Forbes is experiencing some of its highest fuel prices in recent memory with prices of regular unleaded and diesel going over 150 cents per litre at some retailers this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Motorists across the state are experiencing similar costs and the NRMA has warned the situation may not get better in the near future.
Forbes’ cheapest price could be found at the Metro service station on Thursday, with regular unleaded costing 147.9 cents per litre and diesel slightly cheaper at 145.9.
For unleaded, all other retailers were charging at least 152.9 and diesel varied between 148.9 and 155.9.
The situation was worse at Parkes, with no fuel available for under 150 cents.
Across the Central West, prices have risen between 20-30 cents since mid-March but NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said prices aren’t likely to get much higher.
“The average price in Sydney is 155 cents but based on the fuel cycle, we expect it will drop to 137 in around two weeks time,” he said.
“Regional NSW isn’t seeing the fluctuations we are seeing in the city. A lot of regional towns are averaging 150 cents per litre and we don’t think they will reach 155 but it probably also won’t drop lower again any time soon because the regions don’t have a fuel cycle.”
Incredibly Grenfell had the cheapest fuel in the region, with the Metro service station offering regular unleaded for 135.9 cents per litre and diesel for 140.9.
Metro stations were among the cheapest, with the station at Perthville, near Bathurst offering 143.9 for unleaded and 145.9 for premium diesel while Metro at Bathurst were 145.9 and 146.9 for the same fuels.
Metro at Orange also offered 145.9 for unleaded and 147.9 for regular diesel.
The main reason behind the price increase was the highest demand for oil in seven years, while OPEC nations were limiting supply, Mr Khoury said.
Ongoing instability in the Middle East and potential sanctions against OPEC nations Venezuela and Iran could have further effects on prices in the future, he added.
Because it was international factors pushing up prices, Mr Khoury said the increases were consistent but he said there were some towns where prices for unleaded and diesel were lower.
“There are some towns that are fairing better. There are a few towns with prices below 150 cents and that is quite good at the moment, while others are much higher.
“But within towns, prices can vary by at least 10 cents per litre so people need to shop around.”
Mr Khoury said people could access real-time data to find the cheapest stations in town and be sure it was up-to-date.
That data is available through the government’s website fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au or via the my nrma app.