The Western Australian Government is seeking greater visibility over the State’s fuel supply chain as concerns continue around diesel and petrol availability in regional areas.
Premier Roger Cook has written to the State’s five major fuel suppliers asking them to provide more detailed information on stock levels, supply plans and the distribution of fuel across Western Australia.
The move comes as the State deals with ongoing fuel pressures linked to conflict in the Middle East, alongside preparations for Severe Tropical Cyclone Cyclone Narelle. A meeting of the Security and Emergency Committee of Cabinet was held on Friday to assess both issues.
The Premier has asked suppliers to outline their stock holdings in WA, explain how they plan to support regional, agricultural and maritime consumers, and detail how they intend to assist distributors supplying fuel to country areas.
The request also seeks information about changes to wholesale fuel volumes and a full list of distributors that have been supplied with diesel and petrol.
Fuel supply has become a growing concern across regional WA in recent weeks, with some towns forced to ration fuel and prioritise emergency services. In parts of the Wheatbelt, temporary restrictions have been introduced after suppliers struggled to secure deliveries.
Farm groups have warned that shortages could affect seeding and other seasonal work, with some producers reporting delays to diesel deliveries. Opposition figures have argued the State remains vulnerable to supply disruptions, particularly in agriculture and mining.
The State Government says it has already worked with industry through a fuel security roundtable held earlier this month. Measures announced after that meeting included prioritising fuel and fertiliser imports through WA ports, improving regional restocking and setting up a regular industry working group to monitor supply issues.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said there were early signs that supply conditions were improving, with several distributors increasing fuel volumes in recent days.
She said improved reporting through FuelWatch would help reassure motorists and provide better real-time information on availability.
FuelWatch has also increased compliance activity during the recent fuel pressures, with authorities recently fining a Geraldton retailer for breaching fuel pricing rules. Officials say inspections have increased since the Middle East conflict began.
Despite the challenges, the WA Government says the State remains at Level 1 under the State Hazard Plan. More extensive emergency powers to compel information from suppliers would only be triggered if conditions escalated to a State of Emergency under the Fuel, Energy and Power Resources Act.
Community concern remains high, with some motorists stockpiling fuel and regional suppliers warning that panic buying has added further pressure to the system. Industry leaders have urged residents to continue purchasing fuel as normal while governments and suppliers work through supply bottlenecks.
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