Bowser relief on the horizon

GEELONG drivers can look forward to relief at the bowser, with petrol prices set to drop.

According to the RACV, prices are high but trending downward.

Prices fluctuated around the Geelong region yesterday.

Most stores were selling unleaded for between 140 and 155 cents a litre, the RACV petrol prices online tool revealed.

Motorists around Bells Beach — particularly busy at the moment due to the Rip Curl Pro — were being stung with higher prices, with unleaded petrol costing up to 155 to 160 cents a litre in Torquay, according to the online tool.

But in suburbs including Armstrong Creek and Grovedale, drivers could find unleaded for between 140 and 145 cents a litre.

The region’s cheapest fuel could be found in Colac, the tool showed, with three stores selling unleaded for between 135 and 140 cents a litre.

RACV vehicle engineering manager Michael Case said the Melbourne unleaded fuel price reached the peak of the price cycle on April 10, with an average price of 156.6 cents a litre and prices were now trending downwards.

Mr Case said RACV would advise motorists to top up, rather than fill up, on fuel where possible.

“Many regional towns across Victoria exhibit ‘ sticky pricing’, where prices remain consistent for extended periods regardless of Melbourne fuel price cycle trends or wholesale prices,” Mr Case said.

“Overall, regional towns tend to respond slower to changes in wholesale prices. Reduced competition and lower sales volumes compared to metropolitan Melbourne may contribute to the slower price movements and absence of cyclic behaviour in regional areas.”