Fuel burden hits home

By Alison Noonan
SKYROCKETING petrol prices are costing Cranbourne motorists an extra $300,000 per week.
With fuel averaging at $1.30 and tipped to increase, locals are paying a higher price to stay on the road than many other Victorian suburbs, according to an analysis prepared by the Labor Government’s Family Watch.
Family Watch spokesperson Catherine King said Cranbourne residents were forking out $11.44 extra per motorist per week compared to January.
She said this figure was above the state average of $9.84.
“This is money that families could be using to pay off the mortgage,” Ms King said.
“Or it could be used to pay off debt, or if they are lucky enough, go to the movies, take the family out for dinner or put towards the family holiday,” she said.
Her concerns were echoed by Cranbourne Information and Support Services manager Leanne Petrides, who said demand for fuel vouchers was through the roof.
“Increasing petrol prices are having such a negative impact on Casey families in so many ways.
“The demand for assistance in general has increased, particularly with petrol vouchers.
“However we can only give out a limited number for emergency situations.
“Even when there are no requests for fuel everyone comments on how the increase is impacting on their personal budgets,” Ms Petrides said.
Ms Petrides said the soaring prices had hit Cranbourne families harder than an interest rate hike, claiming more residents were reliant on cars than public transport.
“Public transport isn’t great in this area, particularly for those in the coastal villages.
“Then there is the problem of where you take the extra money from to pay for the petrol.
“The juggling of budgets can be stressful and can lead to family problems and arguments.
“In the first 12 days of September we assisted nearly 130 families for emergency relief.
“That’s around 11 families a day, which is a lot.
“It’s very full on,” she said.
Ms Petrides said the number of volunteers at the organisation had also dropped as fuel prices increased.
“It impacts on drivers who travel from all over to come here.
“Some volunteers have had to cut down their hours because they can’t afford the petrol costs,” she said.