Rising fuel costs and supply disruptions risk grounding vital conservation, fire preparedness and land management work across regional and remote Australia
The Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA) has raised urgent concerns with the National Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator ahead of today’s National Cabinet meeting, saying fuel volatility is affecting the ability of conservation organisations to operate effectively in the field, and want to ensure the sector’s concerns are given consideration as part of discussions.
“From bushfire recovery and remediation activities, to restoring habitats and protecting threatened species, this work doesn’t happen from an office desk,” said ALCA Chief Executive Officer Jody Gunn. “It happens on the ground, often hundreds of kilometres from major centres. Without reliable fuel supply, essential environmental work simply can’t get done.”
ALCA represents organisations that protect, manage and restore nature on private and non-government land. They deliver field‑based programs across regional, rural and remote Australia, including invasive species and weed control, threatened species recovery, bushfire preparedness and response, habitat restoration and direct support for landholders.
“This work underpins healthy landscapes, resilient communities and productive regional economies,” Ms Gunn said. “It protects nationally significant environmental assets and delivers on conservation priorities backed by governments and communities alike.”
ALCA member organisations employ more than 1,000 people and are supported by a substantial volunteer workforce contributing over 170,000 hours annually. Collectively, ALCA members have improved biodiversity outcomes across more than 9.3 per cent of Australia.
“Fuel is mission‑critical for organisations like our members,” Ms Gunn said. “When fuel becomes more expensive or hard to access, organisations are less able to move staff or equipment. That means missed management windows, less support for landholders, reduced readiness for fire and emergency response, and delays to time‑critical conservation programs.”
While conservation organisations are doing what they can to manage fuel risks – including reducing non‑essential travel, adjusting operations and exploring alternative vehicles – Ms Gunn said the nature of the work limits how far those changes can go.
“This is field‑based work, often in remote locations, where safety, timing and access matter,” she said. “There’s only so much fuel reliance you can cut before outcomes are put at risk.”
ALCA is calling on governments to recognise fuel supply volatility as a serious operational risk to environmental service delivery, not simply a transport issue. The Alliance is recommending practical, near-term support to keep essential work moving, including fuel cost assistance for remote operations, targeted funding relief, greater flexibility in grant delivery, and coordinated fuel supply and contingency planning.
“Governments rely on land conservation organisations to deliver enormous public benefit,” Ms Gunn said. “Keeping these organisations active in the field is essential to protecting Australia’s landscapes, communities and long-term prosperity.”
