The fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is no longer a distant headline. It is landing in the inboxes, on the invoices and in the conversations of businesses right across the Southern Gold Coast, and the data is now confirming what many of you are already feeling firsthand.

The numbers tell a confronting story

A survey of hundreds of Queensland businesses conducted in the first days of April found that nearly two in three are experiencing moderate to severe cost impacts from the global fuel disruption. Many are reporting price increases of between 11 and 50 per cent on their operating costs, and the responses they are taking just to stay open are significant.

More than four in ten businesses have had to pass costs on to customers. Over a quarter have changed their delivery and logistics schedules. Close to one in five have deferred or cancelled jobs or contracts. Fifteen per cent have reduced their operating hours and over 13 per cent have asked staff to stay home. When businesses of every size, in every sector, are making those kinds of decisions simultaneously, the cumulative effect on our region’s economy is substantial.

Perhaps most concerning is confidence in what comes next. Nearly 44 per cent of businesses surveyed said they are not confident they can manage fuel supply over the coming four weeks, and that uncertainty makes planning, staffing and investment decisions extremely difficult.

What is happening nationally

As of early April 2026, Australia has approximately 30 days of diesel, 39 days of petrol and 30 days of jet fuel at normal consumption levels, with contracted tankers continuing to arrive from South Korea, India, Malaysia and Singapore. The government has been clear this is not a countdown clock, but the situation remains fluid and is changing rapidly.

On 30 March, National Cabinet agreed to a National Fuel Security Plan. From 1 April, fuel excise has been halved from 52.6 cents to 26.3 cents per litre for three months, representing approximately $130 off a 400 litre tank. The Federal Government has also underwritten the purchase of uncontracted oil on the spot market, released strategic reserves to stabilise supply and temporarily lowered fuel quality standards for 60 days to bring additional supply into the local market. It may take a few days for the full savings to flow through to retail prices as service stations work through existing stock.

The Easter test: what our region is about to experience

The Southern Gold Coast is one of Queensland’s most significant domestic tourism destinations and Easter is one of its biggest trading weekends of the year. Over the four-day break, our beaches, restaurants, cafes, surf clubs and retail strips absorb an enormous influx of visitors from across the country. For many of our hospitality and tourism businesses, Easter can represent a week’s worth of normal trade compressed into four days.

This year that surge arrives at the worst possible moment. While visitor numbers will bring welcome foot traffic, the fuel crisis is simultaneously driving up the cost of every delivery, every freight run, every supplier invoice and every kilometre driven by staff getting to work in the dark. Refrigerated transport operators, food and beverage suppliers, event contractors and retailers are all feeling the squeeze at a time when they can least afford disruption.

The opportunity is real. The visitors are coming. But the cost of delivering on that opportunity is rising in ways that are difficult to plan for and harder still to absorb. For businesses heading into their busiest weekend of the quarter, that tension is being felt right now.

What this means in the weeks ahead

Easter will bring a short-term revenue boost for many, but it will not bring relief from the underlying pressure. The impacts most likely to continue affecting our members are through freight costs, supply chain renegotiations and the flow-on effect of higher input costs across almost every industry. Businesses that rely on diesel for vehicles, refrigeration or generators remain particularly exposed. Construction, freight, agriculture, hospitality and retail are all feeling the pressure and the knock-on effects are touching almost every corner of our local economy.

What the Chamber is doing

On 1 April, as your Chamber President, I attended a joint briefing with Business Chamber Queensland, bringing together chamber leaders from across the state to discuss the national fuel security situation and coordinate our advocacy response.

The Chamber is actively raising the cost pressures facing Southern Gold Coast businesses, including fuel, supply chain disruption and cash flow impacts, at every opportunity with our local, state and federal representatives. We are also contributing to the national business survey effort to ensure the Southern Gold Coast’s voice is part of the data being presented to government. The more businesses from our region who complete the survey, the stronger our collective case becomes.

What businesses need most right now is targeted support, particularly cash flow measures, practical help to retain employees and clear coordinated communication from government. We are advocating for all of it and will continue doing so as the situation develops.

What you can do right now

If your business is being impacted by rising fuel or freight costs, there are several practical steps worth taking immediately.

Fill up where you can, particularly if your business relies on diesel vehicles or refrigerated transport. Use RACQ Fuel and Deals, Fuel Map Australia or PetrolSpy to find the best local pricing before sending vehicles out.

Confirm delivery and logistics commitments with your suppliers and freight partners now, particularly heading into any upcoming busy trading periods.

Keep detailed records of any business impact you are experiencing. Documentation of cost increases, cancelled contracts or operational changes will be important if government support programs expand or relief applications become available.

Complete the Business Chamber Queensland fuel crisis survey at form.typeform.com/to/OhDA6pLO. Your voice matters and it only takes a few minutes.

Stay informed

The Chamber will continue sharing updates as the situation develops. If you have questions or would like to discuss how the fuel crisis is affecting your business specifically, please reach out directly to president@sgc.org.au.

We are also hosting Cups and Connections on 30 April at Palm Beach Surf Club, a casual morning panel with local councillors and state and federal representatives. Given everything that is currently happening, this is exactly the right time to be in the same room as the people who can help.

Book your seat at sgc.org.au.

Published by Leanne Cohens, President