New Rail Access Code for fairer access arrangements

Significant changes have been made to the Western Australian Rail Access Regime (the regime), as part of the new Railways (Access) Code 2023 (the Code) that has been introduced.

The regime provides a pathway for parties to access pre-determined privately-owned railways if negotiations are unsuccessful.

These changes help improve the regime's effectiveness, so businesses can transport their products around the State in a timely and cost-effective manner, and railway owners can invest in their railway networks with confidence.

The new Code follows extensive consultation with access seekers, railway owners and government agencies over a number of years, to develop reforms that will enable easier and fairer access to railways.

Key features of the reforms include:

• ensuring access prices are fair for access seekers and railway owners, by changing the asset valuation method;
• ensuring access continues while new agreements are being negotiated, through interim access agreements;
• increasing transparency by requiring more information to be published; and
• making the regulatory process more efficient by adding timeframes and standardising some requirements.

For more details go to Railways (Access) Code 2023.