2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime
The purpose of the 2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime was to assess the need for and effectiveness of the regime, and whether any changes are recommended. This was the second review of the regime since its commencement in 2015.
Status: final
- Initiate
- Consultation
- Draft
- Consultation
- Final
The 2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime – Final Report was delivered to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics on 1 November 2023 and tabled in the Legislative Assembly on 12 March 2024.
The Commission is required to periodically review the port access and pricing regime and deliver a report to the Minister. The purpose of the review is to determine whether:
- there is an ongoing need for regulatory oversight of access to, and pricing of, prescribed services provided by the private port operator
- there is a need to change the form of regulatory oversight of access, and if so, how
- whether there is a need to change the form of regulatory oversight of pricing, and if so, how
- whether amendments should be made to the access and pricing regime, and if so, the nature of those
The Commission completed its 2018 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime in November 2018, three years after the introduction of the regime. Subsequent reviews are to be conducted every five years.
This second (2023) review of the regime commenced in November 2022 with the release of an Issues Paper. Feedback in submissions to the issues paper informed the Commission’s Draft Report, which was released for consultation in May 2023. Submissions to the draft report were taken into consideration in preparing the Commission’s Final Report.
The Commission recommends continuing regulatory oversight of access to, and pricing of, prescribed services at the Port of Darwin with the current form of regulation to remain the same until the next review. The Commission identified that a number of findings from its 2018 Review remain to be actioned and recommended these and other amendments be implemented to ensure the access and pricing regime is effective and fit for purpose. Changes to the regime are, however, a decision for Government and Parliament.
Any questions regarding the review should be directed to the Commission by email utilities.commission@nt.gov.au or telephone (08) 8999 5480.
Related documents
Initiate
2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime - Issues Paper
Consultation
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies submission
Darwin Port Operations submission
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics submission
Draft
2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime - Draft Report
Consultation
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies submission
Darwin Port Operations submission
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics submission
Final
2023 Review of the Port Access and Pricing Regime - Final Report