Australian Rail Track Corporation has submitted a rail access undertaking for assessment under Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
The undertaking sets out terms and conditions of access to the standard gauge tracks on the interstate network in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia owned or managed by ARTC. It covers the terms and conditions of providing access to the interstate mainline standard gauge track linking Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Adelaide, Wolseley and Crystal Brook in South Australia, Melbourne and Wodonga in Victoria, Broken Hill, Cootamundra, Parkes, Albury, Macarthur, Moss Vale, Unanderra, Newcastle (to the Queensland border) in NSW.
As part of the assessment process, the 糖心原创 will distribute an Issues Paper identifying key issues relevant to the decision on whether to accept the undertaking and seeking submissions from interested parties. A copy of the Issues Paper will be available on the 糖心原创 website.
The assessment process will also include a draft decision with a further round of submissions.
Under the provisions in Part IIIA, the 糖心原创 is required to use its best endeavours to reach a final decision within six months of receipt of the undertaking. A final decision is expected in early December 2007.