Underground pit and pipe is used to deliver telecommunications cabling to homes and businesses. Most developers do the right thing and install this important facility. However, a small number are not doing this, causing inconvenience and added costs for property occupants.

How it works

Why we want your input
We want your views on the proposed options, including the likely costs and benefits. This will help us in advising whether changes are needed to boost the installation of pit and pipe for telecommunications.
How you can voice your opinion
You can voice your opinion by providing comments or a submission to this public consultation process. Submissions are requested by 12 pm AEST on Tuesday 29 September 2020.
What will be the outcome of this consultation?
Your feedback will inform the Government on whether to proceed with one or more of the options, including legislation.

Consultation Information

Consultation tabs

The Issue
Consultation Period:  August 31, 2020 09:00 AEST to September 29, 2020 12:00 AEST

Underground pit and pipe is used to deliver telecommunications cabling to homes and businesses. Most developers do the right thing and install this important facility. However, a small number are not doing this, causing inconvenience and added costs for property occupants.

The Government wants to address this.

The options include:

  • further awareness-raising and work with state and territory Governments
  • extending current pit and pipe legislation to unincorporated developers;
  • requiring all developers to disclose whether they have installed pit and pipe, or an exemption applies; and
  • enabling people to seek compensation from developers if pit and pipe have not been installed, or are defective and need to be rectified.

Relevant Documentation

Regulation Impact Statement, Consultation Draft

Published 31st Aug 2020

Download PDF (232.53 KB) Download DOC (36.58 KB)
Proposed amendments to Part 20A of the Telecommunications Act 1997 to reduce delays and costs to consumers

Exposure draft of Bill

Published 31st Aug 2020

Download PDF (127.94 KB) Download DOC (88 KB)
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Infrastructure in New Developments) Bill 2020 (Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) A Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to telecommunications, and for other purposes

Participate

Started August 31, 2020 09:00 AEST
Ends September 29, 2020 12:00 AEST
Days Remaining 3 of 29
Open

Formal Submission

We invite you to to tell us your views on this topic.

Please include:

  • contact name
  • organisation name, if applicable
  • contact details, including telephone number, postal and email addresses
  • confirmation whether or not your submission can be made public—published—or kept confidential.

All submissions to be made public need to meet the Digital Service Standard for accessibility. Any submission that does not meet this standard may be modified before being made public.

If your submission is to be made public, please ensure you do not include any personal information that you don't want to be published.

More information on how the department handles your personal information is available.

If your submission is confidential, please ensure each page of the submission is marked as confidential.

Please click on the 'Have your say now' button below to upload your submission.

Alternatively please email your completed template submission to New.developments@communications.gov.auor send it to:

Director
USG Implementation
USG Taskforce
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601