Rising fuel uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict is hitting family-run businesses across regional Queensland, with one farmer already facing a potential $250,000 loss.
In the small border town of Texas, both service stations ran out of petrol and diesel on Monday, while a bulk supplier reported dwindling stocks.
Farmers, workers, and small businesses were left scrambling to secure fuel to keep essential operations running.
Authorities say the supply crunch is due to a sudden spike in demand, not a shortage of fuel across Australia.
Lyle Bellingham relies on diesel to irrigate feed crops and run a feed mill. (ABC Rural: Brandon Long)
Feedlot owner Lyle Bellingham said the uncertainty forced his family to make a tough and costly decision.
“We made the decision on Sunday morning to turn the irrigators off once we knew there was not enough diesel,” he said.
The move meant an earlier harvest of livestock feed crops, a step he estimated would cost the business heavily in lost production.
“It’ll probably come to about $250,000, which is significant,” he said.
Mr Bellingham’s family-run operation manages up to 10,000 head of cattle and sheep and relies heavily on diesel to run feed mills, irrigation systems, and farm machinery due to an unreliable power network.
Under normal conditions, work on the farm consumes at least 5,000 litres of fuel each week, typically costing around $9,000, with demand higher during peak farming periods.
Without fuel ‘there is no food’
Mr Bellingham said rural industries could not function without reliable fuel supplies.
“If we don’t have fuel out here there is no food. It’s pretty simple,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.”
At the town’s Metro Petroleum, owner Diana Colley said the station emptied quickly on Monday as customers rushed to fill tanks and containers.
“It’s quite unprecedented and it’s quite stressful for us, my staff and the community,” she said.
“It was quite frenzied here — everyone trying to get fuel.”
Diana Colley’s service station ran out of fuel on Monday, but after pleas from the public, it was restocked today. (ABC Rural: Brandon Long)
Ms Colley said the community felt overlooked during the crisis.
“They can’t just forget about us,” she said.Call answered
Two major fuel distributors, noticing the town’s struggles, stepped in to secure extra supplies.
Today, Ms Colley received a much-needed restock.
Seeing the tanker arrive, she described the moment as “pure relief”.
“Everyone who saw the tanker turn up just had relief and happiness,” she said.
“The phone hasn’t stopped all day. At least we’re able to say: ‘Yes, we have fuel — so come to town.'”
Bulk fuel supplier Warwick Trim is relieved after fuel distributors confirmed they could supply him. (ABC Rural: Brandon Long)
Warwick Trim, from Texas Bulk Fuel, which supplies locals including Mr Bellingham, said the situation was close to critical before the additional supplies were confirmed.
“Dire would be the best way to describe it,” he said.
He said hundreds of rural properties relied on diesel for generators, pumps, tractors and heavy vehicles.
“The industries that use it are enormous,” he said.
Trawlers docked
Other sectors are also feeling the pressure.
Uncertainty around diesel supply has spread across Mooloolaba’s wharf, with fisheries operators saying they are receiving mixed messages from fuel suppliers.
Paul Schenk is urging both operators and the public to avoid panic-buying fuel. (Supplied: Paul Schenk)
Mooloolaba Fisheries general manager Paul Schenk said uncertainty among operators was adding to anxiety within the industry, with the cost of fuel already placing heavy pressure on fishing businesses.
“Imagine filling your boat with 30,000 litres of fuel and the price had just doubled — that was a really big hit in your back pocket,” Mr Schenk said.
He warned that ongoing uncertainty around fuel supply and rising diesel prices could ultimately affect seafood availability and prices for consumers.
Queensland Seafood Industry Association CEO David Bobbermen said they needed to see guaranteed supply and price relief.
“We need to talk urgently with the federal government about fuel distribution and price relief to keep the industry afloat and avoid a crisis for fishing businesses and other primary producers,” he said.
‘No supply issues’
Economists say panic buying may also be making the problem worse.
Dr Ian Jeffreys, from RACQ, said Australia’s fuel supply had not dramatically changed.
“We’ve repeatedly said there are no supply issues. The same amount of fuel is coming into Australia as the week before,” he said.
St George resident Maricka Murphy says fuel prices are “out of control” in the town. (ABC Southern Qld: Dan McCray)
For residents in rural towns like St George, where long distances make fuel essential, the rising prices are already biting.
“It’s pretty important. It’s how the world keeps going and how the town keeps running,” said 19-year-old Maricka Murphy.
“The way the economy’s going, I can barely afford to live.”