The Economic Regulation Authority has published its final decision for the access arrangement for the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline, which is one of the largest natural gas transmission pipelines in Australia.
The Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) takes gas from the major producers in the North-West down the coast to Perth and Bunbury, supplying gas-fired electricity generators and major industry, and connecting to ATCO’s distribution network to supply households across the South-West.
The DBNGP is operated by Dampier Bunbury Pipeline (DBP), a subsidiary of the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group.
Under the ERA’s final decision, the average tariff will increase by 33 per cent on 1 January 2026, in a single step change, then is expected to remain relatively flat over the remaining four years of the access arrangement. The increase in tariffs is driven largely by inflation and a higher rate of return.
DBP’s haulage reference tariffs are paid by its customers, which are large producers and purchasers of gas. The State Government sets the maximum amount that households can be charged for their gas. Transmission costs make up between 5 and 10 per cent of the average household gas bill.
The ERA has carefully scrutinised DBP’s proposed operating expenditure on the pipeline for the next five years, cutting it by $45.1 million from DBP’s initial proposal, which has helped to mitigate tariff increases.
The new access arrangement will take effect on 1 January 2026.