Petrol prices erratic across Upper Hunter

It’s even been reported some locals were driving out of town to purchase cheaper fuel.

At Muswellbrook on Friday, motorists were paying an average of 114.9 cents per litre for unleaded at the two major service stations, Caltex and BP.

But, in neighbouring Singleton, it is five cents higher for unleaded.

NRMA president Kyle Loades said drivers should be offered the best deal available.

“We’d like to see the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) take a look at some of these inconsistencies,” he said.

“What we find is where there is a spotlight put on some of the regions in the state, it gets a lot cheaper, and that can only be a good thing.

"However, we always advise shopping around and using independent stations wherever possible."

Mr Loades admitted Muswellbrook was the lowest it had been for 12 months, when the average was 115.1 cents.

“That price [in Muswellbrook] is better than most regional centres this week,” he said.

“With the strength of competition in Muswellbrook and Singleton, and the presence of independent stations, there is no reason why residents should pay above the odds."

Several years of campaigning by the NRMA paid off last December with a decision by the major petrol retailers and the Informed Sources website to make pricing information available to consumers at the same time as it is received by retailers.

The verdict followed Federal Court action by the ACCC after its investigation into the exchange of price information among the major retailers through the Informed Sources service.

Mr Loades called the outcome a “historic win for motorists”.

“The resolution follows years of campaigning by the NRMA for transparency in petrol pricing,” he said.

“This outcome, whereby the major chains will make prices available to consumers at the same time the retailers receive it, will help motorists make an informed choice about where and when they refuel.

“This is the result for which the NRMA has long fought.”