Announcements galore as fuel shortages hit hard

IN Parliamentary Question Time on Wednesday, Premier Chris Minns provided an update into fuel shortages across NSW.

At the time of speaking, he said 32 petrol stations in NSW were without any kind of fuel.

“That’s down from 51 stations yesterday but concerningly, 187 stations are out of diesel,” he said.

“The split of regional and metro stations are 78 stations in regional New South Wales and 109 in metropolitan Sydney.

“I can also report to the house that of the stations that are without fuel, there is an alternative service station with fuel within 30 kilometres, which is good news.”

Premier Minns said that Australia currently has more fuel available than it did on 25 January, however the “marketplace is not efficiently distributing it”.

He also categorically denied that NSW would introduce “Covid-style emergency measures”.

“I’m not going to be in a situation where we’re bringing back home schooling or lockdowns or any of these kinds of preposterous interventions.”

It was then announced that the government will use legal powers to compel the major oil companies in Australia to provide information as to how and where they will be distributing fuel, particularly to regional communities.

Statewide compliance blitz on fuel prices

The NSW Government has fast-tracked a statewide fuel compliance blitz to “strengthen fuel price transparency” and protect motorists from misleading pricing.

At the NSW Fuel Security Roundtable held last week, retailers agreed to use the FuelCheck app to inform the Government when they have run out of fuel.

FuelCheck is the NSW Government’s real-time fuel price transparency tool and provides motorists with instant access to prices from around 2,400 service stations across the state.

Under NSW law, fuel retailers must:

• Register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time
• Ensure displayed prices match the price charged at the bowser.

To ensure compliance, NSW Fair Trading is currently conducting unannounced inspections of fuel retailers across metropolitan and regional areas.

Inspectors have already carried out over 190 service station inspections across the state, issuing 13 penalty infringement notices.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said, “NSW Fair Trading is significantly increasing its compliance activity to make sure motorists get accurate price information every time they fill up.

“If consumers see a price mismatch between FuelCheck and the bowser, they should report it via the app or website to NSW Fair Trading.”

Retailers who break the rules face on-the-spot fines of $1,100, or Court penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.

Inspectors have already carried out over 190 service station inspections across the state, issuing 13 penalty infringement notices.

Site launched for reporting fuel shortages

The Coalition has launched a new website allowing regional Australians a direct way to report fuel outages and supply issues.

Member for Lyne Alison Penfold said the site, nofuelhere.com.au, would show Energy Minister Chris Bowen “exactly where communities are being hit”.

“We are facing a fuel supply crisis in the country and regional Australians are bearing the brunt of this with skyrocketing fuel prices and increasing supply outages,” Ms Penfold said.

“This website is about showing Minister Bowen exactly where fuel is not available or is being voluntarily rationed and the impact that is having on regional communities.

“I will be providing the information to the Minister to assist him to be fully informed of the locations of fuel shortages in the hope that this will trigger him to use the powers that he has.”

The website allows locals, businesses and transport operators to log shortages, highlighting the scale of disruption across the country.

“People in regional Australia should not have to wonder whether they will be able to fill up their car, keep their farm running or get goods to market,” Ms Penfold said.

“I encourage anyone experiencing fuel shortages to report it through No Fuel Here so we can make sure the Government has the information it needs to act.”

Calls for free public transport at Easter

With fuel prices hitting record highs and household budgets being hit hard, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have called on the NSW Government to provide free public transport this Easter long weekend.

Petrol has now skyrocketed past $3 a litre in NSW.

Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said many families would be rethinking what they can afford this Easter.

“This will be a hard Easter for many NSW families with fuel costs skyrocketing and already stretched household budgets under more pressure.

“Free public transport over the long weekend puts money back in families’ pockets when they need it most,” Ms Sloane said.

NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh said XPT and Trainlink coaches should be included.

“For families in regional NSW, the Easter long weekend often means a long drive, and now, an expensive one.

“Free travel on XPT and Trainlink coaches gives regional families a real alternative,” Mr Singh said.

Market information sought

NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe has written to the chief executives of the major fuel companies to seek information to inform the state’s response to fuel distribution challenges arising from the war in the Middle East.

While the Federal Government has confirmed that fuel deliveries to Australia continue to arrive as planned, NSW and other states are experiencing localised shortages and distribution issues in the face of increased demand.

The NSW Government is seeking historical information on storage and stocks, as well as sales and orders.

“We are continuing to monitor the impacts the Middle East conflict is having on NSW fuel distribution,” Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe said.

“We are planning for all possible scenarios, noting the unpredictable nature of the overseas conflict and the potential for the fuel situation to deteriorate.”

The NSW Government’s message remains that “people should only buy as much fuel as they need”.

Councils call for petrol priority

Local Government New South Wales (LGNSW) is calling on the NSW Government to ensure that fuel supplies to councils are prioritised, warning that essential community services would be put at risk without guaranteed supplies.

The president of the peak body for local governments across the state, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, has written to Minister Penny Sharpe urging her to prioritise access to fuel supply for essential council services and functions, particularly should emergency fuel supply declarations be made.

“I have today requested that the NSW Government take action to guarantee the supply of fuel to councils so that the critical services we deliver are protected,” Mayor Byrne said on Tuesday.

“Basic services that could be impacted by fuel shortages include garbage collection, water and sewerage services, aged care, community-run transport services, and road works.

“Apart from pricing pressures across the board, the impacts are being most acutely felt by some of the most remote councils in NSW, which are already under significant financial sustainability pressures.”

Mayor Byrne represented the local government sector at the recent NSW Fuel Security Roundtable in Sydney with the Premier, government ministers, department secretaries, industry, and representative groups.