Petrol prices to rise over Easter

BUSINESSES on the Northern Rivers are furious that petrol prices are on the rise in the lead-up to Easter.

BUSINESSES on the Northern Rivers are furious that petrol prices are on the rise in the lead-up to Easter.

Unleaded petrol could get close to $1.40 a litre before Thursday, industry experts have warned.

And although the increases will mean an added cost for families with travel plans, businesses are also being forced to absorb the costs.

Ian Cunningham from Wizz Couriers, which covers the entire Northern Rivers region, said he ‘could not understand the mentality’ behind fuel hikes.

“As a courier company, we can’t put a 10 per cent surcharge on our prices like restaurants do on public holidays,” he said.

“Every cent that petrol goes up costs me an extra $1000.

“We just have to lose it. We have to wear it because we need petrol – there’s no way around it.

“We have to fill up every day.”

Newsagents also feel the brunt, with costs adding up for home deliveries.

Stuart Kilborn from Ballina News said any price rise affected their bottom line.

“It does bother you, but you just get used to it,” he said.

“Petrol companies are notorious for putting prices up at times like this.

“We try to make sure our vehicles are full of petrol before the prices go up, but there is really nothing that we can do.”

Mr Kilborn called on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to take a stand against unreasonable fuel prices.

“It’s outrageous if fuel is going to cost $1.40,” he said.

“Until the ACCC starts doing something, nothing will change.”

Petrol prices have plateaued at a 17-month high in the week leading up to Easter.

The national average price of a litre of unleaded is $1.29, according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum.

Commsec economist Savanth Sebastian said there was ‘no excuse’ for a price rise.

FuelTrac says the best time to fill up would be today, with prices getting as high as $1.38 from tonight.

PETROL PRICES YESTERDAY

Ballina: $1.29

Lismore: $1.28

Casino: $1.27

National average: $1.29

Originally published as Petrol prices to rise over Easter