25/01/2012

Townsville was the cheapest place in Queensland to buy diesel in 2011, according to RACQ’s Annual Fuel Price Report, released today.

The average price of diesel in Townsville was 145.3 cpl, followed by Caloundra (145.8 cpl) and Caboolture (146.7 cpl).

RACQ Executive General Manager External Relations Paul Turner said the average price of diesel across Queensland in 2011 was 146.1 cpl.

“With more new cars using diesel, it was good to see less volatility in the price of diesel fuel in 2011,” Mr Turner said.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast averaged 147.1cpl for diesel while Weipa was the most expensive at 170.4 cpl.

“Townsville was also one of a handful of major regional centres in 2011 where motorists paid less for ULP than those in Brisbane (142.5 cpl),” he said.

“ULP is cheaper in Townsville because of an increased number of independent petrol retailers which drive greater competition in the region and less major supermarket chain owned and operated servos.

“Unfortunately, neighbouring markets like Cairns don’t have the same level of competition as Townsville and as a result motorists there paid more for petrol,” Mr Turner said.

Toowoomba (136.3 cpl), Ipswich (142.4 cpl), Bundaberg (142.1 cpl), Mackay (142.2 cpl) were cheaper than Townsville for unleaded.

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.

“We saw large spikes in oil prices which were caused by political unrest in North Africa and the Middle East and the impact of several natural disasters early in the year,” he said.

The full Annual Fuel Price Report 2011, daily fuel price information and places to purchase cheap fuel are available at http://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.