Fuel prices smash $2

PETROL prices never seen before have hit the Cairns region with recordbreaking highs. Unleaded fuel has reached 201.9 cents per litre, which has surpassed the last record dating back to July 2008.

RACQ principal policy adviser and fuel expert Ian Jeffreys said skyrocketing fuel prices were happening nationwide and across the world.

“The (current) price is 201.9, which is the highest we’ve seen in the Cairns region,” he said.

“This is being driven by the exceptionally high oil prices we’re seeing at the moment; it’s caused by Russia’s invasion in Ukraine that flows right through.”

Mr Jeffreys said falls in the oil price internationally would take a while to flow through to regional markets in Far North Queensland.

“We may see prices creep up a few more cents and then they should start to trend back down again,” he said.

Mr Jeffreys advises Cairns drivers who are struggling with the price increase to use alternative methods of transport if they’re able to and to combine all their chores in one trip.

“Leave the four-wheel-drive in the garage until you need it,” he said.

Mr Jeffreys urged Cairns motorists to seek out independent, smaller chain service stations which normally had the cheapest price.

“Use a price comparison service like from RACQ and buy from the cheapest site. It saves you money and it drives competition and it’s competition that keeps prices as low as possible,” he said.

“The world is highly volatile and unpredictable. Prices could skyrocket again but we’re hopeful that this is the end of it.”

Choosing to fly in rather than drive for her holiday in Cairns, Pegah Shafiei said the unprecedented fuel prices in the region were on par with metropolitan Melbourne, which is at $2.10 and $2.20.

“The good thing is my partner has a company car, so we mainly use his car,” she said.

Ms Shafiei said the rising fuel prices had put her off driving around but said she had to deal with it if she wanted to get to places.

Ms Shafiei said she was still thinking of hiring a car while at a hotel in the heart of Cairns city.

“While you’re on holiday, you spend money. You don’t care,” she said. “The fuel prices go up and then suddenly they go down; that’s just how it is.”