Fuel Shortages Worsen Across Western Australia as Tax Cuts Fail to Deliver Price Relief
Fuel shortages have intensified across Western Australia, with more than 20 service stations reporting a complete lack of petrol or diesel on Monday, particularly affecting popular tourist destinations. This comes despite recent tax reductions that were expected to lower fuel prices by nearly 30 cents per litre, a saving that has not materialized at the pumps for many consumers.
The situation has escalated as the long weekend concludes, with West Australians returning to Perth facing limited fuel availability. Key areas such as Esperance, Broome, and Margaret River are among the hardest hit, disrupting travel plans and local economies.
Sharp Increase in Diesel Shortages Overnight
Diesel shortages have seen a dramatic spike, jumping from just one service station without diesel to 12 in a single night. This sudden shortage has impacted stations that were fully stocked as recently as Sunday, including Geographe Petroleum Margaret River and Shell Ready Express Bunbury Gateway in the South West region.
Additionally, four Shell Ready Express locations, such as those in Collie and Edgewater, were listed as having neither petrol nor diesel available on Monday, despite having fuel supplies the day before. This rapid depletion highlights the volatility in fuel distribution across the state.
Complete List of Affected Service Stations
The fuel shortages are widespread, with specific stations categorized based on their unavailable fuel types:
- Service Stations Without Unleaded or Diesel: Balingup Liquor & General Store, Condello’s Liquor Waterloo in Picton East, Hills Emporio, Lori’s Fuel Supply in Kelmscott, Shell Reddy Express Broome, Shell Reddy Express Collie, Shell Reddy Express Edgewater, Shell Reddy Express Tarcola, and Walkaway General Store.
- Service Stations Without Unleaded: Ampol Foodary Broome, Ampol Foodary Gosnells, Ampol Foodary Warnbro, Mt Barker Fuel Services, United Mount Barker Roadhouse Truck Stop, United Rangeway Truck Stop, S-Bend Caravan Park in Greenough, Shell Reddy Express Broome, Shell Reddy Express Edgewater, Shell Reddy Express Esperance, Shell Reddy Express Port Headland, Solo Riverton, and S24 Bull Creek.
- Service Stations Without Diesel: Ampol Foodary Williams, BP Canning Vale OPT, Ampol Foodary Forrestdale, Geographe Petroleum Margaret River, IOR High Wycombe, Shell Geraldton Truckstop, Shell Ready Express Brookdale, Shell Reddy Express Bunbury Gateway, Shell Reddy Express Mount Lawley, Shell S24 Redcliffe, Shell Reddy Express Wembley, and UGO Mundaring.
These shortages come at a time when consumers were anticipating lower fuel costs due to government tax cuts, which have not translated into the expected price drops, adding to the frustration of motorists and businesses alike.
