Government’s fuel campaign causes problems for Qld regions
A regional Queensland mayor has written an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese raising major concerns over the national “every little bit helps” fuel campaign.
Balonne Shire Council mayor Samantha O’Toole has penned an open letter calling out what she calls devastating impacts of the federal government’s multimillion-dollar ‘Every little bit helps’ fuel advertising campaign,
O’Toole shared said she has been inundated with calls from Balonne residents and business owners expressing concern about economic pressures the advertising campaign that advises Australians to look for alternative transport to cars and to reduce fuel consumption, has caused.
“In our rural setting, we can’t simply get on public transport, ride a bicycle or rely on electric vehicles to run our agricultural economy and tow caravans, we need an affordable and reliable fuel supply,” O’Toole said.
She said tourism was a vital pillar of the region’s economy, responsible for generating work and sustaining livelihoods – currently, the region is experiencing a 70 percent drop in booking numbers for tourism operators.
“The last thing it needs is a taxpayer-funded campaign advising travellers to stay away. I urge you to rethink this approach,” the Mayor said.
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In response to community concerns, the South West Queensland Council (SWQROC) recently launched a Fuel Tracker Dashboard, detailing fuel availability in the region.
“This Fuel Tracker Dashboard came to fruition with little to no funding, just the ingenuity and commitment of our council teams who understand how vital tourism is to our region,” O’Toole said.
“The information is updated regularly by staff from each of our SWQROC Councils so people know that it can be relied on.”
She called on the PM to develop a similar National Fuel Tracker Dashboard that allowed people to make their own decisions about where and when they choose to travel.
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The region has also been subject to fuel thefts in recent weeks, with four alleged incidents at various council roadworks locations, resulting in stolen fuel and machinery damage.
“As it is, this fuel supply crisis has the potential to cause devastation to our council’s operating expenses and the last thing we need is more challenges like fuel theft,” O’Toole said.
The incidents took place between March 24 and April 2, totalling around 400 to 500 litres of lost diesel.
“Losing 400 to 500 litres of diesel in these incidents just adds unnecessary costs to the council’s operating budget, which ultimately leads to increased cost to ratepayers and/or reduced service levels,” O’Toole said.
Council has changed operating procedures, installing hidden cameras at job sites, and reporting all evidence to the Queensland Police Service in response.
O’Toole concluded her open letter with a plea to Anthony Albanese to consider at-risk roles.
“While you’re navigating our Country through this critical time, please spare a thought for the hard-working business owners and tourism operators who have taken a risk on setting up an enterprise that generates flow-on jobs and benefits throughout regional Australia.”
In a comment to the ABC, a spokesman reiterated the PM’s recent comments, describing the $20 million fuel-saving campaign as “sensible”, and referred to Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s weekly press conference on fuel stocks and delivery.
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