A new service station competitor has shaken up our petrol prices.
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On Thursday, the Mobil service station in Moss Vale had an unleaded price of 137.7 cents per litre and 149.7 cents per litre for diesel, according to real-time fuel price website Fuel Check.
Meanwhile the dearest service station was the Coles Express Service station in Bowral with an unleaded price of 161.4 cents per litre and a diesel price of 171.9 cents per litre.
NRMA media advisor Rebecca Page said while global factors influenced petrol prices, increased competition made a difference.
“We do tend to see with increased competition, prices get better for motorists,” she said.
“Especially around Bankstown, there are streets full of petrol stations. When one puts its prices down it’s a domino effect. That’s why areas like that tend to be the cheapest.
“Up until now the Southern Highlands hasn’t had a big market.”
According to the NRMA’s latest weekly fuel report for the week ending on December 2, the average price of diesel in Moss Vale fell 9.6 cents per litre.
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In the previous week ending on November 25, the average diesel price in Moss Vale fell 0.5 cents per litre.
In the week ending on November 25, Moss Vale was the second dearest location to buy diesel.
Meanwhile a week later in the week ending December 2 Moss Vale had dropped out of the top five.
Unleaded and diesel prices could continue to fall across regional NSW, with a decrease of five to six cents per litre predicted, according to the NRMA.
Meanwhile regular unleaded prices fell 7.3 cents per litre in Mittagong in the week ending on December 2.
“A cafe can charge $10 for a cup of coffee but that doesn’t mean customers have to pay for it, but when they need a caffeine hit they might,” she said.
“People often feel forced to pay high prices for fuel. Fuel is an essential commodity, it keeps the community alive and thriving.
“We welcome the new service station, it already looks like it’s played a part in lowering prices.”
Ms Page said broader geopolitical factors also played a major role in determining petrol prices.
Oil producing countries in the Middle East have increased output, while demand for oil has decreased.
The Australian dollar has also been stronger, which has played a role.
This means there is more oil on the market and it is cheaper to purchase.