The Western Australian Government has reached an agreement to secure and store at least 4 million litres of diesel in the Kimberley, in a move aimed at strengthening fuel security and easing pressure from acute supply shortages in regional areas.
Under the arrangement with local independent fuel supplier Cambridge Gulf, the Cook Labor Government will purchase diesel that will be stored in Wyndham, as revealed in a news release.
The fuel, which will be 100 per cent State-owned, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks and will be held free-of-charge by the supplier. The deal also includes the potential to expand storage capacity to up to 12 million litres at the facility.
The State Government said the stockpile would provide additional flexibility in managing supply disruptions, particularly for remote communities and key regional industries such as agriculture that rely heavily on diesel.
According to the WA Government, the arrangement will also coincide with additional overseas fuel orders placed by Cambridge Gulf, increasing volumes arriving into Australia as part of the broader supply response.
Premier Roger Cook said the agreement marked a significant step in strengthening the State’s fuel resilience.
“Having access to this fuel now, with the ability to store more in the future, is a crucial step towards shoring up our State’s fuel security for the future,” Cook said.
“It’s diesel that will be 100 per cent State owned and reserved for those who need it most such as remote communities and the agriculture sector, allowing us to act quickly when we need to,” he said.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the stockpile would help provide additional flexibility as supply pressures continue.
“This strategic stockpile will give WA a source of fuel under its direct control – providing much needed flexibility as we continue to navigate this global issue,” Sanderson said.
The WA Government said the measure builds on a broader set of fuel security initiatives, including expanded supply monitoring powers, industry coordination mechanisms, and changes to transport regulations to improve distribution efficiency.
