Fuel Crisis Scare Off Easter Holidaymakers

0:00It's March 25th, from your city to your ears. This is Sydney News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the story. High fuel prices and shortages in New South Wales are scaring off Easter holiday makers from regional caravan parks. Operators report far more cancellations than bookings, especially in towns along rural highways that depend on roadtrippers and grey nomads. This should be their peak season, but fear of running out of petrol is keeping families and retirees at home. Fuel supplies are tight, with 32 petrol stations across the state out of unleaded on Wednesday afternoon, down slightly from 51 the day before. Diesel shortages hit 187 stations, mostly in Sydney, where prices topped $3.46 a liter in some spots. Unleaded, reached almost $3.00 a liter in others, smashing recent records. Caravan park owners are hurting bad, with one transit spot seeing just two bookings instead of the usual 20. They're slashing prices by 15% to lure people back, but many say only cheaper fuel will save

1:04their businesses through winter. Grey nomads, who flock north from Melbourne, are parking rigs due to shortage worries, even where local pumps are full. Metro tourism spots might pick up the slack, as folks skip long drives or overseas trips, boosting city hotels and eateries. The government set up an emergency center to track fuel and push suppliers for better distribution to independence. No stimulus for regions are rationing yet, though taxis want levy cash rerouted and opposition calls for federal excise cuts. Operators hope prices drop soon to rescue the season, while officials keep watch to avoid wider economic hits in farming, freight, and mining.