State regime for Pilbara rail access on the backburner

<p>Western Australia’s state haulage regime &#8211 part of long-awaited access for junior miners to BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s iron ore rail lines &#8211 might not meet two deadlines, despite 18 months of discussion. </p> <p>The <em> West Australian</em> reported this week that a committee set up to put together a draft regime for the Pilbara rail lines was unlikely to complete the task before the July deadline.</p> <p>A spokesman for WA resources minister Eric Ripper, said: &#8220The current timetable has a draft regime being circulated for public comment occurring in July, though it is possible this may slip a little, with a regime for consideration of government by year end.&#8221</p> <p>The regime is unlikely to be finalised by the end of the year, meaning junior miners could have to wait until 2010 for access to the critical rail infrastructure to move their product because of protracted negotiations with BHP.</p> <p>Federal treasurer Peter Costello effectively prompted the push for a state access regime when he chose to reject a National Competition Council recommendation that the rail be opened up to third parties.</p> <p>Mr Costello did not meet a May 2006 deadline and by default, left groups such as Fortescue Metals with no option other than to pursue a state access regime.</p> <p>BHP had fought against allowing Fortescue access to a 295-km section of its Pilbara rail lines. </p> <br />