Pain at pump peaks
THE Far North is expected to miss the massive fuel price spike predicted this weekend.
RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith said, while prices did rise in Cairns and Townsville, she was hopeful the increases had ended.
“In Cairns, we’re seeing unleaded being sold for 149.9cpl and greater, which is too high,” Ms Smith said.
“Prices have risen in Cairns and Townsville in the past week, but we’re hopeful these increases have now finished.”
According to the RACQ’s Fair Fuel Price tracker, the average price of unleaded petrol across the region is 141.8 cents per litre.
The cheapest unleaded is being sold at United Cairns North at 138.9 cents per litre.
However, in Brisbane, some petrol stations have increased prices to about 169 cents per litre.
Caltex Oxley in the city’s west was one of five stations selling unleaded at 177 cents per litre.
A reason for the spike is the drone and missile strikes at Saudi Arabian oil sites, which have slowed production.
Caltex stations in the Far North have not followed their Brisbane counterparts, with unleaded prices sitting at 139.9 cents per litre.
Administrator of Facebook group Cairns Fuel Price Ripoff Phil Whykes said petrol companies shouldn’t use the Saudi situation as an excuse to raise prices.
“Every time they put up the price (of unleaded), it does throw people’s budgets out,” Mr Whykes said.
He said businesses were among the hardest hit by fuel price rises, and the extra cost would be passed on to the consumer.
“People get it in the neck again,” he said.
“(Price rises) contribute to the cost of our products.”
He urged drivers to support local service stations who keep their prices low.
Other stations that are selling unleaded at 139.9 cpl, according to the RACQ, include Coles Express Sheridan St, Mobil Spence St and Caltex Tropical Star.