38NPublic consultation for draft rail access guidelines and proposed rail access maximum prices

38N Public consultation for draft rail access guidelines and proposed rail access maximum prices

(1) This section applies if the Minister proposes to—

(a) prepare rail access guidelines; or

(b) specify maximum prices under section 38J or new maximum prices under section 38K.

(2) Before preparing rail access guidelines, specifying maximum prices under section 38J or new maximum prices under section 38K, the Minister must—

(a) prepare a draft of the guidelines or a draft of a notice under section 38J or 38K (a consultation draft); and

(b) invite submissions and comments from the public in accordance with this section on the consultation draft.

(3) The Minister must—

(a) cause notice of a consultation draft to be published—

(i) in a newspaper circulating generally throughout the State; and

(ii) on the Department's Internet site; and

(b) cause copies of a consultation draft to be made available to the public on the Department's Internet site; and

(c) make copies of a consultation draft available for inspection free of charge at the Department's offices.

(4) A notice under subsection (3)(a) must—

(a) include a summary of the content of the consultation draft; and

(b) specify the date by which a submission or comment must be made to the Minister; and

(c) specify how a submission or comment must be made; and

(d) specify that copies of the consultation draft are available—

(i) on the Department's Internet site; and

(ii) at the Department's offices during business hours free of charge.

(5) The period of time between publication of the notice and the date specified in the notice must not be less than 30 days.