Dubbo motorists have been warned to get used to three-year high petrol prices, with the cost of regular unleaded nearing the dreaded $1.50 per litre mark.
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But they’re not alone, with regional centres across Australia experiencing prices over $1.40/litre, and even cyclical markets (the major cities) facing prices of almost $1.50/litre during peak times.
As of Friday Dubbo’s average price was $1.46, with Bathurst slightly higher at $1.47 and Orange lower at $1.41.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said everyone was suffering, with $1.40 prices consistent across regional Australia. He said global factors were to blame.
“Unfortunately this is the reality that we’re facing, in the short term at least,” Mr Khoury said.
“Tensions in the Middle East, talk of sanctions against Iran and Russia, which are both oil-producing countries, and cuts to supply from OPEC (Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries) which are all leading to three-year highs.”
Petrol prices varied around Dubbo on Friday, with regular unleaded petrol peaking at 149.9 cents per litre at a number of outlets while others advertised prices as low as 139.9 cents/litre.
All three Caltex and both Coles Express service stations were selling regular unleaded fuel for 149.9. It was slightly cheaper at Independent Dubbo Erskine Street (143.9) United Petroleum Cobra Street (143.7) Independent West Dubbo (139.9) and Independent South Dubbo (139.9).
Wellington’s average price was just 139.8, while at Narromine prices averaged 143.2.
Mr Khoury was concerned by a “quite high” gap between the retail and wholesale prices, and urged motorists to shop around using the NRMA app.
“It’s just under $1.29, the wholesale price, then you add the cost of transporting it … there’s a healthy gap between the wholesale price and the retail price in regional areas and we’d certainly like to see that close a bit,” he said.
“What goes up inevitably has to come down, but unfortunately the factors that are determining them are out of our control. They’re global.”