ACTION has finally been taken by politicians to lower petrol prices in the Highlands.
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After years of the Southern Highland News exposing the significant price disparity, drivers may be able to look forward to some changes at the bowser.
Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell has already approached the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has promised to do the same.
Both politicians have put a call out for Highlanders to take photos at the bowser and send complaints directly to them.
"I have had residents contact my office in response to your (Southern Highland News) article about petrol prices," Mr Rowell said
"As a result I have made representations to the ACCC on their behalf. I am very happy to prompt an investigation and have already been receiving photos of prices.
"I will also drive around and take a sample of prices myself."
Mr Taylor, who was in the Highlands last week speaking to residents said he too was happy to help the community build a case for the ACCC.
"I have been flooded with information from people," he said.
Mr Taylor compared Highlands prices with those in Goulburn last Friday and said he thought there was at least a 15 per cent differential.
He said once he collated information he would make a submission to the ACCC in the next couple of weeks.
Mr Taylor said the submission will include information sourced from Southern Highland News articles on petrol prices and its weekly petrol watch.
"It's clear the independent retailers in the Highlands are delivering cheaper petrol than all the major oil companies," he said.
"As we all know choice drives competition and consumers should be reminded of the power they have to buy elsewhere."
While prices have fallen recently in the Southern Highlands, they are still nowhere near competitive when compared to areas such as Campbelltown and Goulburn.
NRMA Head of Media Peter Khoury said the only thing that could change prices short term would be a boycott.
"It's the only thing that'll have an impact on local prices," he said.
"There are the independent and smaller places. You can almost bank on every occasion they're going to be cheaper at the bowser."
Moss Vale moved from number 51 up to 28 for the week ending January 31 on the NRMA's Bowser Buster website and up to 27 for the week ending February 7.
Southern Highlands Petrol Watch Facebook page administrator revived the page on January 30 with a post about cheap petrol in Robertson.
"Be aware that you don't have to pay the prices being asked," he said.
"From my point of view the petrol majors gauge where they think they can get away with higher pricing and this is obviously one of those areas."
While drivers wait to see what will happen with the ACCC, there is still some good news.
Chairman of the ACCC Rod Sims spoke to Alan Jones yesterday morning and said by May, motorists should have access to technology which will provide them with up to date prices every 15 minutes throughout the day.
To help Mr Rowell and Mr Taylor put pressure on the ACCC to investigate, send any complaints and photos to either angus.taylor.mp@aph.gov.au or wollonjdilly@parliament.nsw.gov.au and keep an eye on the Southern Highlands News petrol watch for any changes.
