Dubbo motorists are being warned to expect more pain at the petrol pump with prices expected to stay around 150 cents per litre for the foreseeable future.
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Prices at the bowser have skyrocketed in the past six weeks because of rising international oil prices, jumping more than 10 cents since Easter.
Three independents were offering regular unleaded for 149.9 cents per litre, while United were offering diesel for 146.9 and Caltex on Bourke Street for 149.9.
They were the only sub-150 cent options around the city, while Caltex, Coles Express and Caltex Woolworth were all 155.9 for unleaded.
A few weeks ago Wellington was a significantly cheaper place to get fuel and one outlet there still offered the best value, although most were in line with Dubbo.
The Metro service station offered unleaded for 141.9 cents while BP and Shell were both 155.9. Metro was just as good with diesel, offering 142.9 cents while the others were over 156 cents.
Across the Central West, prices have risen between 20-30 cents since mid-March but NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said prices aren’t likely to get much higher.
“Regional NSW isn’t seeing the fluctuations we are seeing in the city. A lot of regional towns are averaging 150 cents per litre and we don’t think they will reach 155 but it probably also won’t drop lower again any time soon.”
Incredibly Grenfell had the cheapest fuel in the region, with the Metro service station offering regular unleaded for 135.9 cents per litre and diesel for 140.9.
Oberon’s Westside Petroleum had unleaded for 140.9 and diesel for 141.9.
The main reason behind the higher prices was because of the highest demand for oil in seven years, while OPEC nations were limiting supply, Mr Khoury said.
Ongoing instability in the Middle East and potential sanctions against OPEC nations Venezuela and Iran could have further effects on prices in the future, he added.
Because it was international factors pushing up prices, Mr Khoury said the increases were consistent but there were some towns where prices for unleaded and diesel were lower, he said.
“There are some towns that are fairing better. There are a few towns with prices below 150 cents and that is quite good at the moment, while others are much higher.
“But within towns, prices can vary by at least 10 cents per litre so people need to shop around.”
Mr Khoury said people could access real-time data to find the cheapest stations in town.
That data is available through the government’s website fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au or via the my nrma app.
The NRMA has also partnered with Caltex to provide a three cents per litre discount for regular unleaded, E10 and diesel, and a five cents per litre discount on premium fuels, Mr Khoury said.
