Under the SIPD, the State has no obligation to certify Commercial Acceptance prior to the Original Date for Commercial Acceptance. This is to manage the budgetary implications of early Commercial Acceptance. Further, there is often minimal benefit to the State of an early completion where it has significant commissioning activities it must undertake itself, including engagement of new staff and transfer from an existing asset. Other considerations, such as the best time of the year to transition patients from existing hospitals and school terms, also reduce the benefits to the State of any early Commercial Acceptance.
The LIPD allows the Independent Reviewer to certify Commercial Acceptance before the Original Date for Commercial Acceptance. The State recognises that there may be productivity benefits associated with early Commercial Acceptance of linear infrastructure that may outweigh any budgetary or operational implications. However, this should be considered on a project specific basis taking into account whether there are other constraints that would prevent the asset from being fully operational from any early Date of Commercial Acceptance.