More pitstops helping drive Geurie economy
THE dangers of salt poisoning the landscape are all too evident in this paddock southeast of Dubbo.
Salinity is normally perceived as a threat during wet years so for this salt to be so obvious during such a harsh drought is a reminder of just how important it is to properly manage our landscapes. THIS reporter got a bit of a shock when Scott Hutchinson came out to fill up the ute at Geurie’s Pitstop Garage, because it’s so unusual to find driveway service in Australia these days.
“Just happy to see people come in here and buy their fuel, we’re happy to give driveway service, it’s all good,” Mr Hutchinson said.
Dubbo Photo News ran a story on the effects of the drought at the Pitstop Garage a few weeks back and since then, Scott says, plenty of Dubbo residents have called in to buy fuel when they’re heading east.
“We’ve definitely had a result from that story, it’s been good. Everyone’s pleased to come to an owner-operated business, a local business. We’ve had comments when they’ve come in the door.
Mr Hutchison said it’s all a matter of scale, believing it’s almost unnoticeable for large corporate fuel stations in Dubbo to lose a few customers each day, but said it means the world to him, running a small business in a small town that’s been hard hit by the drought.
“Definitely mate, definitely, it’s helping to keep the business going, for sure,” Mr Hutchinson said.
He said it feels great to see new, first-time customers who call in and who feel good that they can do their little bit to assist businesses like his.
“I just put the normal markup on the fuel from the price I buy it for, I’ve always been fair,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“I encourage people to support businesses in the villages and towns because we also support our local communities.
“I give a lot to the Picnic Races, the Geurie Goats footy club and lots of things around town, the hall and everything, so if businesses like us are forced to close down, everyone suffers,” he said. WHO would have thought drivers delivering pizzas needed danger money, but that’s what the world seems to be coming to.
A Domino’s delivery car had rocks thrown through its windows one night of the long weekend, CCTV footage capturing about 10 kids doing the damage in the wee hours of darkness.
That’s on top of a delivery driver getting robbed while sitting at traffic lights not long ago.
You know things are getting desperate when a pizza car is robbed for a few bucks. MORE than 500,000 Australians now have access to cheaper medicines, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said this week.
“More life-saving drugs will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which in some cases will save patients more than $100,000, including people in the Parkes electorate,” he said.
Owner of the Pitstop Garage in Geurie, Scott Hutchinson, says he’s seen lots of extra customers since a recent report in Dubbo Photo News, which in turn helps the local community. PHOTO: PHOTO NEWS