Five Ampol service stations across Hobart have run out of diesel, leaving drivers scrambling for fuel as southern Tasmania grapples with a major supply shortage.
The affected stations include the Risdon Road, Sandy Bay, Glenorchy, Eastlands and Midway Point Ampol outlets. All are expected to remain without diesel for at least 24 hours.
“The Hobart Terminal has been low on all fuels the past three days therefore some Ampol sites will be out of diesel now and into the next 24 to 36 hours,” according to stakeholder communications with Treasury obtained by Pulse.
The fuel shortage stems from supply chain disruptions at the Hobart Terminal, which has been running low on all petroleum products since earlier this week.
Two central Hobart stations have been prioritised to maintain fuel availability, with Ampol’s Macquarie Street and Davey Street locations are receiving priority deliveries.
“We are prioritising as Davey Street is 24 hours and both sites are on major roads through Hobart,” the communications stated.
Emergency services have been directed to 24-hour stations where their vehicles will be prioritised. These include Ampol locations at Brooker, Moonah, Cambridge and Claremont.
Treasury was formally notified of the diesel shortage by Bennett’s Petroleum, Ampol’s distributor, shortly after 10am on Friday.
A petroleum tanker is understood to have docked at the Self’s Point terminal in Hobart on Thursday night and fuel trucks are now working to resupply affected stations.
However, the five compromised locations are understood to remain without diesel until at least Saturday afternoon.
Key government departments including the emergency services, who rely on Ampol for fuel, were briefed through Treasury this morning.
Speaking to Pulse, a spokesperson from the Department of Police, Fire & Emergency Management – responsible for Tasmania Police and the Tasmania Fire Service, said they were aware of the shortage.
“We are working with our providers to ensure that supply is available for operations during this period,” they said.
The Department of Health said it does not anticipate any impacts on Ambulance Tasmania services as a result of the supply issues.
“There are contingency measures in place in case of such circumstances,” a spokesperson said.
Ampol hold the contract as the authorised primary supplier of fuel for the Tasmanian government, while United Petroleum is the secondary supplier for fuel products where Ampol is unable to supply.
