Two petrol stations in Maitland’s east have been named the cheapest so far for 2016.
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New NRMA figures have revealed that Caltex, East Maitland, and Caltex Woolworths at Green Hills have had the cheapest average regular unleaded prices in the Maitland area so far this year.
The East Maitland service station has sold unleaded fuel for an average of 122.8c/l, while the Green Hills facility has averaged 123.2c/l.
The announcement comes after NRMA president Kyle Loades visited Maitland last week to launch the peak motoring body’s new fuel price application for smart phones and tablets.
The app uses real-time price data made available by the state government, which also launched its Fuel Check platform last week, to allow motorists to easily access up-to-date petrol prices.
Service station operators now have to inform NSW Fair Trading within 15 minutes of changing fuel prices in all categories – from E10 unleaded to diesel – at their premises.
Mr Loades said the availability of real-time price data would allow service stations with competitive pricing, like those at East Maitland and Green Hills, to showcase themselves.
“The spotlight will be on the dearer ones and we believe they’ll be forced to compete with the cheaper ones,” he said.
“It’s all about narrowing the gap, the differential of 20 to 40 cents, between the lowest and the highest around the Hunter.”
According to figures available on Sunday afternoon, E10 unleaded petrol ranged from 101.7c/l in Central Maitland to 109.9c/l at Rutherford.
Newcastle city recorded a range of 96.9c/l to 104.9c/l.
“For the frustrated motorist, there’s nothing worse than filling up then driving around the block and finding it’s 10 or 20 cents cheaper,” Mr Loades said.
“Our analysis shows a minimum of $500 saving per annum if you buy at the cheaper end, rather than the average pricing.
“There’s no way the oil companies were going to give up control of the data.
“It really needed the state government to mandate it as part of their petrol industry reforms – so all kudos to the state government for making that happen.”