King Island fuel vulnerabilities exposed as petrol station pump stops working

A temporary fuel disruption in Currie over the weekend has highlighted the vulnerability of fuel access on King Island and the potential impact on day-to-day operations and emergency situations.

The unleaded petrol pump at King Island Motors stopped working over the weekend and remained out of service on Monday morning. The business later advised via social media that repairs had been completed by mid-Monday and the pump was back in operation.

The disruption left only one other retail outlet in Currie, which currently operates on an ad hoc basis, with the owners understood to be off-island until late April.

The situation prompted questions about fuel availability should a disruption occur during a period of high demand or emergency.

King Island Council General Manager said Council was monitoring the situation but confirmed there was no declared fuel emergency.

“You are correct that the unleaded pump at King Island Motors is currently not functioning,” the General Manager said earlier in the disruption.

“Under the King Island Municipal Emergency Management Plan, Council's role in any fuel-related disruption is one of coordination and advocacy.”

This includes activating the King Island Municipal Emergency Management Committee if required, identifying and supporting priority users such as emergency services, medical providers and other critical community services, and liaising with TasPorts, the Department of State Growth and other relevant agencies to seek assistance or alternative supply arrangements.

TasPorts has previously advised it would assist in the event of a third-party fuel disruption, with Council confirming it would follow up on that commitment if required.

“At this stage there is no declared fuel emergency on the island. However, Council acknowledges that the loss of a retail pump presents practical challenges for some users,” the General Manager said.

Council has encouraged the community to report any impacts on essential services so they can be assessed and escalated if required.

King Island Council also confirmed that fuel storage levels on the island remain sound, with TasPorts and Jet Air that imports and distributes fuel to King Island, also affirming that storage and supply of diesel and unleaded petrol remains adequate during this period of fuel tanker blockage in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle conflict.

Council said it would continue to monitor the situation and activate coordination arrangements if the disruption begins to impact critical services.