AS PETROL prices drop to less than a dollar in Melbourne, motorists in Ballarat are still paying up to 20 per cent more than their metropolitan cousins.
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Ballarat petrol stations displayed prices around $1.20 a litre on Tuesday, with $1.17 the lowest seen by The Courier.
Mayor John Philips was recently encouraged by Bendigo mayor Paul Cox to contact the Australian Competition and Con-
sumer Commission and request an investigation under its new powers, but he said he did not see the need.
“When his (Cr Cox’s) letter came out, the ACCC announced an investigation, (so) I didn’t believe there was a need to dive right in,” Cr Philips said.
“I agree that prices are still far too high, and would like to see them come down.”
Cr Cox has been a strong advocate for regional centres, and welcomed the ACCC’s announcement last week that it would monitor fuel prices in regional centres.
Independent fuel analyst David Cumming said Wednesday’s wholesale price should mean a drop in the second half of the week.
“Last week, the wholesale price was $1.02, and this week it will be 97.67¢, so there is no excuse why (Ballarat) prices shouldn’t be down to $1.10, at least,” he said.
Mr Cumming said the widespread prices of up to $1.20 on Tuesday could be blamed on a “lack of competition” in town.
The RACV also stated on Tuesday that drivers of diesel vehicles were also being hit by wholesale savings not being passed on by retailers.
“This huge price difference (between retail and wholesale prices) cannot be justified. Frankly, diesel drivers in Melbourne and especially regional Victoria are being ripped off,” RACV manager of vehicle engineering Michael Case said.
Ballarat diesel drivers pay an average of $1.32, according to fuel monitoring website MotorMouth, from a wholesale price of $1.06.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au
