Fuel supply constraints and rising costs are placing increasing pressure on councils and the communities they serve, with potential impacts on essential services and infrastructure delivery.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is calling for local government to be recognised as a key part of the national response to fuel supply challenges and included in high-level decision-making.
ALGA President, Mayor Matt Burnett, said councils are already experiencing the effects of supply uncertainty and escalating costs.
“Local government plays a critical role in service delivery across Australia, and fuel supply is central to that,” Burnett said.
“We know how difficult it is for councils to maintain essential services when rising fuel costs are impacting their bottom lines.”
Councils rely on fuel to deliver a wide range of services, including road maintenance, waste and recycling collection, water and sewerage operations, and community transport.
Burnett said the impacts are also being felt through contractor arrangements, with rising costs limiting the scope of infrastructure works.
“Councils and ratepayers cannot continue to absorb ever-increasing costs,” he said.
“Without recognition of these pressures, there is a real risk to service delivery and infrastructure outcomes, particularly in regional and remote communities.”
He said there are also emerging safety concerns associated with the storage of fuel in communities, which councils are often required to respond to.
ALGA is calling for coordinated policy responses that acknowledge the essential role of local government in maintaining community services.
“We welcome opportunities to engage with the Federal Government on this issue, including through forums such as National Cabinet,” Burnett said.
“It is important that local government perspectives are included in these discussions so councils can continue to deliver for their communities.”
