But, they are entitled to be more than a bit upset that Dubbo prices are the equal fourth most expensive in major towns and cities in the state.

Only 50km away in Wellington, drivers can buy some of the cheapest fuel available.

The prices in Dubbo on Monday were a minimum of 130.7 cents for a litre of E10 petrol and 132.7c for a litre of unleaded. Wellington service stations were charging 114.9c for either.

Prices increased 12c a litre in October and another 5.2c in November.

The figures come from the NSW Government’s FuelCheck website and are credible.

What is incredible is the fact that local motorists and the significant number of those that pass through Dubbo on tourist trips or business activities often face higher prices here than at many other centres.

Fuel prices have been stubbornly high over the years – and an annoyance given the distances covered by people from Dubbo and the rest of the region. Not to mention those who are travelling through who are, to some extent, a captive market.

And the reasons? The usual explanation about limited competition between fuel stations.

NRMA director for Western NSW Fiona Simson said the price difference between Dubbo and Wellington was “concerning”. It resembled a previous price discrepancy between Forbes and Parkes, where prices were higher – until a spotlight was shone on Parkes.

She urged motorists to use FuelCheck and the NRMA to find the cheapest fuel and support the best-priced retailers. That would help drive prices down. Sound advice.

But, is the picture bigger? Media reports from Sydney last week signalled petrol price hikes there in the run up to Christmas. A coincidence? There have been many such coincidences over the years as peak holiday periods loom.

The rise and fall of petrol prices remains a mystery to most motorists, particularly in the regions.

There have been calls by various organisations, including a university that widely researched regional price variations, for the NSW government to take some action. Nothing happened.

Obviously Dubbo needs to get its hands on a big spotlight.