{"id":"tas:sr-2003-079","name":"Gas (Exclusive Distribution Franchise) Order 2003","slug":"gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"79 of 2003","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":318306,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2003-079-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> This order may be cited as the [Gas (Exclusive Distribution Franchise) Order 2003](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2003-079) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> This order takes effect on the day on which its making is notified in the *Gazette*.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"### 3 Interpretation\n\n> In this order –\n> \n> > ***Act*** means [Gas Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2000-092) ;\n> \n> > ***franchisee*** means Powerco Tasmania Pty Ltd (ACN 104 499 569);\n> \n> > ***related body corporate*** has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Determination of exclusive franchisee","content":"### 4 Determination of exclusive franchisee\n\n> > (1)  It is determined that Powerco Tasmania Pty Ltd (ACN 104 499 569) should have an exclusive franchise to construct and operate a distribution system or systems in Tasmania, the extent of the franchise being as specified below.\n> \n> > (2)  The exclusive franchise extends to the construction and operation of a distribution system or systems to supply natural gas to or for consumption at (in either case whether directly or indirectly) the land described in the titles listed in column 1 (or any immediately adjoining land if that land is owned, used, leased or occupied by the occupier of the first-mentioned land or a related body corporate of that occupier) of –\n> > \n> > > > (a) the table in [Part 1](#JS1@HS1@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) (the \"**Unconditional Franchise**\"); and\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the table in [Part 2](#JS1@HS2@EN) of [Schedule 1](#JS1@EN) (with the franchise in respect of each such customer being referred to as a \"**Conditional Franchise**\").\n> \n> > (3)  The Unconditional Franchise continues until the first of the following things happens:\n> > \n> > > > (a) the expiration of 7 years from 30 April 2003;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the surrender or cancellation under the Act of any licence issued to the franchisee under the Act which gives effect to the franchise;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the revocation of this order.\n> \n> > (4)  Each Conditional Franchise continues until the first of the following things happens:\n> > \n> > > > (a) the expiration of 7 years from 30 April 2003;\n> > > \n> > > > (b) the surrender or cancellation under the Act of any licence issued to the franchisee under the Act which gives effect to the franchise;\n> > > \n> > > > (c) the revocation of this order;\n> > > \n> > > > (d) the expiration of 18 months from 30 April 2003 if by that time the franchisee has not commissioned a distribution system which is capable of supplying gas in accordance with the Act to the land to which the Conditional Franchise applies.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"SCHEDULE 1 - Particulars of ti","sectionType":"part","heading":"SCHEDULE 1 - Particulars of title","content":"# SCHEDULE 1 - Particulars of ti SCHEDULE 1 - Particulars of title\n\n[Clause 4](#GS4@EN)","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"# Part 1\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| Folio of the register | Registered owner or leaseholder on making of this order |\n| Volume 42961, Folio 3 | ACL Properties Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 110411, Folio 1 | Australian Hospital Care (MSH) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 40214, Folio 1 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 40214, Folio 2 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 40214, Folio 3 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 40215, Folio 2 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 40216, Folio 1 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 252493, Folio 1 | Australian National Hotels Ltd |\n| Volume 126524, Folio 1 | Tasmania Development and Resources |\n| Volume 131181, Folio 1 | Betta Milk Co-operative Society Limited |\n| Volume 42854, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37771, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 2 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 3 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 4 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 5 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 6 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 7 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37768, Folio 8 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 247789, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37773, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37773, Folio 2 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 42186, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 42186, Folio 2 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 63667, Folio 4 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37772, Folio 1 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37772, Folio 2 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37772, Folio 3 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37772, Folio 4 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 37772, Folio 5 | J Boag & Son Brewing Ltd |\n| Volume 122164, Folio 1 | Carter Holt Harvey Wood Products Australia Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 131068, Folio 1 | The Corporation of the Little Company of Mary |\n| Volume 65649, Folio 1 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 1 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 2 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 3 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 4 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 11 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 32456, Folio 35 | Cripps Nubake Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 197054, Folio 1 | The Crown |\n| Volume 197340, Folio 1 | The Crown |\n| Volume 210462, Folio 1 | The Crown |\n| Volume 136566, Folio 1 | The Crown |\n| Volume 131391, Folio 1 | The Crown |\n| UPI 2110544 | The Crown |\n| UPI 2110546 | The Crown |\n| Volume 12592, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 245094, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 226629, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 249939, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 249939, Folio 2 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 249939, Folio 3 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 198336, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 118433, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 198280, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 209032, Folio 1 | Electrolytic Zinc Company of Australasia Ltd |\n| Volume 26351, Folio 1 | Hotel Grand Chancellor (Hobart) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 43489, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 66023, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 101009, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 101013, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 101013, Folio 3 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 22026, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 22026, Folio 2 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 22026, Folio 4 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 22026, Folio 5 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 22026, Folio 8 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 38098, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 43451, Folio 1 | Lactos Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 249938, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 249938, Folio 2 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 117774, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 128861, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 128862, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 130554, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 118892, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 123532, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 123531, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 123530, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 136323, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 1 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 3 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 4 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 5 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 6 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 7 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 8 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 122291, Folio 9 | Pasminco Australia Limited |\n| Volume 127085, Folio 1 | Tascot Templeton Carpets Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 20213, Folio 4 | Tasmanian Country Club-Casino Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 119422, Folio 1 | Tasmanian Country Club-Casino Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 33678, Folio 1 | Tasmanian Country Club-Casino Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 111142, Folio 1 | Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Co Pty Ltd |","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":null,"content":"# Part 2\n\n| Column 1 | Column 2 |\n| Folio of the register | Registered owner or leaseholder on making of this order |\n| Volume 197160, Folio 1 | Koppers Timber Preservation Pty Limited |\n| Volume 197160, Folio 2 | Koppers Timber Preservation Pty Limited |\n| Volume 196864, Folio 1 | Koppers Timber Preservation Pty Limited |\n| Volume 53873, Folio 4 | Koppers Timber Preservation Pty Limited |\n| Volume 86345, Folio 1 | Paper Australia Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 230667, Folio 1 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 54242, Folio 1 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 128346, Folio 1 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 127128, Folio 1 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 127128, Folio 2 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 127128, Folio 3 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 127128, Folio 4 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 127130, Folio 1 | SBA Foods Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 120679, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 9433, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 212498, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 214305, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 122466, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 122466, Folio 2 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 203417, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 214225, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 121065, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 47482, Folio 1 | Simplot Australia (Properties) Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 135150, Folio 1 | Tasmanian Alkaloids Pty Ltd |\n| Volume 108788, Folio 1 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n| Volume 233547, Folio 1 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n| Volume 208452, Folio 1 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n| Volume 62914, Folio 1 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n| Volume 246976, Folio 1 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n| Volume 42257, Folio 2 | United Milk Tasmania Ltd |\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 15 July 2003\n\nThis order is administered in the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources.","sortOrder":6}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument, as drafted, confines the exclusive distribution franchise to the named company and the listed properties with specified temporal and commissioning conditions. The Order itself does not indicate any change from that stated determination; it sets the scope and termination triggers without expanding or narrowing them elsewhere in the text."},"complexity_factors":["Designates a single named franchisee and ties rights to a long list of specific land titles (cl 4; Schedule 1).","Creates two franchise types (Unconditional and Conditional) with different termination triggers, including an 18‑month commissioning deadline for Conditional franchises (cl 4(2)–(4)).","Relies on licences issued under the Gas Act to give effect to, or to terminate, the franchise (cl 3; cl 4(3)–(4)).","Administrative actions (revocation, licence surrender/cancellation) determine continuity but the Order gives no procedural detail on those processes (cl 4).","Operational and commercial details (pricing, connection obligations, construction standards) are outside the Order and depend on licences and other law, requiring coordination across instruments."],"plain_english_summary":"This Order gives **Powerco Tasmania Pty Ltd** an exclusive right to construct and operate natural‑gas distribution systems to supply the specific land titles listed in Schedule 1. The exclusivity is split into \"Unconditional\" and \"Conditional\" franchises and runs until the earlier of a 7‑year expiry from 30 April 2003, licence surrender/cancellation under the Gas Act, or revocation; Conditional franchises also lapse if no supply‑capable system is commissioned within 18 months (cl 4)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available text, the order appears to have remained unchanged since its commencement on 15 July 2003. No amending instruments have altered its original scope, suggesting it continues to serve its original purpose of granting an exclusive gas distribution franchise in Tasmania."},"complexity_factors":["Minimal legislative text is reproduced — the order's actual operative clauses are not shown, limiting full analysis","Sits within a broader regulatory framework (the Gas Act and related Tasmanian legislation) that must be understood for full context","Involves technical energy regulation concepts (exclusive franchise, distribution networks) that require background knowledge","Relatively narrow and specific in scope, reducing overall complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"The Order grants a single company the sole legal right to distribute gas through a specified Tasmanian network, creating a regulated monopoly over that infrastructure. It locks out competitors while imposing legal obligations on the franchised provider.\n\nThis affects Tasmanian gas consumers, the designated company, and potential rivals, and matters because gas networks are costly to duplicate. The franchise has been in force since 15 July 2003."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Order appears to serve its original purpose of establishing initial exclusive gas distribution franchises for specific industrial customers in Tasmania. The scope remains tightly focused on the named franchisee and the specific land titles listed in 2003. There is no evidence of scope creep; the instrument is a straightforward implementation of the Gas Act 2000's franchise mechanism."},"complexity_factors":["Only 3 defined terms in the interpretation section","Simple binary structure: Unconditional vs Conditional Franchises with clear termination triggers","Extensive but straightforward tabular data in Schedule 1 (land titles and owners)","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing beyond basic references to the parent Gas Act 2000","Single operative clause (clause 4) with parallel subclauses for the two franchise types","Minimal conditional logic—primarily 'whichever happens first' termination events"],"plain_english_summary":"This Order gives **Powerco Tasmania Pty Ltd** the exclusive right to build and operate natural gas pipelines to supply specific businesses in Tasmania.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates two types of exclusive supply arrangements:\n  - **Unconditional Franchise**: Powerco has 7 years (from 30 April 2003) to supply gas to major industrial sites listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1—including breweries, hotels, zinc smelters, hospitals, and government land.\n  - **Conditional Franchise**: Similar 7-year rights for sites in Part 2, but these expire after 18 months if Powerco hasn't actually built the pipeline to that site by then.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Powerco Tasmania**: Gets protected monopoly rights to supply gas to these specific properties, meaning no competitor can build rival pipelines to these sites during the franchise period.\n- **The listed businesses**: They must buy gas from Powerco (if they want gas at all) rather than choosing alternative suppliers.\n- **Adjacent land**: The franchise also covers land immediately next to the listed properties if owned or used by the same company (or a related company).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis was designed to kick-start Tasmania's natural gas industry by giving one company certainty that its pipeline investment wouldn't be undercut by competitors. The 'exclusive franchise' model means these businesses couldn't shop around for cheaper gas supply during the protected period. The Order has likely expired (the 7-year term ended in 2010), but it established the initial market structure for gas distribution in Tasmania."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003","history":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/gas-exclusive-distribution-franchise-order-2003/documents"}}