Gas rises with petrol prices

By Paul Dunlop
SOARING petrol prices have prompted motorists to step on the gas in a bid to ease the squeeze on household finances.
Local residents are having their cars converted to gas in unprecedented numbers as they try to avoid skyrocketing fuel bills.
The move comes as petrol prices in the Pakenham and Berwick districts hit $1.35 per litre for unleaded fuel.
The Gazette revealed last week that the high price of petrol had also prompted some cashstrapped motorists to offer mobile phones, watches and CDs in exchange for petrol.
Petrol theft is another concern, with police receiving regular reports of motorists using stolen cars and obscured or false number plates to steal petrol.
Pakenham acting Senior Sergeant Phil Jury said special fittings were available to ensure number plates were kept secure.
Residents are really starting to feel the impact of an issue that is creating concern Australiawide.
Greg Chalmers from Officerbased Rawson Motors said the hip pocket factor had prompted more and more motorists to convert their cars to run on gas.
Hikes in petrol prices have meant families running two cars are facing fuel bills of more than $100 each week.
“Lots of people are changing over, it’s going berserk,” Mr Chalmers said.
“It started about four to six weeks ago.
“Once petrol went over $1 per litre it just took off and it’s showing no signs of slowing.”
Mr Chalmers said the last time there was such a huge demand for gas conversion was during the Gulf War in the early 1990s.
He said his customers were happy to pay about $2000 for the conversion.
“It only takes about 18 months and it has paid for itself,” he said.
Mr Chalmers said he was taking up to 20 inquiries a day about conversions.
“It’s just going on and on.”
Service station operator Sam Christophides said residents were wrong to blame petrol stations for the increases.
He said fuel theft was having a serious impact on takings.
Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) executive director David Purchase said fuel theft was costing the industry up to $14 million a year.
“These are significant losses when you consider that service stations are only making two or three cents a litre if they’re lucky,” Mr Purchase said.
“So if someone is stealing a tank of petrol, which these days can be $60 to $70, it takes a lot more sales to make up that loss.”