Fuel transparency differing between regions

THE NSW Government’s ongoing FuelCheck inspection program has revealed which regions across the state have the best and worst compliance rates for price transparency.

While approximately half of all inspections have taken place outside of Sydney, around 70 percent of all fines have been issued in regional NSW.

The Central Coast comes out on top for fuel transparency, with only one fine issued for price mismatching through the Bowser Buster campaign.

The Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven regions came in a close second, recording only three fines since March.

Three regions have demonstrated the worst compliance rates, with multiple fines issued to fuel retailers in the area.

The Southern Tablelands and South Coast has recorded the highest number of fines in the state, with 33 penalties issued, predominantly for mismatches between the price at the pump and the price on FuelCheck.

Service stations in the Riverina and Central West are also amongst those logging the highest number of price mismatches, each with 30 and 21 penalties.

Service stations that display ‘red flag’ behaviours, such as receiving fines or multiple consumer complaints, will continue to be the target of NSW Fair Trading’s re-inspections.

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said, “Our inspectors have been working around the clock and in every corner of the state checking for compliance in petrol stations to stamp out price mismatches.

“FuelCheck is a crucial tool that puts power back in the hands of motorists.

“When families pull up for fuel, they deserve clear and accurate information.

“This is about strengthening fuel price transparency and ensuring FuelCheck works for everyone.”

Single service stations in Cooma, Lismore, Kelso, Newcastle, Goulburn and Port Kembla have all been issued multiple fines in an inspection, while a fuel retailer in the Murray region was dealt with a penalty for a 24 percent price mismatch for diesel.

NSW Fair Trading has now conducted over 4,600 field inspections and re-inspections.

Inspectors have also issued more than 270 fines, with around 80 percent of these penalties being for price mismatches.

Legislation that passed the Legislative Assembly last week will also make it illegal for service stations to fail to notify FuelCheck of a standard price of fuel or fuel unavailability at the bowser.
The proposed legislation will also increase the fines for individuals from $22,000 to $55,000.

On-the-spot fines for service stations will be tripled to $3,300 for the first offence and $11,000 for the second offence within 12 months.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said, “Our proposed laws, coupled with our inspection program, are all about deterring service stations from taking motorists for a ride.

“As we close in on the final retailers in the most remote regions, we want motorists to be alert to price mismatching at their local servo and report their concerns directly to FuelCheck.”