• Average ULP price for Perth metro area in 2016 was 115.9 cents per litre
• Vibe in North Perth and Chidlow Growers Mart the cheapest sites for the year
• Prices expected to rise in the short term over the holiday period

Perth motorists this year have enjoyed the lowest petrol prices in 11 years, with the average for unleaded petrol being 115.9 cents per litre (cpl), the lowest since 2005 when it was 110.4 cpl.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin today released FuelWatch’s list of the top 10 service stations in the Perth metropolitan area which, on average, offered the cheapest petrol in 2016.

“Vibe at North Perth and Growers Mart in Chidlow are equal first on the list with an average price of 110.9 cents per litre, followed by Better Choice Tuart Hill with an average price of 111.1 cents per litre,” Mr Mischin said.

“Caltex Woolworths South Lake is the cheapest in the southern suburbs with an average price of 111.3 cents per litre and is fourth on the overall list.

“There are a variety of different brands in the top 10, and six of the 10 cheapest sites are independent brands.  I recommend motorists not be loyal to any particular brand, but seek out the cheapest site using the FuelWatch website and reward them with your business.”

The Minister said the weekly petrol price cycle continued in 2016 with petrol prices on average being cheapest on Mondays with a general price hike every Tuesday.

“However, on any day of the week, the difference between the highest and lowest prices for unleaded petrol in Perth can be as high as 25 cents per litre so a motorist, who fills up at the most expensive station, could save $15 per tank if they bought the same petrol at the cheapest site.  That is an annual saving of $780 based on regular weekly fills,” he said.

“The short-term outlook for fuel prices is to trend upwards as recent rises in international benchmark prices flow through to the bowser at the retail level.  The recent announcement by OPEC and non-OPEC countries such as Russia, to co-ordinate a reduction in world oil supplies have already resulted in upward pressure on prices; it remains to be seen if this will affect long term price trends in 2017.

“FuelWatch expects the weekly petrol cycle to continue over the holiday season, so we will probably see prices hike on the Tuesday of every week over the Christmas/New Year and the holiday periods.”

Fact File

• FuelWatch was created by the State Government in January 2001 to monitor the daily prices for petrol, diesel and LPG/Autogas within Perth and 54 regional areas.
• The FuelWatch website received a record number of 925,000 visits in October 2016 with an average of 780,000 visits per month in 2016.  FuelWatch also sends out email alerts to 37,500 subscribers.
• Motorists can check fuel prices and subscribe to email alerts at www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.

Media contact: Minister's office 6552 5600