Rising cost of living snags the iconic Bunnings sausage sizzle as community groups call for price increase

The rising cost of living crisis is about to strike at the very heart of Australian culture — the iconic Bunnings sausage sizzle.

Visitors to hundreds of the hardware giant’s stores have been warned they will soon have to dig a little deeper into their stash of spare change as the price of a snag rises from $2.50 to $3.50 — marking the first increase for the DIYer’s favourite snack in more than 15 years.

In that time, the price of food and non-alcoholic drinks has gone up by more than 51 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The shock increase will take effect at more than 300 stores across Australia from Saturday, July 23, according to media reports, but the price of drinks will remain at $1.50.

Bunnings managing director Mike Schneider told The Herald Sun that more than 100 community groups had appealed for the price hike as the rising cost of supplies had started to bite into the amount of money they could raise.

“After pretty much a decade and a half we are going to raise the price of the famous Bunnings sausage sizzle from $2.50 to $3.50,’’ he told the paper.

“We understand very much the really important role the humble snag plays in the community’s psyche.

“And undoubtedly any change in price, particularly in the current environment, is something that is going to gather some level of attention.’’

He said inflation — which hit a record 5.1 per cent earlier this year and is expected to soar to 7 per cent when the latest measure is released on July 27 — had put pressure on community groups that rely on the weekend sales at Bunnings to raise vital funds.

The paper reported that Bunnings had helped raise more than $140 million for charities over the past five years, with the average sausage sizzle bringing in between $800 and $900.

“It’s a pretty simple recipe – it’s a snag, a bit of bread and some sauce and onion to taste,’’ Mr Schneider said.

“But what it does is really help raise much-needed funds for local community groups … whether it’s the local school or sporting club or to do something in the community.’’

The news comes just a few weeks after WA’s only local manufacturer of chips revealed it was paying hundreds of thousands of dollars more for its gas and would also have to lift prices.

WA Chips is owned by Bendotti Exporters, the State’s last remaining commercial chip maker.

Non-executive chair Brian Piesse said the company’s gas bill had increased 60 per cent from $600,000 last year, forcing the company to cough up an extra $400,000.

Mr Piesse said the extra costs — together with rising transport, packaging, potato and cooking oil bills — had forced the Manjimup-based company to hike its prices.

“We have no other alternative than to pass on these increases to the consumers,” he said.

“I suppose the reality will be how long the fish and chips shops can also absorb the price and it’s really decided on what price the people who like their fish and chips on a Friday night are prepared to pay.”

Data out on Tuesday showed rising interest rates and continually higher costs for everything from food to services and fuel are biting into WA household budgets, with spending taking a hit.

The Commonwealth Bank’s monthly household spending indicator showed discretionary spending was down last month, while higher prices had pushed household spending intentions up modestly.

Australian Bureau of Statistics spending data for May also showed spending on alcohol and tobacco was down 11 per cent, hotels, cafes and restaurants were down 4 per cent, recreation and culture was down 2.5 per cent and food was down 1.7 per cent.