Local retailers urged to address excessive stockpiling, while Geraldton retailer fined $1000 by FuelWatch

Motorists have been urged to stop panic buying fuel, as prices hit as much as $2.30/litre in Geraldton and some retailers are close to running dry.

The crisis fuelled by war in the Middle East is deepening by the day, with farmers and other primary sectors fearing the impact fuel insecurity could have on their industries.

The State Government met with industry experts at a roundtable on Wednesday to address fuel shortages and price gouging in metro and regional WA.

Premier Roger Cook called for calm, urging people not to stockpile fuel.

Jerry cans are basically sold out across Geraldton, with one retailer saying they had sold 80 in the past four days.

A survey on Thursday morning found most service stations in Geraldton were operating “business as usual” despite the sky-high prices and demand.

The most expensive unleaded price in Geraldton was almost $2.30/litre at Caltex Tarcoola and Glenfield. No outlets in Geraldton were offering below $2/litre.

Indicating retailers were rationing their supplies, Caltex Tarcoola and 7-Eleven Spalding both had multiple bowsers unavailable, while United Rangeway, had all bowsers unavailable until mid-Thursday morning.

A United Rangeway spokesperson said the fuel station had run out of most of its reserves for both petrol and diesel on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning.

“It’s been really tough because people have been coming the past couple of days but there has been no fuel,” the spokesperson said.

“We even got a fine from FuelWatch because people started complaining about it. The website said we were the cheapest in town, but it hadn’t updated with our real price and the fact we had no stock.”

The station received a fuel delivery about 10am Thursday, with direction from the “big boss” to ration it as much as possible based on concerns of running out again.

“It’s sad, but we can’t do anything about it,” the United spokesperson said.

FuelWatch confirmed on Thursday it had fined a Geraldton fuel outlet $1000 for breaching WA’s laws by charging fuel at a higher price than the price it reported to FuelWatch the day before.

Consumer Protection is continuing to investigate additional allegations of incorrect price selling at this site and will consider further enforcement action where appropriate.

Under WA’s 24-hour rule, retailers must notify FuelWatch of their prices by 2pm each day and keep them fixed for 24 hours from 6am the next day.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said fuel retailers must follow the rules every single day.

“Motorists rely on accurate prices, and retailers have no excuse for charging one amount at the bowser while displaying or reporting something different,” she said.

Ms Blake said random inspections at sites across WA were ramping up amid the Middle East crisis.

“Retailers are on notice that we will not hesitate to take action when we find prices that don’t match,” she said.

The cheapest fuel on FuelWatch in Geraldton on Thursday was $2.05/litre at Smart Mart Pure Convenience in Wonthella.

Northampton shire president Liz Sudlow said over the past week there had been many ups and downs for Mid West residents amid the fuel uncertainty.

Ms Sudlow said there was currently no reason for townsfolk to panic about their fuel reserves, however there was a level of concern for the farming community, families and businesses.

“The developing situation is causing anxiety for farming businesses. There have certainly been reports of people only getting half of what they want,” she said.

“Across many farmers in the region, there is a degree of concern they won’t be able to fulfil their orders or obtain the fuel they need.”

Seeding season is set to begin for Mid West farmers from mid-April.

Mt Magnet shire president Jorgen Jensen said the fuel shortage during seeding season could place additional pressure on farmers.

The only service station in Mt Magnet was pricing diesel at $2.72/litre on Thursday.

“There’ll be a huge impact on the pasture stations out here,” he said, and added that the mining contractors in the area might also be affected.

Like many people, Mr Jensen was unsure how long the high prices would last and how high they would get.

“It’s very hard to get accurate information,” he said.

“If that keeps going, that’s extremely debilitating . . . There are no options out here, most people run diesel vehicles, most trucks and equipment are diesel. That’s most of the industry out here. It’s going to affect everything across the board, from groceries right through.”

Diesel in Geraldton was as much as $2.67/litre on Thursday.

WA Farmers Federation president Steve McGuire said panic buying in metro areas was responsible for shortages in rural areas but there was “still fuel coming in”.

“A bit of panic buying in the city increased demand by 25 per cent,” he said.

As of Thursday, jerry cans were sold out at Geraldton Bunnings, while stocks were extremely limited at other retailers including BCF, Supercheap Auto and Repco.

Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr pleaded with the Cook Government to do all it could to ensure fuel bowsers stayed open and that regional locals as well as the farming, fishing and mining industries did not bear the brunt.

“We have already seen prices spike throughout the region, and reports have emerged where retailers have run out of fuel.

“It feels like the hose is being stood on, and the State Government needs to ensure fuel supplies will continue to be distributed to regional areas.”

After Wednesday’s roundtable with about 40 industry stakeholders, the State Government released a seven-point plan addressing the growing concerns.

“BP Australia informed us that, at the moment, all their international supplies are functioning perfectly,” Premier Roger Cook said.

“They said they have 18 ships on their way to Australia as we speak.”

The plan also included prioritising fuel and fertiliser imports through WA’s ports, encouraging service stations to take to immediate measures to address excessive stockpiling, and meeting weekly to address specific supply issues.

Price caps have been ruled out, but retailers have been told to use “common sense” to stop panic buying.