Reliable access to fuel is a cornerstone of Southland’s economic resilience.

The recent storm across the province, and subsequent concerns about access to fuel supplies, only highlighted how much our businesses, farmers and communities rely on consistent local supplies.

The coalition Government recently released a new Fuel Security Plan to safeguard transport and logistics systems, and emergency services, from any international or domestic disruption.

This strategy will ensure everyone in our country has reliable access to fuel in case of global or domestic disruptions.

Fuel security is crucial to our province and our country’s economic resilience and wellbeing.

As an island nation, reliant on imported fuels, we must be prepared for global supply chain shocks and domestic disruptions.

The plan, published this month, builds on actions the Government has already started, such as increasing onshore fuel stocks and the production of a National Fuel Plan for emergency responses.

The Fuel Security Plan sets out a clear pathway to further strengthen our resilience to ensure people and businesses can continue to access fuel, no matter what challenges the future brings.

The plan focuses on four key areas: resilience against global supply shocks, domestic resilience, supporting domestic fuel alternatives and resilience in a transitioning market.

The Fuel Security Plan is not just about managing risk it’s also about supporting economic growth and building greater self-reliance.

That means investing in domestically produced energy, including alternative fuels and renewable energy, to reduce our dependence on global markets and creating new opportunities for regional development and innovation.

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