The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has been vocal this week, calling for some real leadership from the Federal Government. But while the big picture is being debated in Canberra, we’re feeling the ripple effects right here in Gunnedah.
For our local livestock transporters, this isn't just an inconvenience, it’s a massive hit to the bottom line. When your operating costs jump 20% overnight, but your margins are only sitting at 5%, the math simply doesn't add up. If our local carriers can't afford to put fuel in the tanks, the whole chain stops.
It’s the same story for our croppers. Whether you’re prepping a paddock or getting ready for the next phase of the season, diesel is the lifeblood of the farm. When fuel becomes a rationed luxury rather than a standard tool, it puts every harvest and every planting at risk.
ALRTA President Gerard Johnson hit the nail on the head: the worst thing we can do right now is panic. We’ve seen it before, rumours of a shortage lead to a rush on the pumps, which creates a real shortage that didn't need to happen. We’re urging everyone in our local community to act sensibly. Buying what you need is fair; clearing out the tanks just because you’re worried only makes it harder for the truckie trying to get cattle to market or the farmer trying to finish a day's work.
You might remember back in 2022 when the government cut the fuel excise. While it looked good on the surface, it actually stripped away the fuel tax credits that our heavy vehicle operators rely on, adding even more pressure to their cash flow. We don’t need band-aid fixes that accidentally hurt our freight sector; we need a steady supply and transparent information.
When our trucks stop, our supermarkets empty and our local economy feels the chill. Gunnedah has always been a resilient community that looks out for one another. Let’s keep that spirit going, stay calm, avoid the panic-buy, and let’s keep the pressure on our leaders to ensure the fuel keeps flowing.
We’re all in this together, and the best way to keep Gunnedah moving is to keep our heads cool, even if the prices are a bit hot.
Image source: Beef Central
With fodder reserves currently high and a strong production period underway, landholders across New England and North West NSW are presented with a timely window to secure their feed strategies ahead of changing weather patterns.
It’s easy to take for granted the dirt on our boots and the effortless way our kids learn where their food comes from. Standing here in Gunnedah, getting ready to send my eldest son off to Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School next year with his two younger brothers hopefully following in his footsteps, I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to live this lifestyle. But step outside our regional bubble, and the divide between city children and the farm gate has never been wider.
Stand on the edge of any paddock at sunrise across our region, and you’ll see a landscape built on generations of grit, local knowledge, and good old-fashioned hard work. But look a little closer at the horizon today, and you might just catch a user-friendly drone hovering silently into view
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