Proposed Undertaking 

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Queensland Rail Draft Access Undertaking 1

Introduction

Queensland Rail commenced business as a separate organisation to QR Limited on 1 July 2010, with a focus on providing exceptional customer service and achieving world class safety.  Since separation, Queensland Rail has been providing access to its below rail network to access seekers and access holders under the QR Network Access Undertaking (2008) June 2010 (the ‘Temporary Undertaking’).

The Queensland Government facilitated the transfer of the QR Network Access Undertaking (2008) June 2010 to Queensland Rail through a Transfer Notice issued in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment (Asset Restructuring and Disposal) Act 2009 (Qld) at the time that Queensland Rail separated from QR Limited.  The access undertaking provides the framework for access to Queensland Rail’s rail infrastructure for the purpose of operating above rail services. The Temporary Undertaking expires on 30 June 2012.

The Queensland Competition Authority Act 1997 (Qld) (QCA Act) allows Queensland Rail to lodge a new voluntary access undertaking for the Authority’s consideration.  With the Temporary Undertaking expiring soon, Queensland Rail has developed a new draft voluntary access undertaking that better reflects Queensland Rail’s new business profile, called Queensland Rail’s Draft Access Undertaking 1 (AU1).  Queensland Rail’s business is now vertically integrated with an absence of an above rail operation – other than passenger traffic.  With the exception of the passenger market, the Queensland Rail charter does not include operation of an above rail business. 

Queensland Rail undertook extensive consultation with customers and other interested parties on the provisions of AU1 prior to submitting AU1 to the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).  This enabled stakeholders to influence the content of AU1 before it is considered by the QCA.  Queensland Rail:

• Publicly released a working draft of AU1 on 31 August 2011.
• Held two public consultation forums.
• Sought written comments from customers and stakeholders.
• Held individual meetings with, and otherwise engaged with, customers and stakeholders and their representatives.

During this process customers and stakeholders have provided significant feedback.  Many of the provisions of AU1 have been informed from this feedback and Queensland Rail values the commitment demonstrated by its customers and stakeholders in contributing to the development of AU1.

Queensland Rail submitted AU1 to the QCA on 30 March 2012.  The QCA will now consider AU1 and seek public comment from interested parties on the provisions of AU1.  Queensland Rail’s submission to the QCA included:

• Correspondence to the QCA.
• AU1 (which incorporates a standard access agreement for West Moreton coal carrying services).
• An explanatory document. 

In addition to the above documents, Queensland Rail intends to submit to the QCA its "Operator Requirements Manual" in mid May 2012. The document will form part of the Submission Accompanying and Explaining the Draft Queensland Rail Access Undertaking 1.

While not forming part of Queensland Rail’s AU1 submission to the QCA, Queensland Rail has also made available the following related documents for information purposes:

• Comparison – working draft of AU1 against submitted AU1.
• Flow Diagram of the Access Process (to be uploaded 24 April 2012).
• Access Application.
• Operating Plan Template.
• Rolling Stock Authorisation Manual.
• Line Diagrams – North Queensland.
• Line Diagrams – South Queensland.
• IRMP Template.

Queensland Rail intends to continue consulting with stakeholders during the formal QCA process on key elements of AU1.

Enquiries in relation to AU1 should be forwarded to:

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Downloads

AU1 submission to the QCA

The following documents form Queensland Rail’s submission to the QCA  in relation to AU1:

•  Queensland Rail correspondence to QCA
•  Explanatory Document - Queensland Rail’s Draft Access Undertaking 1
•  Queensland Rail’s Draft Access Undertaking 1
• Operating Requirements Manual - Not yet submitted to QCA (to be uploaded in mid May 2012)

Additional documents

The following documents do not form part of Queensland Rail’s AU1 submission to the QCA. 

•  Comparison – working draft of AU1 against submitted AU1
•  Flow Diagram of the Access Process (to be uploaded on 24 April 2012)
•  Access Application
•  Operating Plan Template
•  Rolling Stock Authorisation Manual
•  Line Diagrams – North Queensland
•  Line Diagrams – South Queensland
•  IRMP Template

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