The NT Government hopes to refurbish, rather than demolish, the Rio Tinto fuel storage tanks. Photo: Leung Chopan.
The Northern Territory has called on the Federal Government to fund the restoration of fuel storage in North East Arnhem Land as part of the Australian Fuel Security Reserve plan.
Through the $3.2 billion plan, the Federal Government intends to establish a 1 billion-litre reserve of aviation fuel and diesel for the regions.
The NT Government has raised the issue of Rio Tinto’s fuel-compliant storage tanks, which are set to be demolished now that their related operations are winding down.
Under its proposal, the government would help refurbish the tanks to secure fuel stocks for regional and national needs as part of the Finocchiaro CLP administration’s Nhulunbuy Transition.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, along with Arnhem Land Gumatj and Rirratjingu Aboriginal corporations, has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling for help to fund the refurbishment.
“As the Territory works to drive the economic transition of East Arnhem Land beyond mining, there is a clear opportunity for the Commonwealth to step up and partner with us on a project of national significance,” she said.
“After the war in the Middle East exposed the fragility of Australia’s fuel supply chains, I am calling on the Prime Minister to make the Gove Peninsula a critical part of the national solution to secure fuel supplies.
“The Territory is well placed to make a significant contribution to provide fuel security for the Gove Peninsula and Australia.”
The region has seven fuel-compliant storage tanks, with a combined holding capacity of 220 million litres, in addition to a deep-water port that can support national fuel storage and distribution.
“Rather than see Rio Tinto decommission and demolish these assets, we have an opportunity to strengthen Australia’s fuel resilience, support remote communities, create local jobs, and deliver a new economic future for East Arnhem Land,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“But time is running out. Rio Tinto must make decisions on the future of this infrastructure by the middle of 2027.
“The traditional owners are ready. The Territory is ready. And industry is ready.”
