25/01/2012

Brisbane motorists paid almost 15 cents per litre (cpl) more for unleaded petrol (ULP) in 2011 than 2010, according to RACQ’s Annual Fuel Price Report, released today.

RACQ Executive General Manager External Relations Paul Turner said the average price of ULP in Brisbane was 142.5 cpl – up 14.9 cents from 2010 – making it more expensive than most other capitals.

“It’s disappointing to see Brisbane motorists pay 0.7 cpl more than Sydney motorists, 2.8 cpl more than Melbourne drivers, 1.9 cpl more than those in Perth and a whopping 3.6 cpl more than Adelaide which is the cheapest capital city market,” Mr Turner said.

“Brisbane fuel prices were also higher than some key regional cities, including Toowoomba (136.3 cpl), Bundaberg (142.1 cpl), Mackay (142.2 cpl) and Townsville (141.6 cpl).

“Pump prices in Brisbane should be cheaper, given the city’s large market, higher volumes of fuel consumption, and that fuel is refined locally.

“The high price of unleaded petrol in Brisbane is largely due to the dominance of the major supermarket chains and the absence of a major discounter. There just isn’t enough local competition in Brisbane,” he said.

Mr Turner said the price of ULP rose sharply in the first half of 2011 as a result of uncertainty in the international oil markets caused by political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East and natural disasters.

Volatility in the fuel price cycle in south-east Queensland made it harder for motorists to ‘shop smart’, with the fuel price cycle averaging 11 days and on some occasions 13 days.
 
“In past years when the fuel cycle has been predictable, motorists have proven themselves to be savvy shoppers,” he said.

“The erratic change in the cycle throughout 2011 reinforced the need for motorists to be vigilant about price trends so they can fill up on the cheapest days.”

Premium ULP stayed at about 10 cpl above regular unleaded fuel.
 
Brisbane motorists whose cars take diesel also forked out more in 2011.

Dalby, Caboolture, Maryborough, Warwick, Mackay, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay were all cheaper than Brisbane, which averaged 147.1 cpl for diesel, in line with the Gold Coast and Gladstone.

Townsville recorded the state’s cheapest diesel at 145.3 cpl.

“Diesel can be up to 10 cpl more expensive than ULP on the cheapest day in the unleaded price cycle. However, the prices don’t have a price cycle like the unleaded price cycle. ” Mr Turner said.

The full Annual Fuel Price Report 2011, daily fuel price information and places to purchase cheap fuel are available at www.racq.com.au/fuel.
 
The RACQ’s annual survey of fuel prices is based on average monthly price data provided by independent fuel price monitors MotorMouth and FUELtrac Pty Ltd.