This week Swan Hill Rural City Council has written to both State and Federal Governments, urging them to provide immediate assurance that regional and agricultural communities will have reliable access to fuel during this critical period.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said that while Council welcomes the recently announced Fuel Supply Taskforce, further action is needed.
"Right now, our region is in the middle of a vital harvest season. Grapes, almonds and a wide range of horticultural produce are being picked, processed and transported at scale. These are not just local operations - they are nationally significant supply chains that rely on consistent, reliable fuel access every single day.
"At the same time, we are approaching the sowing window for broadacre crops such as wheat and barley. Any disruption to fuel supply during this period could have direct and lasting consequences on production, with flow-on impacts to food supply, export income and farm viability," Cr King said.
Swan Hill Rural City Council and the wider Mallee region make a substantial contribution to both the Victorian and Australian economies. Agricultural output supports local jobs, drives regional economies and supplies domestic and international markets. Any slowdown would be felt well beyond the region.
"We are already hearing concerns from industry about supply reliability and potential disruptions. Even the perception of uncertainty creates real risk - delays to harvest, missed planting windows, increased costs and added pressure on businesses already operating in challenging conditions," he said.
Council is seeking clear, public assurance from both State and Federal Governments that fuel supply to regional and agricultural areas will be prioritised and protected, that contingency measures are in place to respond quickly to any disruption, and that regional communities will not be left at the end of the queue.
"While we welcome the establishment of the Taskforce, timely action and clear communication are critical.
"Our farmers and associated industries are resilient - but they should not have to carry avoidable risk caused by supply uncertainty.
"This is a practical issue with real consequences for jobs, production and the broader economy. We need confidence, and we need it now," Cr King said.
Council's Director Infrastructure, Leah Johnston, said Council is also closely monitoring supply concerns and the recent increases in fuel and oil prices and the potential impact on its own operations, particularly in areas that rely on large volumes of fuel such as road maintenance and asphalt works.
"At this stage, Council is continuing to deliver its planned works and services as scheduled. From an asset management perspective, programs are being carefully managed to ensure they can continue, with ongoing assessment as costs fluctuate and future conditions remain uncertain," Ms Johnston said.
"We're taking a proactive and measured approach - keeping a close eye on rising fuel costs and what this may mean for our operations.
"Our priority is to ensure we continue delivering essential services and infrastructure projects for our community. We are actively managing our programs so works can proceed as planned, while remaining responsive to any changes in costs or supply conditions," she said.
Council will continue to monitor the situation closely and will continue advocating to State and Federal Governments to ensure reliable fuel access for regional communities during this critical period.
