Towns in regional WA have begun rationing fuel, selling it for emergency purposes only as the war in the Middle East begins to impact the state.
Drivers in at least two small towns are now barred from buying fuel, with supply reserved for emergency and essential services only.
A note on a fuel bowser in Geraldton explains the reason behind the price increase. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
On Monday, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said panic buying, not supply issues, was behind fuel shortages in parts of regional Australia, while WA Premier Roger Cook said there were “no constraints on supply chains” in WA.
At the same time, a number of fuel wholesalers began to ration their stock.
Rationing in place
In the Wheatbelt town of Kulin, 310 kilometres south-east of Perth, the shire-owned Kulin Fuel facility said temporary restrictions were in place, in a post on social media.
Less than 60 kilometres north of Kulin, Corrigin roadhouse owner Scott Coppin said the local BP closed to customers on Monday, refuelling only emergency vehicles.
“That obviously pushes more business towards our way and more demand on our fuel needs,” he told ABC Radio Perth.
“At any time, probably 10 to 15 minimum cars [were] lined up tyring to get fuel and filling up jerry cans.”
Fuel prices in Geraldton this week have spiked. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
Mr Coppin said business at his roadhouse had been “crazy”, causing him to put 30-litre limit on unleaded fuel, and a 200-litre limit on diesel until he could secure more fuel.
“It was like a scene out of a movie,” he said.
“It was quite unreal to watch people lining up. We don’t normally see that … maybe on an Easter long weekend or something, but not just on a regular old Monday.”
‘No control over it’
In Geraldton, 420 kilometres north of Perth, the local manager of a bulk fuel supplier told the ABC he had been directed to deliver only half of what each customer had ordered.
Brad Symington manages a bulk fuel supplier based in WA. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
“So, if they’ve ordered 20,000 litres, I’m giving them 10 [thousand litres],” Great Southern Fuels rural transport manager Brad Symington said.
“I’ve never seen this like this ever in my whole lifetime, where fuel was being restricted to where we are at the moment.”
Mr Symington said it would affect everyone from motorists to the agriculture and mining sectors.
“A lot of customers are unhappy about it, but we we’ve got no control over it,” he said.
“It’s been directed down that if we do not adhere to this strictly, that we’ll be cut off totally, and that’s the worst-case scenario.”
Some service stations have closed pumps. (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
Mr Symington said the BP-owned company had 180 pending orders and would not take any more on until they were fulfilled.
BP has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile trucking industry advocacy group Western Roads Federation said truck drivers could not get enough fuel to transport goods in regional areas, which would severely disrupt farming activity.
Cam Dumesny said truck drivers were facing price hikes and restrictions which would have a flow-on effect throughout regional communities. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)
Chief executive Cam Dumesny said his members were reporting the price of bulk fuel rising 40 cents a litre in less than a week, “and that’s if they can get it”.
“We’re getting very nervous about it,” he said.