For essential infrastructure, a Last Resort Provider must be designated to step in and provide the essential services if the essential service provider (i.e. the registered operator and/or registered retailer) fails. The Minister for Water may declare that the essential service provider has failed if no other arrangement is in place for continuing provision of the essential services.
During a declared failure, the Last Resort Provider and failed essential service provider need to take actions required by the Contingency Plan. The Contingency Plan sets out the information needed by the Last Resort Provider to operate the infrastructure and continue to provide the essential services.
Notification of the preparation of a Contingency Plan
Once the Minister designates a Last Resort Provider for a scheme, an essential service provider has 15 business days to give notice to IPART if they intend to prepare the Contingency Plan.
To make the notification, an essential service provider must complete and submit to IPART this notification form, including the declaration.