Some of the first sites to be converted have left local communities disgruntled.
Mount Gambier’s popular community news Facebook page, Limestone Coast Community News, reported that the town’s Shell Reddy Express stopped operating as a convenience store on September 29.
Commenters were predominantly unhappy with the prospect, with the most popular comments calling for locals to support the town’s staffed fuel retailers instead.
“I hope for the remainder of the year they have a rapid downturn in usage and locals support staffed stations,” Hayley Crouch wrote.
Reddy Express claims to have over 650 sites in Australia. The Reddy Express brand replaced Coles Express after Viva purchased the Coles Express convenience business in 2023.
Viva licenses the Shell brand in Australia, alongside operating and franchising service stations including Liberty and OTR. The company also operates one of Australia’s two fuel refineries, supplying around 10 per cent of the nation’s fuel.
Unmanned service stations aren’t new in Australia, particularly in regional areas. However, Viva’s foray is part of a wider trend of large operators converting servos to self-serve operations.
As of early October, Ampol currently has 47 unmanned U-GO Self Serve locations listed on its website, spread across all states. In June Ampol acquired servo chain EG, at the time it was reported that 125 EG sites were expected to be converted to U-GO.
A Viva Energy spokesperson told Drive that every state and territory, except the Northern Territory, would have at least one unstaffed store, with the bulk of the unmanned sites located in Victoria.
“Viva Energy is committed to adapting our national fuel and convenience network of fuel convenience options to most effectively service the needs of our customers,” the spokesperson said.
“Following successful trials, the company is targeting 25 Reddy Express store conversions to our unattended format by the end of 2026. These stores will be rebranded to Shell Express.
“In addition, three Reddy Express stores have already been converted to the unattended format and have been rebranded as Liberty 24Xpress.
“…EV charging installations are not part of the current rollout plan however may be considered in the future.
“The Shell Express conversions by state: ACT 1; NSW 4; Qld 4; SA 2; Tas 3; Vic 9 and WA 2.”
The CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, Theo Foukkare, told 3AW that motorists should not worry about all fuel retailers converting to unstaffed models.
“Rest assured, this does not mean the whole industry is going to be moving like this. But [it is viable] where a store effectively, in most cases, doesn’t have adequate shop sales so the model doesn’t work to have staff on site.”
“But it [still] has a role to play in serving fuel to the community to keep them going.”
