Information from Caltex Australia has indicated the price difference in fuel – comparing regional areas to inner-city living – is determined by the location of, and services at, each specific petrol station.
The response comes after a social media user posted a $0.30 price comparison when buying Unleaded91, between Caltex Woolworths at Greenbank and Caltex Woolworths at Jimboomba, on January 22.
Information provided on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) website states the daily average price of regular unleaded petrol has increased more than $0.20 per litre over the last 45 days.
A Caltex Australia spokeswoman said factors impacting the price of fuel include nearby competition, the quality of facilities available at a site and operational costs – power, water, maintenance, rent and loan payments, wages, and government and regulatory compliance.
“In summary, different levels of local competition can relate to how aggressive individual retailers are in their fuel prices,” she said.
“Different volumes of fuel sold; different volumes of passing traffic; convenience story sales, and location – how far away the town is from the nearest terminal – can also affect prices.”
The spokeswoman added the “typical breakdown” of the average retail petrol price includes 42 per cent International Benchmark Price, 41 per cent taxes, 17 per cent “other costs” – such as transport, storage and marketing – and 3 per cent profit.
“We pride ourselves being open and transparent on fuel pricing,” she said.
“In 2016, Caltex was pleased to participate in the Queensland Fuel Summit, which looked into retail prices in Queensland.”
