The 42-year-old rides his bicycle or motorbike to save costs when meeting with potential new customers, but his small truck remains a necessity when he goes out on jobs.

“I was paying $1.49 (a litre) for diesel six months ago but it has gone through the roof in the last six months,” he said.

Yesterday, diesel was selling for more than $1.85 a litre in Port Macquarie, while petrol hovered at almost the $1.60 mark.

Mr Martin fears the cold weather, when less work is available, combined with soaring diesel prices may spell the end of his part-time business.

“I’ve put my gardening prices up to make up for the extra fuel,” he said.

The price of oil struck new highs last week, prompting a warning from one motoring organisation that the worst is yet to come.

The Nationals Wauchope branch has called for action to curb exorbitant diesel prices.

Branch chairman Rob Hamilton says diesel prices affect country people more than they affect city people because many locals choose four-wheel drives due to the state of rural roads.

Farmers use diesel in tractors and other machinery, and most rural goods are transported by diesel trucks.