Wodonga fuel rip-off

This has been revealed in motoring organisation the RACV’s latest survey of petrol prices.

The average price for unleaded fuel in Wodonga is 149.3 cents a litre, compared with the Victorian regional city average of 137.2.

That prompted the RACV to lash out at retailers, accusing them of ripping off motorists.

The organisation said there was simply no excuse for the high prices in Wodonga given that there had been a steady fall in the wholesale price of fuel.

RACV vehicle engineering manager Michael Case said the 149.3 cent average on July 9 was “completely unjustified”.

“It’s grossly unfair that Wodonga residents are being forced to pay a premium price for fuel for no apparent reason,” Mr Case said.

Once again one of the few exceptions to the high local prices was the independent APCO service station in West Wodonga, selling regular unleaded petrol on Wednesday for 136.6 cents a litre.

Manager Darryl Dawson said most outlets were selling the same fuel for more than 13 cents a litre dearer.

“At Coles and Safeway they’re selling it for 149.9 cents a litre, he said.

Last month, APCO was selling unleaded for 125.9 cents a litre though tight margins meant it had no choice but to recently increase this to 136.6.

“We’re obviously trying to offer a nice fair price to the town," he said.

Mr Dawson said he did not understand why larger operators could not cut prices by a few cents.

“I’m quite surprised they aren’t coming down to our level, normally they don’t give us that sort of leeway that they are at the moment. But we’re selling a hell of a lot of fuel.”

Mr Dawson said profit margins were still tight, but it was a sacrifice APCO was prepared to make for its customers.

“Obviously fuel is an attraction for customers, and the price we sell it at is also an attraction,” he said.

“To be honest the place is going absolutely gang busters as far as fuel is concerned.

“Someone’s hurting, I don’t know who – it’s not Safeway or Coles.”

Mr Dawson said the volume of fuel they were selling was probably about a third higher than was expected when the business opened late last year.

The wholesale fuel price in Victoria has fluctuated in Victoria between 111 cents a litre on January 1 to 126 cents on July 9.

Over that same period, Wodonga’s average price has varied from about 124 cents a litre to 149.3.

Melbourne’s average price has fluctuated from 115 cents a litre to just under 135 cents a litre.

Mr Case said there needed to be immediate action on dropping prices for Wodonga motorists.

“Petrol companies must stop ripping off drivers in Wodonga and deliver the lower prices being experienced elsewhere in country Victoria,” he said.

Fuel prices can be monitored at racv.com.au.