TONY HULL
I’m from South Australia and recently took a driving holiday around Tasmania. I was driving between Strahan and Devonport when I decided to swing into the Cradle Mountain National Park to get some petrol.
I stopped at a cafe/petrol outlet located at the transit point and as I approached the petrol bowser I saw a curious sign. It said something like, “Please present credit card or licence at counter before operating pump.”
This really surprised me and so I went inside to confirm.
Sure enough, the girl behind the counter said I had to leave my driver’s licence or credit card with her before I could obtain petrol.
I was amazed at this provision, given that motorists stopping there would be almost all tourists like me and hardly likely to drive off without paying!
I’ve never come across this requirement to leave your driver’s licence at the counter before you can fill up, not even at petrol stations in the worst, most crime ridden suburbs of Adelaide!
It’s an annoyance and not a good look. It assumes I am dishonest and I resent that assumption.
Peeved, I asked the assistant if they got a lot of untrustworthy motorists driving through this area. She had no response other than to say it was simply management policy.
I wonder on what basis management have imposed such a restriction. Are they aware of just how bad this looks and do they appreciate how it sits uncomfortably with Tasmania’s wonderful and welcoming tourist experience.
The place is owned by Federal Hotels.
