
sewerage service includes a service of connecting premises to infrastructure for the treatment, storage, conveyance or reticulation of sewage.
small business purposes means the purpose of operating a business that employs less than 20 employees, but not a business of a class excluded by the regulations.
small retail customer means a person who owns or occupies small retail customer premises and receives or is proposed to receive, directly or indirectly, water or sewerage services.
small retail customer premises means—but does not include premises of a class declared by the regulations not to be small retail customer premises.
(a) premises, including each separate premises within community land scheme, company title scheme or strata scheme, that are used or proposed to be used for residential purposes or small business purposes, or
(b) premises of a class declared by the regulations to be small retail customer premises,
standard contract charges—see section 46AA.
stormwater—
(a) includes water of a kind prescribed by the regulations, and
(b) does not include water of a kind excluded from this definition by the regulations.
stormwater drain means such part of water infrastructure as comprises the main drain into which stormwater is discharged from premises.
technical expert means a person appointed as a technical expert under regulations made under section 55A.
transfer date of a declared failure means the transfer date fixed under section 56(2)(e).
utility’s Act—see public water utility.
water includes drinking water or recycled water.
water industry infrastructure means water infrastructure or sewerage infrastructure.
water infrastructure means any infrastructure that is, or is to be, used for the production, treatment, filtration, storage, conveyance or reticulation of water, but does not include—
(a) any pipe, fitting or apparatus that is situated downstream of a customer’s connection point to a water main, or
(b) any pipe, fitting or apparatus that is situated upstream of a customer’s connection point to a stormwater drain.
water main means such part of water infrastructure as comprises the main water pipe from which water is distributed to premises.
water service means a service of supplying water, including a service of connecting premises to infrastructure for supplying water.
Dictionary: Am 2008 No 23, Sch 3.55; 2010 No 19, Sch 3.125 [1] [2]; 2011 No 66, Sch 1 [27]–[29]; 2014 No 74, Sch 3.42 [2]; 2021 No 26, Sch 1[103]–[109].