In a disheartening turn of events, farmers in bushfire-affected regions of Victoria have become targets of fuel theft, as petrol prices plummet to a distressing new low.

Sarah and Ross Thomson, sheep farmers residing in Ruffy, awoke to an unwelcome discovery: their fuel tanks had been completely drained. Approximately 400 liters of diesel and 100 liters of unleaded petrol were stolen overnight, leaving the couple without the necessary fuel to operate their farm machinery.

The local police have responded to the situation by issuing warnings about potential fuel thefts in the area, urging residents to remain vigilant.

The ramifications of rising fuel costs are also being felt in nearby Euroa, where local businesses are grappling with additional delivery surcharges. These extra costs are a direct consequence of the soaring fuel prices, which are being passed down to business customers.

“Our customers are struggling, and we are striving to support them,” said Tim Burton, owner of Euroa’s IGA. “However, absorbing these costs may soon become unsustainable for us.”

“Our customers are struggling but we’re doing our best to support them, but there will come a point when it’s no longer sustainable for us to absorb it,” Euroa IGA owner Tim Burton said.

Local MP Annabelle Cleeland urged the government to cut the fuel excise immediately, fearing Victoria could “grind to a halt rapidly”.

“Right now we’re seeing supply shortages right across regional Victoria and this is going to disrupt the supply chain,” she said.

“We’re going to see supermarket products become extraordinarily expensive on the shelves in Melbourne if we don’t give a break to regional Victorians.”

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