Price boards for country service stations now compulsory

25/11/01
Rules to ensure fuel retailers in major regional centres throughout Western Australia have to display the prices they are charging for motor fuel came into effect last Friday.
The regulations mean petrol station owners with compliant price boards now have to use the board. Those without appropriate boards have 30 days to erect one so they are clearly visible to passing motorists.
Many fuel retailers in country areas don't display prices, so motorists don't know what price they will be paying for their fuel until they reach the bowser.
Regional centres covered by the new regulations are Boulder, Broome, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Carnarvon, Collie, Dampier, Dardanup, Esperance, Geraldton, Greenough, Harvey, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Kununurra, Mandurah, Murray, Narrogin, Northam, Port Hedland, South Hedland and Waroona.
Consumer Protection Minister John Kobelke said the new regulation was good news for motorists.
"The introduction of fuel price boards means motorists can make informed decisions about buying fuel and will have more power to choose between retailers," Mr Kobelke said.
"Price displays encourage competition in the retail petrol industry and increase the transparency of prices.
"Being up-front about petrol prices is fair to consumers and motorists can now see what service stations are charging before they enter petrol stations. This will be particularly beneficial to motorists travelling during the Christmas period."
Price boards have been in place in Albany since August. There has been an average of a two cent per litre reduction in the difference between Albany and Perth unleaded petrol prices since the boards were introduced. This, combined with positive consumer feedback, has led to the decision to implement price boards in major regional centres throughout WA.
Consumers can get the latest on fuel prices in WA at the FuelWatch website http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au or by calling 1300 55 08 08, 24 hours a day. They can also have fuel prices e-mailed through the free FuelWatch subscriber service at the website.
FuelWatch is the first program of its kind in Australia giving consumers advance notice of fuel prices.
Media contact: Steve Manchee on 9222 9211