North west motorists continue to be hit hard at the petrol bowser as RACQ released its average regional price for June.
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The average regional price last month was 115.5 cents per litre with Miles being the cheapest averaging 102.6 cents per litre. This means motorists in Mount Isa and Cloncurry are still paying roughly 30 cents more than other parts of regional Queensland and up to 40 cents more compared to Brisbane.
RACQ spokesperson Renee Smith said prices jumped across the state after oil prices steadily increased in May and June, but oil, now at $US40 per barrel, remained substantially lower than the $US60 per barrel we experienced in January.
"It was good while it lasted but unfortunately the days of ULP for less than 100 cents per litre are behind us for now," Ms Smith said.
"Oil prices were higher in June due to an increase in demand as Governments lifted COVID-19 travel restrictions.
"At the same time, there was a substantial drop in oil supply due to the production cuts agreed to by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies including Russia. There was also a dramatic reduction in US shale oil production.
"A change in the price of global oil does take six to eight weeks to flow on at the bowser in regional areas which is what we're seeing at the moment."
Ms Smith said no matter where you were in the State, the advice remained the same when it came to filling up the tank.
"Motorists underestimate how much power they have when it comes to keeping prices as low as possible, if they would only do a little bit of homework," she said.
"We're urging motorists to use tools like apps to fill up for the best price possible. Supporting the fuel companies offering the cheapest price will encourage competition in your local area."
The Palaszczuk Government agreed with angry motorists and recently sought after an independent investigation into fuel prices in Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham wrote to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims asking the independent national body to look into whether fuel retailers were ripping off local motorists a month after Mount Isa recorded the highest fuel prices in Queensland.
Bob Katter has also written to the ACCC about fuel prices.
Mount Isa fuel prices as of Wednesday July 8 according to Petrol Spy:
United ULP 142.9c Diesel 132.9c
Caltex (unmanned) Diesel 134.9c
Caltex (Woolworths) ULP 142.9c Diesel 126.9c
Shell ULP 142.9c Diesel 130.9c
Puma ULP 139.9c Diesel 125.9c
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