A ceremony today to celebrate completion of an $8 million, 15 million litre diesel storage tank at the Gladstone, Queensland fuels terminal marks a further stage in a major program to upgrade Caltex's national terminal infrastructure as part of a supply chain improvement program.

Caltex is undertaking upgrade and expansion projects at a number of fuel storage and distribution facilities around Australia, including Melbourne, Darwin and central and northern Queensland. Planning and design work is under way on a number of further projects which, together with those already completed, will require an investment currently estimated to be in excess of $60 million. This estimate is subject to change and will firm as the design phases of the remaining projects are completed.

"This new tank in Gladstone is the largest storage tank in our Queensland regional network and it will make a big difference to the reliability and efficiency of shipping fuel to central Queensland while enabling us to expand supply to meet increasing local demand," said Caltex General Manager Marketing Mark Burrowes.

It was the first major new tank Caltex had built at a terminal in at least 20 years, Mark Burrowes said.

"We are Australia's leading fuels refiner and marketer and this is an important link in our supply chain. It is also an important part of the infrastructure that keeps central Queensland running," said Mark Burrowes.

"This investment of $8 million in the Gladstone terminal demonstrates our commitment to our customers in central Queensland. We are investing in the future of this fast growing region, and ensuring that it has sound infrastructure that will deliver safe, reliable supply of quality fuels."

Mark Burrowes said world markets continue to change, with tightening international and Australian supplies. The demand for diesel is growing and so is Australia's need to import it.

The Gladstone terminal is one of a network of 12 fuels terminals Caltex operates around Australia with access to a further 10 terminals.

The $8 million tank investment in Gladstone along with the recent upgrade of Caltex facilities at Newport in Melbourne takes Caltex's investment in its terminals to $11 million this year to date. A $3 million upgrade project is currently under way at Caltex's Cairns terminal.

Media contact:
Mark Burrowes
General Manager Marketing
Mobile: 0419 352 992
Pager: 02 9214 1146

Jenny Palmer
Media Relations & Comms Executive
Ph: 02 9250 5762
Mobile: 0403 266 047