Name: Fuel shortages test Easter road travel plans
Uploaded: 2026-04-03T06:09:17.018Z
Duration: 2 min 14 s
Description: The government insists fuel supply is secure and relief is flowing. But with service stations still running dry in some areas, confidence is being tested as families toss up their Easter travel plans.

The government insists fuel supply is secure and relief is flowing. But with service stations still running dry in some areas, confidence is being tested as families toss up their Easter travel plans.

New South Wales

A surge in fuel prices and shortages has affected communities across Australia, with drivers in Melbourne's west queuing for free fuel during a brief giveaway event. Despite recent price reductions, many travellers and caravanners have already cancelled holiday plans due to earlier price spikes, impacting tourism-dependent towns.

Farmers, particularly in New South Wales, are facing diesel shortages during critical sowing and seeding periods, as fuel companies prioritize agricultural deliveries. Dairy producers are calling for essential service recognition and higher milk prices to offset rising fuel and fertilizer costs, while ongoing uncertainty and economic pressure continue to affect the transport and agricultural sectors.

Fuel shortages test Easter road travel plans

A fuel frenzy in Melbourne's west as drivers lined up for free liquid gold. We got here around 5.30. A desperate bid to nab a free tank. This guy waited on empty. A giveaway stunt that had to be shut down within an hour. Fortunately, savings elsewhere starting to flow at the Bowser just in time for Easter. Reducing the price of fuel by 32 cents a litre. But for many, it's too late to reap the benefits. Caravanners forced to shelve their holiday plans. We're at the Roma gun club. Now that's normally packed. As prices surged ahead of the exodus. And talking to the management there, they've had probably around about 50 cancellations since the fuel started going up. A bleak reminder of COVID times. If people aren't travelling, these towns rely, they're bread and butteries on the tourism. The government insists supply isn't the issue. We are seeing, you know, well over 50 ships on their way to Australia. And while supply remains steady through April, the outlook is less certain. There are risks across the board, particularly as you look now well into May and into June. But the pressure isn't just at the pump, it's flowing through the economy. We are a big country, OK? It inherently uses diesel. New South Wales leading the country with the most servos out of diesel. It's mainly because it's sowing and seeding time. And the companies are rightly, in my view, concentrating on getting that fuel to the farmers. Dairy farmers say rising fuel and fertilizer costs are putting serious pressure on production. They're calling for recognition as an essential service, as well as guaranteed access to fuel, with some calling for milk price rises of up to 30 cents a litre. We'll need a few dollars left after that input cost to put food on our own table. Every time you turn the news on, it doesn't look like any de-escalation, isn't it? It's just very unsettling, really. And it's taking a hit and toll. Every time you stop, the first thing that a fellow truckie says to you is, oh my God, what are you doing with the fuels? Australia now truly understands what we've already known and always known, and that is they do truly keep Australia moving.

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