Tamworth-based independent fuel distributor Transwest Fuels will be one of only two independent regional suppliers at a fuel security roundtable convened by the NSW Government today, after initially being left off the invitation list.
The $100 million company, which employs about 100 people and is the largest fuel distributor in the New England revealed on Sunday it had only secured an invitation to the meeting after “some hard work behind the scenes”.
“We have finally been invited to attend this meeting this morning after initially being excluded, only by some hard work behind the scenes by some amazing people who support us,” the company wrote on a Facebook post on Sunday.
The roundtable was called by NSW Premier Chris Minns as concerns grow about fuel supply disruptions and rising prices linked to global tensions affecting oil markets.
The meeting will be chaired by NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe and will bring together representatives from the fuel industry, agriculture, transport, logistics, local government, unions and consumer groups to discuss supply conditions and potential responses if pressure on the fuel market escalates.
According to Transwest Fuels, the meeting will largely be attended by major oil companies.
“You should know that all major oil companies have been invited to be in attendance and two regional independents (us being one of those).”
Transwest have been one of the loudest advocates for farmers and others in our region, making it clear from the earliest signs of trouble that the cause of the issues are with major oil companies, saying those companies have been withdrawing from regional markets for a decade, and are hoarding the fuel for their own coastal distribution networks.
“They will claim they were unprofitable or ageing assets. We say it’s because independents like us have filled the void on being competitive for our rural communities, better service to the agriculture sector and a steadfast commitment to investing in regional NSW.”
Regional distributors have increasingly become critical to maintaining supply chains in rural areas, particularly as major companies have consolidated operations in metropolitan and coastal hubs. It is this split in the market that has resulted in regional communities being left without fuel while the city doesn’t understand the problem, and blames panic buying.
The NSW Government says the roundtable is intended to improve coordination between industry and government agencies during a period of heightened uncertainty in global energy markets.
Premier Chris Minns said the meeting would ensure all stakeholders were sharing the latest information and preparing for potential disruptions.
“Global events are putting pressure on fuel markets around the world, and we are making sure New South Wales is as prepared as possible and well coordinated if those pressures continue,” Minns said.
Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said the government understood the anxiety felt by communities and businesses that rely heavily on fuel.
“We know there are real concerns about people and businesses being able to get fuel when they need it,” she said.
The government is monitoring fuel availability across the state and mapping reports of shortages while working with the Commonwealth, which holds responsibility for national fuel supply and market regulation.
For Transwest Fuels, today’s roundtable represents a chance to ensure regional voices are heard in discussions that will shape how fuel supply challenges are managed across NSW, and they say they will be proactive and positive in their contribution.
“Wish us luck.”
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