An online petition has begun for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate unleaded petrol prices in Yass in recent months.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nick Tyrrell, who instigated the petition on May 2, said hearing residents regularly complain about the high fuel prices caused him to act.
“The prices have been quite high for a few months now. I didn’t want Yass to be one those places where it being the most expensive is accepted. Fuel is selling competitively in Goulburn but higher in Yass, so I think the ACCC would be very interested” he said.
The NRMA’s latest fuel report on April 24 shows that unleaded petrol in Yass was the dearest in NSW for weeks ending April 16 and April 23 at 142.7 and 139.3 cents per litre, respectively.
In contrast, Goulburn was in the top three cheapest locations during the same periods at just under 120 cents a litre. Similarly, Canberra was mid-range at 129.2 and 129.1 cents.
You’re actually ahead if you drive from Yass to Goulburn to fill up and come back.
- Nick Tyrrell, author of petition
Mr Tyrrell, who works in Canberra, said residents “...have the right to voice their concerns, especially when there are large price differences between Yass and other stations nearby”.
“The 30 cents difference between Yass and Goulburn means it’s worth the drive. You’re actually ahead if you drive from Yass to Goulburn to fill up and come back,” Mr Tyrrell said.
“It’s fair game for an investigation.”
“Just the fact that Murrumbateman can sell fuel even three to four cents cheaper shows a bucket-load of flexibility in pricing,” he said.
United Petroleum declined to provide comments to the Tribune while both Yass Caltex stations referred media inquiries to the Caltex corporate head office in Sydney. A Caltex Australia spokesperson said a number of factors can impact fuel prices in different locations.
“These include location-specific factors, such as the quality of the facilities, intense local competition and operational costs - all of which can vary,” the spokesperson said.
She said the factors related to different levels of local competition can be how aggressive individual retailers are in their fuel prices and the concentration of sites in a given area.
Asked about the petition, the spokesperson said Caltex prides itself on being open and transparent on fuel pricing. “In 2016, Caltex was pleased to participate in the Queensland Fuel Summit which looked into retail fuel prices in Queensland,” she said.
As of Thursday May 4, the petition has obtained nearly 350 signatures. Mr Tyrrell said the aim is to get about 1000 signatures. “Then I’ll happily march down to the ACCC,” he said.
To view the petition: https://goo.gl/vg1wVv.
