Gas Supply Act 2003Gas Supply Regulation 2007Part 1Preliminary1Short titleThis regulation may be cited as the Gas Supply Regulation 2007.2CommencementThe following provisions commence on the FRC day—

•part 2, division 2

•parts 3, 4 and 5

•sections 55 and 56.

3DefinitionsThe dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this regulation.Part 2PROVISIONS PRESCRIBING PARTICULAR CUSTOMER TYPESpt hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Division 1Preliminarydiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Subdivision 1Preliminarysdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 424Operation of div 1s 4 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Subdivision 2Initial classificationsdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 425Contestable customers immediately before FRD day are not small customerss 5 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 426Classification of non-contestable customerss 6 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 427New customer or supply points 7 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 428Initial classification subject to reclassifications 8 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Subdivision 3Retailer-initiated reclassificationsdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 429Power to redecide classifications 9 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4210Information notice for particular reclassificationss 10 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4211Deferral of particular reclassifications until review expiration days 11 amd 2009 SL No. 265 s 39om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Subdivision 4Reclassification by applicationsdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4212Who may applys 12 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4213Restriction on reapplyings 13 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4214Making and deciding of applications 14 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4215Notice of decisions 15 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4216When decision takes effects 16 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Subdivision 5Provisions for deciding classificationsdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4217Application of sdiv 5s 17 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4218Consumption threshold for small customer classifications 18 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4219Primary reference to consumption datas 19 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4220Discretion to use estimate if consumption data inaccurates 20 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4221Provisions for decision if no consumption data availables 21 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4222Permitted bases for estimatess 22 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4223Supply points can not be totalleds 23 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Division 2Excluded customersdiv hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4224Excluded customers—Act, s 17(4)s 24 amd 2009 SL No. 163 s 4 (retro); 2010 SL No. 13 s 9om 2014 SL No. 338 s 42Part 3Distribution network code provisionspt hdg amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 43Division 1Proposals to amend25Proposal to amend(1)Any person (the proponent) may ask QCA to amend a distribution network code in a stated way (the proposal).(2)However, the proposal may be made only in the way QCA reasonably requires.(3)Also, QCA may require the proponent to, in making the proposal, justify how it meets the QCA code objective.s 25 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (1)26QCA response to proposal(1)This section applies only when any requirements under section 25 relating to the proposal have been complied with.(2)QCA must, within 2 months, decide whether or not it will submit the proposal for consultation under division 2.(3)If QCA decides to submit the proposal, QCA may submit it in any form it considers appropriate, with or without change.27Notice of decision not to submit for consultationIf QCA decides not to submit the proposal for consultation under division 2, it must, as soon as practicable after making the decision, give the proponent a notice stating the decision and its reasons for the decision.28QCA-initiated amendments not affectedTo remove any doubt, it is declared that this division does not prevent QCA from amending the distribution network code on its own initiative.s 28 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)Division 2Required consultation for QCA making or amending distribution network codediv hdg amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 45Subdivision 1Preliminary29Prescribed consultation—Act, ss 270G(2) and 270OA(1)(1)For sections 270G(2) and 270OA(1) of the Act, the consultation required to be engaged in before QCA may make or amend a distribution network code is any steps as required under subdivisions 2 and 3.(2)For subsection (1), the consultation is taken to have been engaged in if the required steps have been substantially carried out or complied with.s 29 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (1)30Application of div 2 for amendments(1)If QCA proposes to amend a distribution network code, this division applies—

(a)as if a reference to a proposed distribution network code were a reference to the proposed amendment; and

(b)as if a reference to a draft or final version of a proposed code were a reference to the proposed amendment.

(2)However, QCA may comply with a requirement to publish the proposed amendment by publishing the full distribution network code as amended by the proposed amendment.s 30 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44Subdivision 2Interim steps31Application of sdiv 2This subdivision does not apply if—

(a)QCA decides the issues for the proposed distribution network code are minor; or

(b)QCA reasonably considers that it is unnecessary or inappropriate to carry out the steps provided for under this subdivision.

s 31 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)32Interim consultation notice(1)QCA must—

(a)prepare a notice (the interim consultation notice) about the proposed distribution network code; and

(b)publish the interim consultation notice on its website; and

(c)give the interim consultation notice to anyone it reasonably believes will be interested in the proposed distribution network code.

(2)The interim consultation notice must state—

(a)where a document (the issues document) discussing interim issues for the proposed distribution network code may be inspected; and

(b)a period (the interim consultation period) during which anyone may make written submissions to QCA about the issues.

(3)The issues document may, but need not, be a draft of the proposed distribution network code.(4)The interim consultation period must be a period that is reasonable, having regard to the complexity of the interim issues.s 32 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)33SubmissionsAnyone may, within the interim consultation period, make a written submission to QCA about the issues mentioned in the issues document.34Considering submissionsQCA must, as soon as practicable after the interim consultation period ends, consider all written submissions made under section 33 within that period.35Release of draft report and draft proposed code(1)QCA must, after complying with section 34, publish on its website—

(a)a draft report about the material issues for the proposed distribution network code and

(b)a draft of the proposed distribution network code.

(2)The draft of the proposed distribution network code may be a first draft or a revision of any draft of the proposed distribution network code that formed the issues document.s 35 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)Subdivision 3Final steps36Final consultation notice(1)This section applies if subdivision 2 did not apply or if any steps required under the subdivision have been carried out or complied with.(2)If subdivision 2 did not apply, QCA must first publish on its website—

(a)a draft report about the material issues for the proposed distribution network code; and

(b)a draft of the proposed distribution network code.

(3)QCA must—

(a)prepare a notice (the final consultation notice) about the proposed distribution network code; and

(b)publish the final consultation notice on its website; and

(c)give the final consultation notice to anyone it reasonably believes will be interested in the proposed distribution network code.

(4)The final consultation notice must state—

(a)that QCA has made a draft report about the material issues for the proposed distribution network code and a draft of the proposed distribution network code; and

(b)where the drafts may be inspected; and

(c)a period (the final consultation period) during which anyone may make written submissions to QCA about the drafts.

(5)The final consultation period must be a period that is reasonable, having regard to the complexity of the drafts.s 36 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)37SubmissionsAnyone may, within the final consultation period, make a written submission to QCA about the drafts published under section 36(2).38Considering submissionsQCA must, as soon as practicable after the final consultation period ends, consider all written submissions made under section 37 within that period.39Release of final report and final proposed codeQCA must, after complying with section 38, publish on its website—

(a)a final report about the material issues for the proposed distribution network code; and

(b)a final version of the proposed distribution network code.

s 39 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)Part 4Disconnection and reconnectionpt 4 div 3 hdg om 2014 SL No. 338 s 50Division 1Preliminary40Application of pt 4(1)This part applies to a distributor in relation to the distributor’s gas infrastructure that is not a distribution system under the NERL (Qld).(2)This part imposes conditions on a distributor, under section 51(1) of the Act.s 40 sub 2014 SL No. 338 s 4641Relevant disconnection requirements under distribution network code applyAny right under this part to disconnect is subject to any relevant limitations or restrictions on, or conditions for the exercise of, disconnection rights under any relevant distribution network code.s 41 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)Division 2Distributors42When distributor may disconnect(1)A distributor may disconnect the premises of a customer of the distributor on a ground mentioned in section 43.(2)The disconnection may be to the extent and for the period that the distributor reasonably believes is appropriate in the circumstances.43Grounds for disconnection by distributorFor section 42(1), the ground is any of the following—

(a)because of an emergency or for a health or safety reason;

(b)the disconnection has been directed under a dangerous situation direction under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act;

(c)to carry out work that needs to be carried out without delay to prevent an emergency or a health or safety incident;

(d)to carry out work to the distributor’s distribution system if—

(i)the work is reasonably required and is done at a reasonable time; and

(ii)the person is given reasonable notice of the disconnection;

(e)a ground for disconnection under a relevant connection contract;

(f)customer connection services to the premises are denied or limited under an insufficiency of supply direction;

(g)the customer has not provided safe access to the premises, as required under section 130 of the Act;

(h)the customer has unlawfully taken processed natural gas in contravention of section 289 of the Act or of the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act, section 809;

(i)a retailer has given the distributor a notice (a disconnection request) requesting the premises be disconnected;

(j)the distributor is Maranoa Regional Council, and the terms of the Council’s exemption from holding a retailer authorisation under the NERL (Qld) allow the Council to disconnect the premises;

(k)the distributor is Western Downs Regional Council, and the terms of the Council’s exemption from holding a retailer authorisation under the NERL (Qld) allow the Council to disconnect the premises.

s 43 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 4744Request by retailer to disconnects 44 amd 2010 Act No. 53 s 258 sch 2om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4845Additional grounds for retailer to request disconnections 45 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 4846When distributor must disconnectIf the distributor receives a disconnection request, the distributor must, within 5 business days, comply with the request unless the distributor reasonably believes it would be unsafe or impractical to comply.47Reconnection(1)This section applies if—

(a)under section 46, the distributor has disconnected a customer’s premises; and

(b)a retailer gives the distributor a notice asking for the premises to be reconnected.

(2)If the relevant processed natural gas installation and meters comply with all requirements under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act and any other Act, the distributor must reconnect the premises within 5 business days.(3)The obligation to reconnect is subject to the limits on the distributor’s obligation to provide customer connection services, under section 109 of the Act.(4)If no connection contract applies to the reconnected services, they must be provided on fair and reasonable terms.s 47 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 4948Compensation for failure to disconnect or reconnect(1)This section applies if a distributor contravenes section 46 or 47 and a person as follows (the claimant) suffers a cost, damage or loss because of the contravention—

(a)a person who wants reconnection of the supply of processed natural gas to the relevant premises;

(b)for section 46—the retailer that made the disconnection request;

(c)for section 47—the retailer that gave the notice asking for the relevant premises to be reconnected.

(2)Compensation for the cost, damage or loss is payable by the distributor to the claimant.(3)The compensation may be claimed and ordered in a proceeding brought in a court of competent jurisdiction.49Notice requirements for disconnections 49 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 5050Obligation to give reconnection notice in particular circumstancess 50 om 2014 SL No. 338 s 50Part 5FeesDivision 1Annual fees51Annual distribution fee—Act, s 40(1)This section prescribes, under section 40(b) of the Act, an amount (the annual distribution fee) payable by the holder of each distribution authority for each financial year during which the authority is in force.(2)If the total length of pipelines operated or maintained under the authority immediately before a financial year starts is less than 100km, the annual distribution fee for the financial year is $768.00.(3)Otherwise, the annual distribution fee for a financial year is the amount worked out using the formula—DF = 64,045.38 x P/TPwhere—DF is the annual distribution fee, in dollars.P is the length in kilometres of pipelines operated or maintained under the authority immediately before the financial year started.TP is the total length in kilometres of all pipelines operated or maintained under any distribution authority immediately before the financial year started.(4)Subsection (5) applies, despite subsections (2) and (3), if the authority takes effect after a financial year starts.(5)The amount for the financial year as worked out under subsection (2) or (3) must be rateably reduced to reflect the period from the start of the year to when the authority took effect as if a reference in the subsection to the start of the year were a reference to the taking of effect of the authority.(6)The annual distribution fee for a financial year is payable on the day the regulator fixes by a notice to the holder.(7)The day may be any day, including a day in the financial year.(8)However, the day can not be a day that is before the giving of the notice.s 51 amd 2008 SL No. 192 s 12; 2009 SL No. 73 s 19; 2010 SL No. 116 s 17; 2011 SL No. 93 s 6; 2012 SL No. 94 s 6; 2013 SL No. 85 s 6; 2014 SL No. 138 s 6; 2015 SL No. 59 s 7; 2016 SL No. 93 s 7; 2017 SL No. 74 s 7; 2018 SL No. 63 s 1952Annual retail fee—Act, s 166s 52 amd 2008 SL No. 192 s 13; 2009 SL No. 73 s 20; 2010 SL No. 116 s 18; 2011 SL No. 93 s 7; 2012 SL No. 94 s 7; 2013 SL No. 85 s 7; 2014 SL No. 138 s 7om 2014 SL No. 338 s 51Division 2Other fees53Other feesOther fees payable under the Act are stated in schedule 1.54Internal and external review rightss 54 amd 2009 SL No. 265 s 40om 2014 SL No. 338 s 52Part 6Miscellaneous provisions55Prescribed consultation for pricing investigation report—Act, s 227F(1)For section 227F of the Act, the consultation prescribed for a report on a pricing investigation is the consultation prescribed under part 3, division 2.(2)For subsection (1), part 3, division 2 applies as if—

(a)a reference to the making of the distribution network code were a reference to the giving of the report to the Minister; and

(b)a reference to issues for the proposed distribution network code were a reference to issues for the report; and

(c)a reference to the proposed distribution network code were a reference to the proposed report.

(3)However, part 3, division 2, subdivision 2 applies despite section 31.s 55 amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44 (2)55AExemption from registration for market participation under National Gas (Queensland) Law(1)The holder of an exempted authority is exempted from registration for the National Gas (Queensland) Law, section 91LB(2).(2)Subsection (1) applies despite the holder participating in the Queensland retail gas market in a registrable capacity under the National Gas (Queensland) Law, section 91LA.(3)In this section—commencement means the commencement of this section.excluded distribution authority means—

(a)the distribution authority held by the Maranoa Regional Council immediately before the commencement; or

(b)the distribution authority held by the Western Downs Regional Council immediately before the commencement.

exempted authority means an excluded distribution authority.s 55A ins 2009 SL No. 163 s 5 (retro)amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 53Part 7Repeal and transitional provisions56RepealThe Gas Supply Regulation 2003 SL No. 122 is repealed.57Transitional provision about small customersFor section 326 of the Act, part 2, division 1 (other than section 4), applies for deciding who is a small customer as if a reference in that division to the FRC day were a reference to the day this regulation was notified in the gazette.Schedule 1Other fees for distribution authoritiessection 53$1Application for distribution authority (Act, s 28)385.002Application to amend distribution authority, other than to amend a condition imposed under chapter 2, part 1, division 2 of the Act or to correct a clerical or formal error (Act, s 55)115.203Application to renew distribution authority (Act, s 64)nil4Application to transfer distribution authority (Act, s 68)385.005Application for approval of surrender of distribution authority (Act, s 73)nil6Late payment fee for an annual distribution fee payable under section 51, paid after the day on which payment is required under section 51(6) (Act, s 323)115.20sch 1 sub 2008 SL No. 192 s 14; 2009 SL No. 73 s 21; 2010 SL No. 116 s 19; 2011 SL No. 93 s 8; 2012 SL No. 94 s 8; 2013 SL No. 85 s 8; 2014 SL No. 138 s 8; 2015 SL No. 59 s 8; 2016 SL No. 93 s 8; 2017 SL No. 74 s 8; 2018 SL No. 63 s 20Schedule 2Dictionarysection 3classification ...def classification om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)consumption ...def consumption om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)disconnection request ...def disconnection request om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)final consultation period see section 36(4)(c).FRC day means the FRC day under section 324 of the Act.interim consultation period see section 32(2)(b).issues document see section 32(2)(a).NERL (Qld) see the National Energy Retail Law (Queensland) Act 2014, section 3.def NERL (Qld) ins 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(2)proponent, for a proposed amendment of a distribution network code, see section 25(1).def proponent amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44(1)proposal, for a distribution network code amendment, see section 25(1).def proposal amd 2014 SL No. 338 s 44(1)reclassification application ...def reclassification application om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)relevant retailer ...def relevant retailer om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)supply point ...def supply point om 2014 SL No. 338 s 55(1)