Tuesday 17 January 2017

Soaring petrol prices in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Hunter commuters are still paying top dollar at the bowser with prices in the region higher than the state average.

Prices shot up in the past week, jumping an average 6 cents per litre around the state, but in the Hunter prices have been up to 10 cents higher than the average.

A number of petrol stations increased their prices overnight to 144.3 cents and higher, with the wholesale price 20 cents cheaper than what we are paying.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury says there is a reprieve on its way and prices should start to fall.

"We expect prices to fall, they should've started falling and they should fall. The gap between the retail and the wholesale price is - certainly in Newcastle's case - about 20 cents per litre on average. That gives you an idea of the profit margins the major oil companies are making and we think the fall should happen to around 120 cents per litre."

NSW Government website FuelCheck and the fuel app is just one way commuters can find the cheapest fuel in the region.