Remote communities relying on diesel left vulnerable amid fuel crisis

Topic:Rural and Remote Communities

The remote Western Desert community of Punmu is run on diesel generators. (ABC News: Alistair Bates)

In short:

Remote communities already battling for access to fuel are under increased pressure from the conflict in Iran.

Some could be forced to choose between travelling for appointments or purchasing food if prices continue to rise

What's next?

For communities reliant on diesel generators for power, and power required for necessities like water, there has been a renewed push for renewable energy sources.

Remote communities reliant on diesel generators are concerned they will be left without access to power as fuel prices continue to rise because of the Iran war.

Some are looking to renewables for a more stable power supply, while others affected by floods have been warned to expect further fuel price hikes.

In WA's Kimberley region, Djarindjin Aboriginal Corporation CEO Nathan McIvor said residents would not be able to afford fuel if prices continued to rise.

Nathan McIvor says people are now tossing up between attending appointments or getting food. (ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)

The community, approximately 170 kilometres north of Broome, relies on diesel generators for power.

"When you've got some people living on the poverty line as it is, it makes it very difficult for people to be able to move around," he said.

The corporation owns the community's only roadhouse, and Mr McIvor said they had done their best to keep costs down.

"If it continues, we can't wear that cost for very long," he said.

The diesel dilemma

The community of Punmu, 1,300 kilometres north of Perth, is also reliant on diesel generators for power.

In 2023, the WA state government transferred responsibility for the delivery of power services to 117 remote Aboriginal communities, including Punmu, to state-owned Horizon Power.

Punmu Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Edith Costello said while the community had adequate supplies for now, she was concerned about future access to fuel.

Edith Costello says water stops working within eight hours if fuel runs out. (ABC News: Charlie Mclean)

"If for some reason we can't get our fuel supply through, that will change things drastically for us," Ms Costello said.

"Really, we would have to shut the community down."

If Punmu's power station ran out of fuel, Ms Costello said the community would run out of drinking water within eight hours.

Ms Costello said transitioning to renewable energy was the most logical choice.

"I couldn't tell you the number of daylight hours here, but it's a pure blue sky with not one cloud at the moment and lots of free energy," she said.

"I've heard that Horizon are working on that, and I'm eagerly waiting to hear from them."

Punmu is a remote community in the Western Desert, almost 600 kilometres east of Port Hedland. (ABC News: Charlie McLean)

Horizon Power said power supply to communities in WA remained stable and there was no indication of any immediate risk to power continuity.

It said it was in the process of upgrading power systems in remote communities, including transitioning some communities to renewable sources.

A spokesperson said Outback Stores, which operated 59 stores in remote communities nationally, had seen price increases from suppliers, which could see prices rise in the future.