Drivers fill up on their luck
City fuel prices emerge among lowest in Australia
TOWNSVILLE motorists are some of the luckiest in Australia, with the city boasting some of the cheapest prices.
Research from Budget Direct’s Fuel Index revealed Townsville had the fifth cheapest unleaded fuel and sixth cheapest diesel in Australia.
The average price for unleaded in Townsville is $1.14/l while diesel is $1.16/l.
Bundaberg has the cheapest fuel in the country, with servos selling unleaded for $1.10/l and diesel for $1.15/l. Melbourne had the most expensive unleaded, averaging $1.17/l while Hobart had the most expensive diesel at $1.35/l.
It explored Australia’s 30 most populated cities to reveal the cheapest cities and states for fuel. Queensland had the fourth cheapest unleaded fuel and second cheapest diesel.
Soren Nannestad, owner of independent service station Shell Belgian Gardens, said a surge of new service stations opening across the city had helped drive prices down.
“That’s been the battle, one service station opens and shoots the prices,” he said.
“Every time a service station opens, it creates competition. It’s good for motorists, competition is healthy.”
Shell Belgian Gardens is selling unleaded for $1.14/l and diesel for $1.13/l.
Mr Nannestad said he dropped prices by a cent last week. He said competing
against major companies was tough but offered a point of difference with staff filling customers’ cars and offering a ute rental service on site.
Unlike many capital cities, Townsville doesn’t have major fuel cycles Mr Nannestad said, meaning prices are more consistent.
Jen Moore, owner of About Town Courier Services, said Townsville motorists were “pretty lucky”.
Between the company’s five vehicles, they rack up a fuel bill of about $4000 a week.
She said business had been busy of late, working for the city’s two hospitals, with drivers working seven days a week and up to 13 hours a day.
Ms Moore said the new Liberty service stations often had the lowest prices.
It has ranked in the top five cheapest cities for fuel, new
data found. New research from Budget Direct’s Fuel Index revealed the cheapest and most expensive cities to fuel up in.
RACQ’S Fair Fuel Price suggests a fair price to pay for unleaded in Townsville is $1.12/l and $1.09 for diesel.
The Fair Fuel Finder app reveals the United in Hermit Park has the cheapest fuel, selling unleaded at $1.07/l and diesel for $109/l.