Brisbane hit with most expensive petrol in three years

“We saw a slight increase in the global price of oil, but there’s no way servos can justify the high prices we’ve seen.”

The data also showed that in December, service stations charged, on average, indicative retail margins of 16cpl for unleaded petrol in December – the highest recorded across the state.

Ms Smith said it was likely retailers extended the expensive phase of the south-east Queensland price cycle in December because they wanted to keep prices high through the festive season.

“To have indicative retail margins of 16cpl is unjustified and is simply rorting motorists,” she said.

Ms Smith said RACQ would continue to lobby the state government for mandatory petrol price reporting so motorists had the information to make informed choices at the bowser.

“There’s nothing illegal about the price being charged,” she said.

“All we, as drivers, can do is to ensure we’re only supporting the service stations charging the lowest price,” she said.

In October an Australian Competition and Consumer report revealed Brisbane drivers were paying an average of 3.3 cents per litre more than motorists in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

RACQ encouraged motorists to hold off on filling up as petrol prices were currently falling by about half a cent a litre each day.

In Brisbane, the fair fuel price was considered 138.3cpl while Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast residents could expect to pay 141.3cpl and 141.7cpl respectively.