Fuel supplies at some SA service stations under threat
Fuel supplies at some SA service stations under threat
Petrol supplies at some South Australian service stations could run dry as dozens of trucks are taken off the road following a national crackdown on a major fuel transport company.
There are already fuel shortages in Victoria and New South Wales as dozens of Cootes trucks are inspected and taken off the road.
It follows a fiery crash that killed two people in Sydney last week.
Service stations in New South Wales and Victoria are already rationing petrol and South Australia could be next.
“We could see in the next couple of days some different fuel brands starting to dry up,” Liam Hunt from the Motor Trade Association said.
“Without a refinery or any significant storage depot, we are reliant on fuel coming in from other states.”
The Transport and Industry Minister said there was no need for people to panic.
“South Australia has its regular supply in storage, so there’s no need to panic, there’s no need to go and rush out and fill up with petrol,” Tom Koutsantonis said.
Cootes has voluntarily grounded its entire 47 truck fleet in South Australia for independent safety checks.
Shell and BP service stations will be worst affected.
“They are in discussion with the suppliers to make sure they can prioritise delivery to those sites that need it most,” Mr Hunt said.
Of the more than 200 Cootes trucks inspected in Victoria, almost 80 have been grounded and almost 90 per cent defected for oil leaks, dodgy brakes, and faulty suspension of chassis.
Cootes trucks are expected to be back on the road by the end of the week – and the state government said motorists should not see a jump in prices.
“The petrol we have in storage has already been purchased, it’s already here, there’s no reason for any price hikes, there’s no reason petrol should go up,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
