General News
16 March, 2026
Fuel Situation Changing Daily
Panic buying appears to be the main reason fuel supplies are being impacted and the situation is causing serious concern for local primary producers.
Major Darling Downs fuel distributor Bartranz Petroleum has warned that Australia’s rapidly escalating fuel shortage is beginning to seriously impact supply to rural industries, with panic buying across the country exposing the nation’s critically low reserves of refined fuel.
Following intense global media coverage of the conflict in the Middle East, motorists in major cities have rushed service stations, forming long queues and filling not only their vehicles but also jerry cans and drums to stockpile fuel.
The surge in demand has quickly strained Australia’s fuel supply chain.
Distributors are now operating under strict allocation limits imposed by major suppliers.
Bartranz said its daily fuel allocation from Brisbane terminals has already been reduced to just 10 per cent of normal volumes, with some distributors cut off altogether.
The company said the situation is creating difficult decisions about where limited fuel supplies should be directed.
“For farmers and rural industries, this will have serious consequences,” the company said.
Agriculture will be among the hardest-hit sector if the situation continues, all farms rely heavily on diesel to power machinery, irrigation systems, and generators.
The rapid escalation of this crisis has exposed the vulnerability Australia is in, thanks to successive government failures.
Fuel distributors are now urging the public to avoid panic buying and allow supply chains to stabilise, warning that continued hoarding could further worsen the situation for essential industries.
Bartranz said it will continue working to prioritise key sectors and keep customers informed as the situation evolves.
Member for Maranoa and Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud is urging the Federal Labor Government to address uncertainty in national fuel supply and pricing, which is leading to fuel restrictions and shortages for farmers and agricultural industries.
“Farmers cannot get the fuel they need in regional and rural areas right now, which is placing enormous pressure on the agriculture industry,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This will have huge consequences all around the country because it means our farmers can’t farm and when supply goes down, prices go up, so families will feel this problem also at the supermarket checkout,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Farmers are telling me their fuel deliveries have stopped and ceased until further notice.
“I have written to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and told him it is critical the situation receives urgent attention.
“The Federal Labor Government must provide assurances to the agriculture sector that there will be access to forward fuel supplies, and that operations won’t be impacted.”
Clifton district mixed farmer Layton Free said he is “disgusted and disappointed” with the lack of fuel supply in regional Australia.
“On contacting our regular supplier first thing Monday morning, we are normally able to lock in supply and price for the week,” Mr Free said.
“We received zero delivery as the refinery has ceased supply until further notice.
“Two other fuel suppliers which we receive product from occasionally have also sent emails stating the same.
“When the government says the farmers are just whingeing, they need to wake up.
“This isn’t a ‘woe is me’ thing.
“We rely on fuel every day and in our business we feed cattle.
“We need fuel to run the equipment.
“Once fuel is gone from our machines we won’t have anymore fuel.
“The produce that we create then has to be put on trucks and processed.
“Trucks require fuel also.
“Once the product is processed and distributed, fuel is required again to distribute for the public to buy.
“The issue isn’t just that we can’t farm – we need to be able to produce food and shift it to the processor, then get it to the supermarkets.
“People need to realise the impact is on everybody.
“This is a food security issue that will impact every single Australian if it isn’t fixed soon.
“This could also soon be an issue to manage livestock and what we do if we run out of fuel.
“This situation is untenable for any business in this ‘Lucky Country’ of ours.
“It is disgusting, disappointing and extremely worrying.”
As of Tuesday at local service stations, supplies of diesel and unleaded fuel seem to be available, but in some cases the quantity is limited.
