What's happening to all the petrol stations?

**AlpinePossum** · 26th October 2009, 09:05

Diamond Harbour station died a few years ago... I sort of understood that. More expensive petrol, everybody commutes to Christchurch or Lyttleton anyway.

But now Lyttleton doesn't have a petrol station! WTF?! That's where all the go juice comes into Canterbury anyway! It has heavy industry! And a large township! What the hell is up with the economy!?

Sigh! A Long range tank on my Suzi would solve it for me... but I've sort of stopped investing in it as I figure the Nat's are out to kill the sport.

Now there is only Little River and Akaroa on the whole Banks Peninsular.

Is this happening elsewhen in the country?

**slofox** · 26th October 2009, 09:34

Yep. Even The Tron has lost servos in the last decade or so...

**danchop** · 26th October 2009, 09:40

theres no money in fuel retailing

**McJim** · 26th October 2009, 09:44

As consumers we tend to see petrol stations as extensions of their brands. the reality is that many of them are small businesses in their own right with a franchise to sell petrol and diesel from one of the big petrochemical companies. If Joe Bloggs the petrol staton owner cannot make a living out of his petrol station he will try to sell up or will simply close.

The petrol companies don't care as the vehicle owners HAVE to get petrol and will buy from another outlet.

The customer is always right....unless they are captive.

**Virago** · 26th October 2009, 09:46

Plain and simple - economics.

Due to the lower volume of sales compared to the big inner-city stations, the very small margin on the petrol sales simply doesn't cover the costs of running the station. If they put the prices up to cover costs, people will fill up next time they're in town to save money, cutting the local sales still further. It's a downward spiral...

The fuel companies are usually not supportive either, as it's not economic for them either. The crunch often comes when aging fuel storage tanks need to be replaced. The end...

**James Deuce** · 26th October 2009, 09:49

Not quite that simple. If the Oil company wants a retailer out they simply demand a tank replacement. If the retailer won't replace the tanks the shop shuts.

Peter Dunne, damn his oily hide, busted this practice in the Hutt and Stokes Valley after a number of retailers were served notice by the Oil companies.

**Kickaha** · 26th October 2009, 10:06

Originally Posted by AlpinePossum

But now Lyttleton doesn't have a petrol station! WTF?! That's where all the go juice comes into Canterbury anyway! It has heavy industry! And a large township! What the hell is up with the economy!?

Lyttelton hasn't had a gas station for a considerable time now

We counted about 10 Chch/Canterbury gas stations that had closed in the last 4-5 years when we had a quick think about it a few months ago and no doubt there was a few we missed

**Usarka** · 26th October 2009, 10:09

Further to travel to get petrol = more gas used = higher revenue for the oil nazis.

**Motu** · 26th October 2009, 10:44

When the fuel industry was degregulated we were told we would get cheaper fuel and better service stations.First thing the oil companies did was take over control of the service stations and start shutting them down.Instead of family owned small business doing what was needed to earn a living,we got oil companies do what THEY wanted,and to hell with anyone who got in the way.

Bring back regulation,where the Government told the oil companies what to do.

**AllanB** · 26th October 2009, 10:44

Taipapu has been closed for a while - the notice says 'due to health' - unsure if it will reopen.

The first one coming into Little River gets a bit of weekend trade by the bikes - always surprises me how many need to fill up there (must be hoons!). The one further up the road at Coop Town appears very farm related (remember to slow down to 70 through here - it's a good spot for the police to hide and ping you) . Akaroa is well serviced by boaties etc.

It's a shame in many ways as the friendly local stations are gone or going to be replaced with the super-market-petrol stations. They have no soul and just suck money from your wallet.

Just quietly, I have had business experience with some of the big
ones - the point of sale discount to the retailer is usually relatively low - the corporate rebate that the station owner never sees, which goes to head office is massive.

**Ocean1** · 26th October 2009, 11:03

Originally Posted by Motu

When the fuel industry was degregulated we were told we would get cheaper fuel and better service stations.First thing the oil companies did was take over control of the service stations and start shutting them down.Instead of family owned small business doing what was needed to earn a living,we got oil companies do what THEY wanted,and to hell with anyone who got in the way.

Bring back regulation,where the Government told the oil companies what to do.

Blame the RMA, it made all compliance issues the responsibility of the product owner. All of a sudden Ma & Pa's dodgy 30 year old tanks became the oil companies' problem. What would you do, replace all the privately owned tankage at your own cost or simply decline to fill 'em?

**Motu** · 26th October 2009, 11:47

More than the tanks - also all the contaminated ground around the tanks.Last site I was at where the tanks were replaced,there were chemists on site taking soil samples all the time.When an oil company vacates a site,they have to replace all comtaminated soil.

**Winston001** · 26th October 2009, 12:03

Originally Posted by Motu

More than the tanks - also all the contaminated ground around the tanks.Last site I was at where the tanks were replaced,there were chemists on site taking soil samples all the time.When an oil company vacates a site,they have to replace all comtaminated soil.

Yeah its a nightmare. I've watched one garage do this which involved putting replacement tanks in. All contaminated soil had to be traced and removed. Then seepage tests over months to check if there was any more. Supposed to take 3 months but took about a year before the local Council approved completion. Thats a long time for a business to be without fuel sales.

**AlpinePossum** · 26th October 2009, 12:23

Originally Posted by Winston001

Yeah its a nightmare. I've watched one garage do this which involved putting replacement tanks in. All contaminated soil had to be traced and removed.

Basically the bill is due for decades of polluting... and instead of paying they are doing a runner.

Great.

Don't blame the RMA, blame those who took decades of profits without putting any into the piggy bank to clean up the mess they made.

But don't worry... when your water starts tasting of diesel... your tax money will pay to clean it up.