Purtill Group managing director Neville Purtill said his local Ampol service stations, and Ampol, “have not run out, and are not likely to run out”.
“We have enough stock available for normal use, and plans in place for the next three months at least,” Mr Purtill told the Pastoral Times this afternoon.
Mr Purtill was contacted for comment after Sky News claimed Federal Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie, from The Nationals, had specifically suggested Deniliquin has run out of diesel.
In an interview with The Nationals Leader David Littleproud, Sky News’ Kevin Gilbert states “we heard Bridget McKenzie talk about Deniliquin running out of diesel”.
A transcript provided to the Pastoral Times by Senator McKenzie’s office confirms she told a press conference “we know that there are incredible fuel shortages. Jerilderie and Deniliquin have run out of fuel”.
But after being contacted directly by the Pastoral Times, the Senator’s office has since said the comments were referring to wholesale diesel only.
This was not clarified in the press conference.
The Senator’s team said the comments were based on feedback being received from trucking industry bodies, and allegedly based on what they have heard from one of the nation's largest independent fuel distributors.
They admitted this advice has not been tested, and the Pastoral Times has not seen the feedback provided.
“The trucking industry, for instance, the trucking industry has made it clear that their depots will be out of fuel on Wednesday,” Senator McKenzie said a little later in today’s press conference.
“That means that trucks that keep our country supplied with all manner of goods and services will have to source their fuel from road houses, which will result in price increases in excess of 40 to 50 cents a litre.”
According to the Australian Trucking Association, the market price for diesel increased from $130 on Friday, February 27 to almost $220 per barrel by March 6.
Retail diesel prices have increased almost 19 cents per litre since Sunday.
According to comparison site Fuel Spy, all Deniliquin service stations are this afternoon selling U91 petrol for 209.9c/L, except the independent service station in the middle of Davidson St which is priced at 206.9c/L.
Diesel is selling at local service stations for between 236.9c/L (Ampol Hardinge St and North Deniliquin) and 229.9c/L (Shell service station in North Deniliquin).
There’s been some footage from metropolitan areas of people stockpiling fuel amidst shortage concerns.
Mr Purtill said while there has been a slight increase of people filling their vehicles in recent days, he said he has seen no evidence of significant stockpiling.
He urged the community to remain calm.
The Pastoral Times is continuing to seek clarification on the state of local wholesale diesel supplies.
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