At last, fair fuel prices in Cairns

A YEAR ago motorists in Cairns were paying some of the highest prices for petrol in Queensland, if not Australia.

Fast forward to today and we are now one of the cheapest, in fact the second cheapest after Bundaberg, by a mere 0.1 cents per litre at 132.5cpl .

Some are suggesting it is the result of an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation into the high price of fuel in Cairns which showed there was a lack of competition in the city.

But the real reason is the arrival of United. The retailer consistently offers fuel at lower prices, forcing some of the opposition to follow suit.

Yesterday United at Cairns North was offering unleaded 91 at 129.9. So was Puma at Stratford, the White Rock General Store, BP Edmonton and Puma at Edmonton.

Even better Night Owl Mobil at Westcourt and Puma at Woree had fuel for 127.9 as well as United at Gordonvale. Coles at Redlynch and Edmonton were the dearest at 141.9.

The United service stations at Cairns North, Woree and the two at Gordonvale constantly have customers lined up out on to the street.

Motorists might not be saving a lot, but, instead of putting up with the same high prices across the board a year ago, people now have choice.

It is pleasing to see many still remain loyal to United and, to a lesser extent, the smaller independent operators, who do offer cheaper fuel, but are off the beaten path at Machans Beach and White Rock, for instance.

It is a great example of people power, motorists voting with their wheels and driving to the retailer offering the cheapest fuel.

It also shows United and others can make profits by selling cheaper fuel without being greedy. Nick Dalton Deputy editor