When ideology meets the fuel tank
In the 1930s, Winston Churchill warned that Europe was sleepwalking into danger. Across the chamber, Neville Chamberlain insisted all would be well. “Peace in our time,” he said—a comforting line, right up until Hitler crossed into Poland. We are seeing a modern version of that same delusion play out today.
ANZAC Special, plus we get the debrief on Buddy suiting up for Dowerin with Tracy Jones!
A great ANZAC show today! We caught up with Tracy Jones from the Dowerin Footy Club for a full debrief after Buddy Franklin pulled on the boots for the Tigers! Plus your rural news (fuel and fertiliser update) with Fiona L Fox from ARR.News...
Cook Labor Government secures 8 million litres of diesel for WA: Cook, Sanderson
The Cook Labor Government is entering an agreement to purchase an additional 8 million litres of diesel for Western Australia's strategic stockpile.
“Price crunch” – societal implications of conflict
The economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East is and will continue to have wide ranging impacts on all facets of Australian society with costs increasing due to the nation’s reliance on trucks and diesel ... 71 years later, current owner Robert Blanchard said the industry is facing its toughest times in decades and his first diesel delivery since the Middle East crisis erupted was $68,000 more than in early March.
Outback refinery in the spotlight as Queensland oil push turns to Eromanga
With a rare combination of extensive oil reserves and local refining capabilities, the small Outback town of Eromanga (population under 50) is emerging as one of the strongest contenders to help ease Australia’s fuel supply issues onshore.
Securing more fuel and fertiliser: Albanese, Farrell, Bowen, Collins
Under the Albanese Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers, a further 200 million litres of additional diesel for Australia has been secured, and work has commenced with leading fertiliser companies to secure more supply at this critical time in the growing season.
Farmers brace for VicGrid visits
Patrick Tucker. Farmers across the region are preparing for a series of VicGrid visits to properties in the coming weeks, as part of ongoing efforts to conduct ecological studies linked to the proposed VNI West transmission project ... "This is the second attempt from VicGrid to get access to our properties to do the ecological study," he said.
Armidale event to explore what happens to solar panels at end of life
A free community event in Armidale next month will look at a question becoming increasingly important for regional Australia: what happens to renewable energy infrastructure when it reaches the end of its useful life? The event will explore the recycling, reuse and responsible disposal of renewable energy infrastructure, with a focus on rooftop solar panels, large-scale solar farms and, to a lesser extent, wind farm components.
It isn’t easy being green as solar panels go to waste: Webster
The ‘green dream’ – a proliferation of solar (photovoltaic) panels across Mallee – could turn into a nightmare, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said as the truth is laid bare that the almost 90 per cent of the panels will end up in landfill. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy has warned that panels that reached their end-of-life would end up in landfills.
CLP boosting energy security with large scale batteries for Katherine and Alice Springs: Edgington
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering stronger, more reliable power for Alice Springs and Katherine, with an $82.1 million investment in battery energy storage. Territory Generation has awarded Pacific Energy a contract to deliver the next phase of the battery energy storage system (BESS) program.
FuelWatch failure exposes Cook Government’s disconnect from regional WA: Hunter
Nationals Member for Central Wheatbelt, Lachlan Hunter MP, has slammed the Cook Labor Government for its lack of understanding of regional Western Australia, as the fuel crisis continues to bite across the Wheatbelt.
Will the grey nomads come this winter? The fuel crisis puts outback tourism on the line
Winter is normally the season that outback NSW towns look forward to most. The tourists arrive, the caravan parks fill up ... This year, the question being asked by operators from Broken Hill to White Cliffs to Menindee is whether that migration is actually going to happen.
Nolans mine: Bus-in, bus-out from Alice?
The shortages caused by attacks on Iran by Israel and the US have massively increased interest in the Territory’s huge gas reserves as well as several minerals. This is clearly the main talking point at the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES) this week in Alice Springs which may become the base for a major mine.
New Australia-United Kingdom MOU to unlock more investment: Chalmers, Reeves
Today, Australia and the UK have signed an Investment Partnership to further unlock superannuation and pension capital investment between our countries. This new agreement will help to secure more two-way investment in jobs and industries and strong returns for investors from both countries.
Environmental surveys continue
VicGrid. VicGrid is continuing environmental assessments on properties within the preferred easement for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West, informing the design and planning of this critical energy infrastructure. VNI West will play a key role in ensuring Victoria has access to reliable and affordable electricity as coal-fired power stations close...
Farmers’ rights eroded
Carey Brennan. More than 100 farmers attended the recent VFF community meeting held by the St Arnaud branch on Thursday, April 9, to listen to legal experts speak about the effects of the new Victorian Treaty Act and the land acquisition procedures for transmission lines, all of which will adversely affect farmland in this district.
Fuel crisis hits hard
After more than two decades in the transport haulage business, Narrandera-based Hayllar Transport managing director Bernie Hayllar could not have envisaged the current situation he is facing due to the conflict in the Middle East. The fuel crisis has put many Riverina transport operators under extreme financial pressure due to the rising costs of fuel.
Dinawan Solar Farm approved despite strong objections
Malaysian-owned Dinawan Solar Farm has received Development Application approval, despite strong objections from neighbouring landowners and opponents throughout the district, including Hay. Dinawan will be located 30km south of Coleambally and 30km north of Jerilderie, within the South West Renewable Energy Zone and the Murrumbidgee Local Government Area.
Diesel stockpile for WA – announcement and response
The Western Australian Government has announced that it has secured a stockpile diesel. The Opposition is sceptical.
Bendigo Bank Agribusiness April insights: Rising input costs squeeze farmer margins
Recent rains have given Aussie farmers a valuable head start on sowing this season’s winter crop, but higher freight, fuel, and fertiliser costs are squeezing margins across the country, Bendigo Bank Agribusiness’ latest Monthly Commodity Update outlines.
The case of the missing urea
Some of you may have read my previous articles on Summit’s Force Majeure Gamble: A Pattern Emerges and CSBP’s Force Majeure Gamble ... The response on social media has been staggering, with the algorithms going off the charts — which tells me I have hit a nerve. Even more interesting are the stories of urea...
Shocking denial of bank services for oil and gas industries: Canavan, McDonald, Hogan
Investment in Australia’s oil and gas industries is being hamstrung by net zero policies of the major banks, despite the nation’s escalating fuel crisis ... “I am extremely concerned that the net zero policies of Australian banks prevent them from supporting businesses that have been trying to increase the production of oil, simply because they’re in the business of ‘fossil fuels’.

