Council’s fuel bill to reach $8m

FUELLING a fleet that covers a 13,000sq km region can be costly business, as Toowoomba Regional Council is finding out.

A tender awarded to four entities this month revealed the council will spend $8 million of ratepayers’ money at the pump over the next year ensuring it keeps its motors running. Cars as well as mechanical machinery form part of the fleet, which the council revealed is worth $90m. Crows Nest Fuels was the only Darling Downs company of the four suppliers awarded the contract.

Caltex Australia, Pacific Petroleum and United Petroleum are the other suppliers contracted for the next 12 months. Councillor Mike Williams broke down how that money would be spent over the next year.

“Toowoomba Regional Council recently awarded a contract for the supply of

❝...Allows TRC to efficiently operate over 1800 items of plant and fleet valued at $90 million across its 13,000sq km region. — Cr Mike Williams

bulk fuel which allows TRC to efficiently operate over 1800 items of plant and fleet valued at $90 million across its 13,000sq km region,” he said.

“The contract is awarded for an initial period of one year, with an option to extend for a further 12 months, subject to satisfactory performance.”

The tender is now the third most expensive contract the council has awarded over the past year.