This week the federal government announced a plan to secure Australia’s long-term fuel supply with a package including a $211 million investment in new domestic diesel storage facilities, reforms to create a minimum onshore stockholding, and measures to support local refineries.
This package presents an incredible opportunity for my own region and is something I would encourage both the state and federal governments to explore further.
I have had preliminary discussions with key stakeholders in the Portland area who also think this is a great opportunity to make use of an existing industrial site while provide ongoing opportunities for the port.
There is a decommissioned fuel storage site sitting idle in an industrial area of Portland, with pipeline infrastructure already in place directly to the wharf at the Port of Portland—a natural deep water port strategically positioned between Melbourne and Adelaide.
This federal government package presents an incredible opportunity to re-commission this site and in turn create ongoing jobs for Portland, long-term opportunities for the port, and it will help provide fuel security to the western region and into the south-west of South Australia.
Portland is perfectly placed to take a leading role in Australia’s fuel security, and I will work to make this a reality. I urge the Minister for Resources to join me and to go into bat for Portland and western Victoria and make strong representations to her federal counterpart, putting Portland’s case forward.
