What does the Tonkin Highway closure mean for deliveries?

Partial closures force trucks onto longer detours, lifting transit times by roughly 25–60 minutes per leg, depending on depot locations. Expect higher fuel costs, tighter delivery windows, and occasional missed night drops. Priority will shift to essential loads, with cold-chain runs and fuel tankers resequenced first.

How should businesses respond to DFES emergency warning settings?

Put staff safety first. Follow DFES instructions, confirm evacuation plans, and switch to remote work where possible. Adjust opening hours to daylight and safe travel. Communicate with carriers on staging and proof-of-delivery timing. Reassess inventory buffers and backorder policies in case the fire area or roadblocks expand.

What are the key investor watchpoints over the next 72 hours?

Focus on containment progress, DFES updates, and the staged reopening of Tonkin Highway. Track retailer stock levels, carrier detour notices, and any early insurance loss tallies. If closures continue, expect higher short-haul rates, longer warehouse dwell times, and selective shelf gaps in fresh and chilled goods.

Could this event change insurance pricing in WA?

If losses remain modest, broader pricing effects are unlikely. A larger event could raise 2H FY26 combined ratios and add pressure at 1 July reinsurance renewals, especially catastrophe layers. Watch guidance, claim counts, and any confirmation of catastrophe designations or higher allowances for secondary peril risk.

Law and Government

Perth Bushfires February 02: Tonkin Highway Closures Hit Logistics

ByHuzaifa Zahoor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A severe fire perth event on 2 February has driven Perth bushfire evacuations and forced partial Tonkin Highway closure during 41.3C heat. We see immediate logistics disruption for freight, fuel, and supermarket replenishment across Perth’s south and southeast corridors. DFES emergency warning settings and roadblocks can extend transit times and lift costs. Investors should monitor carrier detours, retail stock availability, and any escalation in insured property damage. Short-term impacts hinge on wind shifts, suppression progress, and the duration of closures affecting arterial routes.