The terminal will boost Australia's fuel import capabilities in regional Queensland and increase fuel storage capacity to ensure the region is fully supported despite a downturn in Australia's refinery industry, Puma Energy Australia's general manager Ray Taylor said.

With six storage tanks with 56 megalitres of storage capacity and joined to the port by a dedicated overground pipeline of 1.6km, the terminal would ensure supply security and provide much-needed competition to Central and North Queensland, he said.

“A great deal of Australia's mining activity happens out of Central Queensland and supply security is critical to ensure the industry's success,” Taylor said.

“As more Australian refineries close we will start to see a greater dependence on fuel imports, and yet there has been a significant lack of investment towards developing the infrastructure needed to manage this change.

“We are responding to a significant gap in the market and our investment in Mackay is to support the mining industry and our acquisition of Central Combined Group, which has an outstanding reputation in the region.”

Taylor said the terminal was a major asset for the region with Puma Energy's access to worldwide independent fuel supply through its partnership with global trading house Trafigura.

“Puma Energy can source its fuel from anywhere in the world based on quality, price and timing, and with our in-house capabilities to import, store and distribute premium fuel and diesel it means we can be more competitive against the major retailers and it will mean better value for our customers,” Taylor said.

The development is Puma Energy's first Australian greenfield import terminal and highlights its investment commitment in Australia since announcing its market entry in January 2013.

Taylor said the terminal demonstrated Puma Energy's clear and focused goal to improving Australia's independent fuel industry.

“Puma Energy has recently commenced a major redevelopment of its retail network, with plans to refurbish more than 100 service stations around Australia in 2014, improving the customer experience with better access to more premium fuels and rebranding the stores to Puma Energy's iconic green and red branding,” Taylor said.

“In addition to the refurbishment plans, we will also be launching our national fuel card on June 1, which will become the most widely accepted retail-branded fuel card in Australia.”