Chamber in Action: Fuel Crisis Impacts Whitsundays Businesses

Whitsunday Chamber President Allan Milostic Photo supplied

‍

‍

Last week, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented the region’s business community at a roundtable with the Queensland Minister for Small and Family Business, Steve Minnikin, alongside the Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner, peak state and national industry bodies, and regional Chambers of Commerce.

The roundtable provided an important opportunity for knowledge exchange, bringing forward real-world examples and discussing targeted, practical interventions to address both the short- and long-term impacts of the current fuel situation. The Chamber’s focus was clear: ensuring a strong regional perspective was part of the conversation.

‍

Being at the table means more than representation, it’s about shaping outcomes. By engaging directly with decision-makers, the Chamber ensures local priorities are heard, understood, and acted upon for the benefit of the entire Whitsundays community.

Chamber President Allan Milostic said it was critical the region remains at the forefront of discussions.

“These conversations are where real advocacy begins. Being part of these discussions ensures the concerns of our region are not only heard but can be elevated at both state and federal levels where decisions are made,” he said.

Data from Business Chamber Queensland highlights the scale of the issue, with 95% of Queensland businesses reporting impacts, and more than 70% experiencing major or severe challenges.

‍

Allan said the situation is rapidly escalating for regional communities.

“We are hearing from businesses experiencing supply chain challenges more significant than those during COVID lockdowns. Flights into the region are being reduced, impacting both tourism and freight. At the same time, consumer confidence is being reported lower than during COVID, affecting discretionary spending and travel commitments, with a noticeable shift toward online purchasing,” he said.

“The high cost of living and high cost of doing business existed before the fuel crisis, they are now being amplified.”

Locally, the impacts are being felt across all sectors, with flow-on effects for businesses, workers, and the broader community.

‍

The Chamber is encouraging practical, community-led responses:

• Shop local first to keep the regional economy viable.

• Take a measured approach to fuel purchasing to avoid unnecessary strain on supply.

• Maintain critical services such as public and school bus networks.

• Support young people, trainees, and apprentices to access transport to work.

• For businesses to seek professional financial advice and be cautious of predatory lending or quick loan offers.

The Chamber is also reinforcing key advocacy priorities, including:

1. Fuel security — addressing both pricing and supply, including sovereign capability and international supply chains, to ensure certainty for agriculture, tourism, health, and transport sectors.

2. Access to reliable, real-time information — including clear, centralised public reporting to support informed decision-making at a regional level.

‍

Have Your Say

To strengthen its advocacy, the Chamber is calling on regional businesses to share their experiences.

Businesses are invited to complete a short survey to help inform ongoing advocacy efforts and ensure the real impacts of the fuel crisis are clearly communicated to all levels of government.

‍

Contributed with thanks to the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce and Industry