City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Councillor Peter Cox has welcomed the news that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will investigate the difference in petrol prices between country and city areas.
Cr Cox recently wrote to the ACCC asking it to use new investigative powers to assess fuel prices in Greater Bendigo after the region experienced significantly high prices during the Christmas-New Year period in comparison to metropolitan Melbourne.
Cr Cox said while the ACCC does not set or control petrol prices, the announcement was a great first step in addressing the issue.
“The cost savings associated with a worldwide drop in fuel prices do not seem to have been passed onto regional areas, so I am pleased the ACCC will investigate why.
“ACCC research suggests, on average, the difference in petrol prices between country and city areas was 17.6c/L in December last year.
“This makes an incredible difference when it comes to paying for a tank of petrol, especially at Christmas time.
“I have also written to all mayors of regional and rural councils asking them to contact the ACCC and tell the agency their stories of petrol prices in their areas.
“I look forward to the ACCC releasing the findings of its investigations and further understanding what drives petrol prices in regional areas.”
