Petrol up 10c a litre in year
TOWNSVILLE motorists paid on average almost 10c a litre more for unleaded petrol in 2017 than the year before.
RACQ regional fuel data revealed drivers paid an average of 131.1c a litre for unleaded between January and November last year.
Data for December is yet to be released but average prices have not dropped below 139c since November 5.
In 2016, drivers were slugged an average of 121.7c.
Australian Institute of Petroleum data for between January 1 and December 14 reveals Townsville’s cheapest day for unleaded last year was August 13 with an average price of 122.4c. The most expensive day was January 22 at 144.1c.
The RACQ’s “fair fuel price” yesterday was 135.5c but outlets were averaging 141.9c.
It is understood independent retailer Townsville Taxis on Yeatman St was the only outlet selling unleaded at the fair price.
RACQ spokeswoman Renee Smith said average fuel prices in Cairns and Brisbane were cheaper than Townsville by 1c yesterday at 140c.
“Prices in Townsville are about 5c a litre higher on average than what we would like to see,” she said.
“Areas outside of the south east have prices stay a lot flatter.
“Southeast Queensland is in the middle of its price cycle so prices will get a little cheaper for them, so there are pros and cons to Townsville not being on a price cycle.”
Ms Smith said the RACQ did not expect dramatic movements in North Queensland bowser prices in the near future.
“There were increases in the global oil price in late in 2017, which saw an increase in ( bowser) prices in Townsville and regional Queensland,” she said.
“We hope the price doesn’t go any higher than it is now.
“Townsville motorists just need to make sure any servos that are dropping their prices, that’s where they’re filling up.”
The RACQ will release its annual 2017 fuel analysis in coming weeks. A TRUCK driver says his performance in bed has dropped about 10 per cent following a back injury at work.
Paul John Taprell is suing Southport company Todd Transport and Holcim Australia for nearly $ 570,000.
The 38- year- old claims he hurt himself when he threw a 15kg chain over a full load of culverts on the back of his truck on May 5, 2016.
Court documents lodged in the Southport District Court allege he suffered a disc prolapse in his lower back and a nerve root compression in the same area. The culverts, large concrete pipes placed under roads, were stacked about 3m above ground level, he claims.