As a result of the conflict in the Middle East, the disruption in oil supply has seen the numbers at the bowser rise by at least $1 at most petrol stations across the country.
A post on the Courier’s Facebook page asking locals how they have been affected prompted a number of users to express concern about the growing prices.
Many wrote they were worried about making it to work and appointments.
“It makes my financial situation harder,” one person wrote.
“It means less food on the table and I am even more isolated living out of town, I literally cannot leave the house now unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Some local service stations are now charging more than $3 a litre for diesel.
State Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said farmers across the region were increasingly concerned about the rising cost of fuel, which was critical for planting, harvesting and transporting produce.
Mr McCurdy said reports showed some farmers were unable to secure diesel deliveries, while others feared shortages could delay key farming activities such as sowing.
“An empty fuel tank means machinery stops, and when machinery stops, food production stops,” he said.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said fuel shortages affected rural communities very differently to metropolitan households because farming operations relied solely on critical fuel to grow their products.
“For farmers, timing is everything. Farming runs on narrow weather windows, and if the tank is empty at the wrong moment, you can’t just wait for prices to settle, you lose the opportunity, and sometimes the entire crop,” he said.
“Keeping farmers moving is in everyone’s interest. Victorian farmers grow almost a quarter of Australia’s food and feed millions more across the globe.”
Moira Shire chair administrator Graeme Emonson said council was actively monitoring the fuel situation.
“All council services remain open for business as usual,” Dr Emonson said.
“This includes waste collection; we do not anticipate any disruption to council’s waste collection services at this time.”
