Page 1657 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2017
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services in the ACT, developing proposed legislative changes to ensure a robust regulatory framework is in place for the future management of the network, and developing a framework agreement between the ACT government and the ACT electricity distributor.
The background to this bill is that in late 2015 the government undertook an expression of interest procurement process to seek input from industry on the best way forward for the ACT streetlight network. The EOI process allowed the government to gather valuable information from industry on how to secure a more efficient and effective streetlight network for the territory.
Following the EOI process, the government decided to take a new approach towards how streetlights are managed in the territory. The new approach, which forms the basis for the procurement process currently underway, will involve an energy performance contract that encompasses a complete management solution for the territory’s network.
For the period of the contract, expected to be seven to 10 years, the successful proponent will be required to: operate and maintain the complete ACT government streetlight network, implement a strategic energy efficiency upgrade of the streetlight network to LED technology, and establish flexible smart city backbone infrastructure.
On this basis, the government released a request for proposals in late 2016, followed by a request for tender for shortlisted proponents in early 2017. The government is now in the last stages of the procurement process, where shortlisted proponents will be undertaking a detailed study of the territory’s streetlight network, before providing a final proposal to the government. It is expected that the new contract will be in place for the management of the network in the second half of 2017.
Madam Speaker, the Utilities (Streetlight Network) Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 that I have presented today forms part of the broader work undertaken to strengthen and improve the regulatory framework in which streetlights operate in the territory. This bill introduces important amendments that will help support the revised approach to managing the territory’s streetlight network.
The bill builds on the existing regulatory framework by clarifying aspects of key legislation, in particular to remove any ambiguity about the regulatory environment in which the successful proponent from the current procurement process will operate. Furthermore, in developing the bill, the government also undertook consultation with key stakeholders.
The bill proposes amendments to two acts, which create the regulatory framework for the streetlight network in the territory: the Utilities Act 2000 and the Electrical Safety Act 1971.
The proposed amendments to the Utilities Act contained within the bill are designed to: ensure access to streetlight infrastructure is uniform for any streetlight services provider; clarify the current streetlight network definition, to ensure a clear distinction is made between the streetlight network and the electricity distribution network;
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