People in Junee and across the South West Slopes Times readership area have been spotting wild scenes at the petrol station including people loading large tanks into trailers and filling them up, or people stacking petrol containers into their boots to fill. Although the Government has warned against panic buying fuel, as the US/Israel – Iran war continues.
Diesel is crucial for farmers who often get it delivered in bulk to keep it in their big tanks on the farm. Panic buying has appeared to have started, and prices are going up, and supplies in some areas are getting very tight.
Petrol stations are reporting that their Wednesday stock is being sold out by Friday, a rate that exceeds even the Covid pandemic.
Distributors buy fuel from the major companies, which is then distributed across NSW, but this fuel is starting to dry up quick.
Some petrol stations are reporting they are down to 100,000 litres for a month, which equals the total amount of fuel sold in a day for some areas.
This could be a serious blow to a lot of local businesses and people.
A fuel supplier in Northwest New South Wales says it’s rationing fuel as local petrol stations urge customers to top up only instead of stockpiling.
This will have a knock on effect if people continue to panic-buy fuel, as emergency services, transportation services and farms will feel the pressure.
Farmers across the region are reporting that the fuel crisis will have a serious impact on their farms. Some are even considering cutting back winter crop planting entirely.
The price of oil is still climbing today, and the price of diesel will follow suit. More Middle East oil and gas facilities were struck over the weekend, so the uncertainty for Australian farmers will continue.
One person who stocked up heavily at a service station received backlash from the community after a video went up online.
Some people defended it, saying, “Probably has an Earthmoving business or a farm. I would be doing the same if I had a tank like that because hard now to get it delivered.”
Another person said, “Old mates fuelling up for his tractor. What’s the problem?”
Some people pointed out that it isn’t as unusual as it may seem, and the panic-buying news has only drawn more attention to it.
Although others have been criticising members of the community for their fuel purchases.
The Government and petrol stations urge people not to bulk or panic buy.
– Jack Murray
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