23rd May 2006 07:00
BHP Billiton PLC23 May 2006 23 May 2006 Number 18/06 BHP BILLITON WELCOMES DECISION NOT TO DECLARE MT NEWMAN RAIL LINE BHP Billiton today welcomed the decision by the Federal Treasurer, the Hon.Peter Costello MP, to effectively reject a recommendation by the NationalCompetition Council to declare open access to the company's Mt Newman railwaytracks. BHP Billiton CEO, Chip Goodyear, said the decision reflected recommendationsfrom the Hilmer Committee and the Prime Minister's Export InfrastructureTaskforce that access declarations be applied "sparingly" and in carefullylimited circumstances (which is why Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act isdrafted in a way that requires that the decision maker must be satisfied thatall of the criteria are met before infrastructure is declared - that is, anydoubt must lead to a decision not to declare). "BHP Billiton has invested more than $2 billion (in today's dollars) developingour rail line in conjunction with our mine and port operations, as atechnologically sophisticated and integrated production process. Thisinvestment has been supported by our more than 350,000 shareholders and themillions of people standing behind the superannuation funds. Their support iscritical as we look for additional opportunities to expand our activitiesfurther. This decision should help in continuing to retain their support, whilealso helping to ensure the ongoing integrity and reliability of the system." Mr Goodyear also pointed out that a State-based access regime for providing railhaulage services already existed. "This is a very practical and efficient system that will be much less disruptiveto the efficiency of the existing operations. We will continue to work with theWestern Australian Government to improve this system further." Mr Goodyear said that if any appeal was lodged, the company would continue tovigorously defend its position. "In the case of an appeal, we are confident that the ultimate outcome will bedetermined in accordance with Australia's best interests. That is, the railwayline will not be declared," he said. Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:www.bhpbilliton.com Australia United KingdomSamantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 Tel: +44 20 7802 4156 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media RelationsTel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: +61 417 031 653 Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246email: [email protected] email: [email protected] United States South AfricaTracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Alison Gilbert, Investor RelationsTel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031 Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802 4183Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 email: [email protected]: [email protected] Billiton Limited ABN 49 004 028 077 BHP Billiton Plc Registration number 3196209Registered in Australia Registered in England and WalesRegistered Office: Level 27, 180 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Registered Office: Neathouse Place London SW1V 1BHVictoria 3000 United KingdomTelephone +61 1300 554 757 Facsimile +61 3 9609 3015 Telephone +44 20 7802 4000 Facsimile +44 20 7802 4111 The BHP Billiton Group is headquartered in Australia This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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