25/01/2012

Toowoomba was the cheapest place to buy unleaded petrol (ULP) in Queensland in 2011, according to RACQ’s Annual Fuel Price Report, released today

The average price of ULP in Toowoomba was 136.6 cents per litre (cpl) last year, which is an increase of 12.7 cpl from 2010.

RACQ Executive General Manager External Relations Paul Turner said despite the increase, Toowoomba motorists paid less for ULP than those in Brisbane.

“Brisbane averaged 142.5 cpl for ULP last year, which was almost six cent per litre more than the prices Toowoomba motorists paid,” Mr Turner said.

“Toowoomba was also cheaper than all other regional centres including, Ipswich (142.4 cpl), Bundaberg (142.1 cpl), Mackay (142.2 cpl) and Townsville (141.6 cpl).

“The lower price of unleaded petrol in Toowoomba is largely due to high sales volumes and robust competition between retailers.”

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.

But when it came to diesel prices in 2011, Toowoomba motorists forked out more.
 
“Toowoomba prices for diesel averaged 147cpl, which was more expensive than Dalby, Caboolture, Caloundra and Ipswich but was essentially the same as Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Gladstone, which all averaged 147.1 cpl,” Mr Turner said.

“Townsville was the cheapest location for diesel in 2011, averaging 145.3 cpl.”
 
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.