People on Christmas Island are waiting far longer than usual for freight deliveries of food and mail.
While the Indian Ocean territory, more than 2,600km north-west of Perth, has had its fair share of isolation-related issues, recent wait times for deliveries have blown out severely.
Locals are experiencing food delays of more than two weeks and say that when produce does arrive, it is often past its expiration date.
Lodge owner Chris Bray said produce had not been such a big issue as his chef used fresh produce and locally foraged food.
But in terms of postal deliveries, it had been very difficult.
"We're OK for produce, but for deliveries, that's different. We're waiting on bank cards so we can open up a new bank account for the company," he said.
Postage deliveries and mail are typically flown in every two weeks or so, however Mr Bray said there was a backlog of at least a month.
The island resident of five years said while supply had always been a problem, the delays were not good enough.
"We get a ship every six weeks — it's more like every two months — and what a lot of people do is stock up in advance for food that's not perishable, but businesses and locals on the island are struggling to get enough fresh supplies.
"When the container ship does arrive, the food is almost all expired, spoiled and unusable."
Health of residents at risk
Locals have been told by freight companies that the delays are largely due to supply chain issues.
Several freight flights have been cancelled or delayed due to technical problems during flights or because of staff shortages.
Christmas Island Shire President Gordon Thomson said the health of people living on the island was at risk.
He said people relied on the mail service to book and attend hospital appointments in Perth.
"When the mail is delayed by months, people do not know when they can access health services," he said.
"If the mail doesn't come, you don't get your appointment; now, you might have been waiting months for this appointment, so you're missing out on essential health services."
He said people were also losing access to essential prescription medications.
A growing problem with no sustainable solution
Christmas Island Tourism Association chair Lisa Preston said she had a tour group coming and did not know how she was going to feed them.
Ms Preston, a resident for more than 25 years, said delivery times had always been a challenge and called for a long-term solution.
"There are options we could be looking at to grow produce here on the island; we have the land space to do it," she said.
A spokesperson for the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications said it was actively working with contractors to schedule recovery services, focusing on priority items for essential community needs.
"Virgin Australia advises it is working with Toll to operate freight services in addition to those already scheduled in coming weeks," the spokesperson said.
"The next scheduled freighter is due this Friday, May 6."
