Regular unleaded fuel ban - impact on rec fishers

THE NSW Shooters and Fishers Party will oppose moves to ban regular unleaded petrol and replace it with ethanol mixed fuels, unless the O'Farrell government acknowledges the impact it could have on recreational fishos and trailer boat users.

Shooters and Fishers Party MLC Robert Brown said a number of trailer boat owners approached him with concerns over the NSW government policy. Ethanol mixed fuel can potentially damage outboard motors, fuel lines, fuel tanks, and fibreglass boats.

Brown said it wasn't fair that fishos and boat users will be forced to pay for the more expensive premium unleaded.

"At the very least, the Government should ensure small boat owners still have access to ordinary unleaded fuel after the July 1 deadline, as a lot of those engines don't need premium fuels," said Brown.

"And that doesn't mean just stocking 'designated' marinas, because trailer boat owners don't generally launch from marinas. Most of them fill their boat's fuel tanks at local service stations," he said.

Mr Brown said the end of regular unleaded fuel is also expected to lead to higher fuel costs for about 750,000 motorists who don't have ethanol compliant vehicles.