Petrol price rises in Port Stephens hit hard

Simon Hull, who runs four tipper trucks plus a water cartage service from his Salt Ash property which is inside the 'red zone', has over the past few years been impacted by PFAS contamination exposure, bushfires, the pandemic and floods.

He says the recent fuel price rise had added between 35 and 40 per cent to his monthly bills.

"When the price of fuel was around $1.30-$1.40 a litre, I was spending around $6,000 a month. I am now paying up to 40 per cent more at the petrol bowser," he said.

Mr Hull, who employs two drivers, said that the price increase had also made him wary of what jobs to pick up and what to forego.

"Most of my trucks travel around the Hunter and as far away as Wauchope, but when you have four trucks running at a time the price of fuel becomes a major consideration. A lot of the time I feel I am better off saying 'no' to some jobs."

Mr Hull said that his trucking business had been through some tough times.

"We were pretty much unscathed through the early part of the pandemic but that changed last year when development sites began closing down due to a lack of materials."

An NRMA spokesperson said that there had been an upward trend in fuel prices for the past 12 months.

"The recent spike in prices is not just a result of the war in Ukraine, there has been a limit on production worldwide," NRMA spokesperson Katrina Usman said.

"The record prices that NSW motorists have seen lately are forecast to fall as early as next week. However, due to the volatility of the market, prices can just as easily go the other way."

Ms Usman said that Port Stephens was faring just as well as its neighbouring cities of Newcastle and Maitland.

"As of March 17, the average price for unleaded petrol in Port Stephens was $2.10 per litre compared to Newcastle $2.09 and Maitland $2.11. Sydney was slightly higher at $2.15."

She said there were many reasons why fuel was cheaper in the regions compared to the major cities, one being a lower demand in regional areas.

The toll taken on Mr Hull, meanwhile, continues to grow, but he says he is not alone.

"My business has taken a hit, but I am coping, others [who rely on transport for work] are suffering in silence," Mr Hull said.

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