I recently bought a VZ SSZ ute (previously owned a VYII SS sedan) and I too looked at the price of a genuine HSV so called short shifter ( not actually a true short shifter but a shorter shifter, if that makes sense). I ended up buying one off ebay for $80. A high quality product with excellent fitting instructions. Basically remove centre console (top part only), remove gear stick suround, cut cable tie holding, leather surround off, remove gear knob, undo two bolts and off the old one comes. Simply the reverse to install the new one (lock washers are provided in the kit to use with the bolts - I used these and some blue loctite).
I didn't want the shorter shifter for shifting reasons as such, just that I am going to mount a navman in the dash below the stock HU and wanted to remove the gear knob from blocking the screen.
Cheers,
Daniel