{"id":"sl-2005-8","name":"Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005","slug":"utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"8 of 2005","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173889,"registerId":"act-sl-2005-8-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005","content":"Australian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation\n2005\nSL2005-8\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\nRepublication No 5\nEffective: 14 October 2015\nRepublication date: 14 October 2015\nLast amendment made by A2015-33\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005, made under the\nUtilities Act 2000 (including any amendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3\n(Editorial changes)) as in force on 14 October 2015. It also includes any commencement,\namendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to 14 October 2015.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the\nACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made\nby an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117).\nThe changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law\ninto line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M\nappears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears\nin the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $150 for\nan individual and $750 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation\n2005\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation 2\n3 Dictionary 2\n4 Notes 2\n5 Offences against regulation—application of Criminal Code etc 3\nPart 2 Gas restriction scheme\n6 Approved gas restriction scheme 4\n7 Scope of gas restriction scheme 4\n8 Public inspection of scheme documents 5\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n9 Declaration of gas restriction scheme 5\n10 Utility may impose gas restriction measures 6\n11 Reports on gas restrictions 6\n12 State of emergency 7\nPart 3 Enforcement\n13 Meaning of gas restriction for pt 3 8\n14 Contravening gas restrictions 8\n15 Directions by authorised people 8\n16 Contravening directions of authorised person 9\n17 Ending unauthorised use of gas 9\n18 Damage etc to be minimised 11\n19 Immunity from liability 11\nDictionary 12\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 13\n2 Abbreviation key 13\n3 Legislation history 14\n4 Amendment history 15\n5 Earlier republications 16\n\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation\n2005\nmade under the\nUtilities Act 2000\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of regulation\nThis regulation is the Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005.\n3 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this regulation is part of this regulation.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this regulation defines certain terms used in\nthis regulation, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other\nterms defined elsewhere.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘emergency controller—see the\nEmergencies Act 2004, dictionary’ means that the term ‘emergency\ncontroller’ is defined in that dictionary and the definition applies to this\nregulation.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire regulation unless the definition, or another provision of the\nregulation, provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise\nappears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n4 Notes\nA note included in this regulation is explanatory and is not part of\nthis regulation.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of\nnotes.\n\nPreliminary Part 1\nSection 5\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Offences against regulation—application of Criminal\nCode etc\nOther legislation applies in relation to offences against this\nregulation.\nNote 1 Criminal Code\nThe Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this regulation\n(see Code, pt 2.1).\nThe chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility\n(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms\nused for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,\nrecklessness and strict liability).\nNote 2 Penalty units\nThe Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties\nthat are expressed in penalty units.\n\nPart 2 Gas restriction scheme\nSection 6\npage 4 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Gas restriction scheme\n6 Approved gas restriction scheme\n(1) The Minister may approve a scheme to restrict the use of gas (the\napproved gas restriction scheme) if satisfied that the scheme is\nnecessary, if there is a shortage of gas, to—\n(a) facilitate, as far as practicable, the provision of efficient,\nreliable and sustainable gas services by utilities to consumers;\nor\n(b) protect the interests of consumers; or\n(c) manage the safety and security of the gas network and the\nsupply of gas to the network; or\n(d) protect public safety.\n(2) The approved scheme is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.\n7 Scope of gas restriction scheme\n(1) The Minister may approve a gas restriction scheme under section 6\nonly if the scheme provides for a range of restriction measures that\nmay be imposed under the scheme.\n(2) An approved gas restriction scheme may include provision for a\nutility to exempt a consumer from a gas restriction if the restriction\nwould cause the consumer serious detriment.\n\nGas restriction scheme Part 2\nSection 8\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n8 Public inspection of scheme documents\n(1) The director-general must name a place where copies of a document\nor documents setting out the approved gas restriction scheme may\nbe inspected.\n(2) An instrument under subsection (1) is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.\n9 Declaration of gas restriction scheme\n(1) The Minister may declare that an approved gas restriction scheme is\nin force.\n(2) The declaration must state—\n(a) the restriction measures, including their duration or maximum\nduration, that may be imposed under the scheme; and\n(b) that a utility may, under section 10, impose those restriction\nmeasures; and\n(c) the period (not longer than 3 months) the declaration is in\nforce.\n(3) To remove any doubt, the Minister may make more than\n1 declaration in relation to an approved gas restriction scheme.\n(4) A declaration is a notifiable instrument.\nNote 1 A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act.\nNote 2 The power to make a declaration includes the power to repeal the\ndeclaration (see Legislation Act, s 46).\n\nPart 2 Gas restriction scheme\nSection 10\npage 6 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n10 Utility may impose gas restriction measures\n(1) A utility may, in writing, impose gas restriction measures under a\ngas restriction scheme in force under section 9.\nNote A power given under an Act to make a statutory instrument includes the\npower to amend or repeal the instrument (see Legislation Act, s 46).\n(2) The imposition must be in accordance with the approved gas\nrestriction scheme.\n(3) As soon as possible after imposing gas restriction measures, the\nutility must—\n(a) ensure that notice of the imposition is broadcast in the ACT by\ntelevision or radio; and\n(b) give notice of the imposition on the utility’s internet website;\nand\n(c) give public notice of the imposition.\nNote Public notice means notice on an ACT government website or in a daily\nnewspaper circulating in the ACT (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1).\n(4) To remove any doubt, the utility may impose gas restriction\nmeasures more than once under a gas restriction scheme in force\nunder section 9.\n(5) A failure to comply with subsection (3) does not affect the validity\nof the imposition.\n11 Reports on gas restrictions\n(1) The director-general may require a utility to give the\ndirector-general reports about the effectiveness and operation of\nrestrictions imposed by the utility under an approved gas restriction\nscheme.\n\nGas restriction scheme Part 2\nSection 12\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) The requirement may include requirements about the content,\nfrequency and timing of reports.\n(3) A utility must comply with the requirement.\n12 State of emergency\nRestrictions imposed under this regulation have effect subject to the\nexercise of a function by an emergency controller under the\nEmergencies Act 2004.\n\nPart 3 Enforcement\nSection 13\npage 8 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Enforcement\n13 Meaning of gas restriction for pt 3\nIn this part:\ngas restriction means a gas restriction measure imposed under\nsection 9 (Declaration of gas restriction scheme).\n14 Contravening gas restrictions\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) the person is the occupier of premises; and\n(b) gas is used on the premises in contravention of a gas\nrestriction; and\n(c) the gas restriction has been notified under section 10 (Utility\nmay impose gas restriction measures).\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this section if\nthe defendant proves that the defendant did not know the gas\nrestriction had been imposed.\n15 Directions by authorised people\n(1) This section applies if an authorised person believes, on reasonable\ngrounds, that—\n(a) gas has just been used, or is being used, on premises in\ncontravention of a gas restriction; or\n(b) gas has been used on premises in contravention of a gas\nrestriction and that a further contravention is likely.\n\nEnforcement Part 3\nSection 16\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) The authorised person may give the occupier of the premises a\nwritten direction to take action stated in the direction to ensure that\ngas is used at the premises in accordance with the gas restriction.\n(3) It is sufficient if the direction is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n(4) The direction may state a period in which the person must comply\nwith the direction.\n(5) The direction may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n(b) by leaving it, secured conspicuously, at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n16 Contravening directions of authorised person\n(1) A person commits an offence if—\n(a) an authorised person has given the person a direction under\nsection 15; and\n(b) the person contravenes the direction.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.\n17 Ending unauthorised use of gas\n(1) An authorised person may arrange to stop the supply of gas from the\ngas network to premises if the person believes, on reasonable\ngrounds, that the occupier of the premises is contravening a\ndirection under section 15 (Directions by authorised people).\n\nPart 3 Enforcement\nSection 17\npage 10 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) An authorised person may also arrange to stop the supply of gas\nfrom the gas network to premises if the authorised person believes,\non reasonable grounds, that—\n(a) gas is being used on the premises in contravention of a gas\nrestriction; and\n(b) a direction under section 15 is unlikely to end the\ncontravention because, for example—\n(i) the premises are unoccupied (whether temporarily or\npermanently); or\n(ii) after making reasonable inquiries, the authorised person\ncannot find the occupier of the premises; or\n(iii) the occupier is unlikely to comply with the direction; and\n(c) the contravention is likely to continue unless action is taken\nunder this section.\nNote An example is part of the regulation, is not exhaustive and may\nextend, but does not limit, the meaning of the provision in which\nit appears (see Legislation Act, s 126 and s 132).\n(3) The authorised person must give the occupier of the premises a\nwritten notice stating that the supply of gas will be stopped.\n(4) It is sufficient if the notice is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises.\n(5) The notice may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises; or\n(b) by leaving it, secured conspicuously, at the premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n\nEnforcement Part 3\nSection 18\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n18 Damage etc to be minimised\n(1) In the exercise, or purported exercise, of a function under this\nregulation, an authorised person must take all reasonable steps to\nensure that the authorised person causes as little inconvenience,\ndetriment and damage as practicable.\n(2) If an authorised person damages anything in the exercise, or\npurported exercise, of a function under this regulation, the\nauthorised person must give written notice of the particulars of the\ndamage to the person whom the authorised person believes is the\nowner of the thing.\n(3) It is sufficient if the notice is addressed to ‘the occupier’ of the\npremises where the damage happened.\n(4) The notice may also be given—\n(a) by leaving it in the letterbox at the premises where the damage\nhappened; or\n(b) by leaving it, secured conspicuously, at those premises.\nNote For other ways in which the direction may be given, see the Legislation\nAct, pt 19.5.\n19 Immunity from liability\n(1) A utility, an authorised person, or anyone acting under the direction\nof a utility, is not liable for anything done or omitted to be done\nhonestly—\n(a) in the exercise of a function under this regulation; or\n(b) in the reasonable belief that the act or omission was in the\nexercise of a function under this regulation.\n(2) Any liability that, apart from subsection (1), would attach to a\nperson attaches instead to the Territory.\n\nDictionary\npage 12 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 3)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis regulation.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n contravene\n director-general (see s 163)\n Minister (see s 162).\nNote 3 Terms used in this regulation have the same meaning that they have in\nthe Utilities Act 2000 (see Legislation Act, s 148.) For example, the\nfollowing terms are defined in the Utilities Act 2000, dict:\n authorised person\n gas distributor\n premises.\napproved gas restriction scheme—see section 6.\nemergency controller––see the Emergencies Act 2004, dictionary.\ngas restriction, for part 3 (Enforcement)—see section 13.\nutility means gas distributor.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished\nlaw but are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The\ndetails of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced\nexpiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 14 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005 SL2005-8\nnotified LR 13 April 2005\ns 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2005 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 14 April 2005 (s 2)\nas amended by\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2009 A2009-20 sch 3 pt 3.76\nnotified LR 1 September 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 September 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.76 commenced 22 September 2009 (s 2)\nEmergencies Amendment Act 2010 A2010-17 sch 1 pt 1.3\nnotified LR 12 May 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 12 May 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.3 commenced 20 August 2010 (s 2 and CN2010-8)\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.165\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.165 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 A2015-33\nsch 1 pt 1.70\nnotified LR 30 September 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 September 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.70 commenced 14 October 2015 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR5\n14/10/15\nUtilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nCommencement\ns 2 om LA s 89 (4)\nDictionary\ns 3 am A2010-17 amdt 1.9\nApproved gas restriction scheme\ns 6 am A2009-20 amdt 3.220\nPublic inspection of scheme documents\ns 8 am A2009-20 amdt 3.220; A2011-22 amdt 1.459\nDeclaration of gas restriction scheme\ns 9 am A2009-20 amdt 3.220\nUtility may impose gas restriction measures\ns 10 am A2009-20 amdt 3.218; A2015-33 amdt 1.245\nReports on gas restrictions\ns 11 am A2011-22 amdt 1.460\nState of emergency\ns 12 am A2010-17 amdt 1.10\nContravening gas restrictions\ns 14 am A2015-33 amdt 1.246\nDictionary\ndict am A2009-20 amdt 3.219; A2010-17 amdt 1.11; A2011-22\namdt 1.461, amdt 1.462; A2015-33 amdt 1.247\ndef emergency controller ins A2010-17 amdt 1.12\ndef territory controller om A2010-17 amdt 1.13\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 16 Utilities (Gas Restrictions) Regulation 2005\nEffective: 14/10/15\nR5\n14/10/15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications\nare marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication\nNo and date\nEffective Last\namendment\nmade by\nRepublication\nfor\nR1\n14 Apr 2005\n14 Apr 2005–\n21 Sept 2009\nnot amended new regulation\nR2\n22 Sept 2009\n22 Sept 2009–\n19 Aug 2010\nA2009-20 amendments by\nA2009-20\nR3\n20 Aug 2010\n20 Aug 2010–\n30 June 2011\nA2010-17 amendments by\nA2010-17\nR4\n1 July 2011\n1 July 2011–\n13 Oct 2015\nA2011-22 amendments by\nA2011-22\n© Australian Capital Territory 2015","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of managing gas shortages through temporary restriction schemes. The 2015 amendments (A2015-33) were minor technical updates to notification requirements and penalty provisions, not substantive expansions of scope."},"complexity_factors":["Short length — only 19 sections across 3 parts","Minimal defined terms — only 3 specific definitions in the dictionary (approved gas restriction scheme, emergency controller, gas restriction for Part 3), with most terms imported from the parent Utilities Act 2000","Straightforward structure — clear sequential parts (Preliminary, Scheme, Enforcement) without nested divisions","Simple conditional logic — offences are strict liability with a single statutory defence (lack of knowledge), no complex exception hierarchies","Limited cross-referencing — primarily references to the parent Utilities Act 2000 and Emergencies Act 2004 for definitions, no intricate interdependencies"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation lets the ACT Government approve emergency gas‑restriction schemes during shortages, allowing utilities to impose and enforce limits to protect public safety and keep essential services running.\n\nIt affects households, businesses, gas distributors and authorised officers by enabling restrictions, penalties, disconnections and liability protection for honest actions. It’s effectively a gas‑rationing tool to prioritise critical uses and safeguard the network, with time limits and required public notice."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Since enactment the regulation has been amended to add or clarify administrative and enforcement elements: a state‑of‑emergency qualification was inserted (s12); reporting powers for the director‑general were added (s11); timing, notice and repetition rules for declarations and impositions were clarified (s9, s10); and enforcement details (strict liability offences, disconnection powers, and immunity) were adjusted or restated (s14, s16, s17, s19). These amendments materially refined how the original restriction power is exercised and overseen."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to other Acts and external definitions (Legislation Act, Utilities Act, Emergencies Act) increase interpretive burden (see notes; dict).","Multiple instrument types: approved scheme is a disallowable instrument (s6); inspection and declaration instruments are notifiable (s8, s9).","Layered decision‑making: Minister approves scheme (s6) and declares it in force (s9); utilities implement measures (s10); director‑general may require reports (s11).","Time and recurrence rules: declarations limited to ≤3 months but may be made multiple times (s9(2)(c), s9(3)); utilities may impose measures more than once (s10(4)).","Detailed procedural requirements for notice and service (broadcast, website, public notice; and physical delivery options) create practical compliance steps (s10(3); s15(5); s17(3–5); s18(2–4)).","Enforcement mix of administrative action and criminal sanctions: strict liability offences with modest fines (s14(1)–(3); s16(1)–(2)), and power to stop supply (s17).","Immunity and liability transfer: authorised persons and utilities have statutory immunity for honest acts, with residual liability borne by the Territory (s19).","Operational discretion given to ‘authorised persons’ and utilities (directions, disconnections, exemptions) raises implementation variability (s7(2); s15–17).","Reporting and oversight obligations on utilities increase administrative burdens and create monitoring points (s11(1)–(3)).","Use of penalty units and interplay with penalty valuation rules adds technical calculation steps for enforcement (see s14, Legislation Act, s133 note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation lets the Minister approve a formal gas‑use restriction scheme (s6) and, once declared, allows gas distributors (utilities) to impose and publicise restriction measures (s9–10) during gas shortages. It affects utilities, occupiers/consumers and authorised officers: utilities must notify and report on restrictions (s10, s11); authorised persons can give directions, disconnect supply and enforce penalties (s15–17, s14). Declarations are time‑limited (maximum 3 months, s9) and operate subject to emergency powers (s12)."},"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/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005","history":"/api/acts/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005/history","analysis":"/api/acts/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/utilities-gas-restrictions-regulation-2005/documents"}}