The Act affects a concentric set of participants in the gas supply chain, plus landowners and excavators.
Network operators: Reticulators and distributors are the primary regulated entities. They require Ministerial authorisations or licences to operate distribution pipelines (reticulators) or distribution systems (distributors) (ss 5, 34, 6, 35). Conditions include membership of the designated information provider (s 64B), compliance with market operations rules where applicable (s 33L(3)), payment of annual fees (ss 15, 44), and cyber‑security directions (s 76A) where issued by the Minister.
Retailers and shippers: Retailers and shippers are potentially scheme participants under market operations rules (s 33K(1)(d1)). Retailers supply customers under customer supply contracts which the regulations must prescribe standards for (s 83(3)(a)-(d)). The energy ombudsman scheme interacts with retail disputes (s 11A).
Customers and small retail customers: Customers are protected through licensing and regulatory conditions that require consideration of consumer interests (s 3(3)(e)), access to ombudsman decisions (s 11A), and protections in regulations for customer contracts, billing and debt collection procedures (s 83(3)). Customers face obligations as well, e.g. prohibition on abstracting gas without a retailer contract (s 65) and duties to notify of pipeline damage if caused by them (s 64D).
Local councils, roads authorities and landowners: Network operators may undertake work on public roads (s 47), but must give notice and allow councils at least 40 days to make submissions except in emergencies (s 47(4)). If gas works damage public roads/reserves, councils/roads authorities may require remedial work and recover costs (s 48). Landowners and occupiers who control structures adjoining gas works must comply with modification/removal notices and may be liable for costs (ss 49-50AA, 50AB).
Excavators, builders and developers: Persons proposing excavation in prescribed areas must contact the designated information provider and meet procedural requirements (s 64C). Failure attracts penalties and potential cost recovery. Inspectors may serve notice or prevent excavation to protect gas works (s 50A, s 63B).
Inspectors and authorised officers: Government inspectors (appointed by the Minister) and gas industry inspectors (appointed by network operators within guidelines) exercise statutory powers of entry, direction and information requisition (s 77). Their actions can affect businesses and private individuals, including power to seize items, require attendance and answers, and to give directions to ensure safe gas supply (ss 55, 63A, 63B, 63C, 63E).
Tribunal and Minister: The Minister decides on grant/transfer/conditions of authorisations and licences, approves market operations rules, imposes penalties, and may issue cyber‑security directions (ss 9, 11, 33K, 13, 76A). The Tribunal carries regulatory functions: monitoring, reporting, making recommendations and imposing penalties or remedial requirements (ss 75A, 13A, 42A). Appeals and administrative review rights attach to certain Ministerial and Tribunal decisions (ss 17, 17A, 45, 45A).
Third parties and designated information providers: Dial Before You Dig NSW/ACT or prescribed providers are central to excavation and pipeline safety (s 64A, 64B). Scheme operators under market rules (s 33LA) and designated information providers (s 64F) receive limited civil liability protection for acts in good faith or unless negligent.
Who pays: holders of authorisations and licences must pay annual fees (ss 15, 44). Persons responsible for damage or obstruction to gas works may be required to pay for removal or repair and may be ordered by a court to compensate network operators when convicted (ss 50AA, 50AB, 64E). Applicants pay application fees set by the Minister (ss 7, 36, 12(3), 41(3)).