AUSTRALIA — A fifth-generation family timber operation in Bulahdelah says it is absorbing an almost $8000 weekly fuel surge to keep hardwood moving to Australia’s cities. Anthony Dorney operates two hardwood sawmills continuing a timber cutting tradition which has lasted for more than a century. Last week, Anthony pulled up to the bowser (Australian word for gas pump) and paid $2.90 a litre. In a single week, the Dorneys say daily fuel costs across the two operations have climbed by more than $7,800. Every tonne of Tallowwood, Ironbark and Blackbutt that leaves Bulahdelah does so on a fuel-powered truck. The two mills employ more than ten percent of the local town’s population and supply a large share of north-east NSW’s hardwood – running supply chains south to Sydney and the Central Coast, west to Canberra, and north to Brisbane. “It’s all due to a critical shortage at the bowser and growing rationing between customers,” Dorney said.

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