Water users and the communities they support, along with all Australians, are deeply concerned about the current fuel and fertiliser supply crisis impacting our growers.

Fuel and fertiliser are two of farming’s biggest costs and are surging to record shortages and price spikes, putting added pressure on water users as they head closer to harvest and preparation for winter planting.

Our growers need diesel to operate their farms – It powers farming machines during harvest, runs irrigation pumps and supports the supply-chain for food and fibre that feeds and clothes our nation and the world.

Growers need certainty that access to fuel will be prioritised without impacting the season’s upcoming harvest. Regional towns from the coast to inland NSW are already experiencing fuel shortages and record diesel and fertiliser prices.

Any disruption to supply chain operations risks delaying harvest, reducing crop output and causing economic damage to regional towns. It will affect our food supply chain and the prices we see at our local fruit and vegetable shops and on our supermarket shelves.

Now is the time for NSW to make existing water policy work, not to add more reform. Delivering a workable solution to the fuel crisis that provides certainty to our growers is a critical priority to keep regional communities thriving as they head towards harvest and winter planting.