A NSW Fair Trading inspector checks a service station to ensure the price at the pump matches the price on FuelCheck. Photo: NSW Government.
The South Coast and Southern Tablelands have recorded the highest number of fines as a result of the state’s FuelCheck inspection program.
The NSW Government has named some of the best and worst regions in the state for compliance rates for fuel price transparency.
Under NSW law, fuel retailers must register with FuelCheck and report price changes in real time and ensure displayed prices match the price charged at the bowser.
About half of all inspections have taken place outside of Sydney, with regional NSW accounting for about 70 per cent of all fines.
According to a government spokesperson, the South Coast and Southern Tablelands recorded the highest number of fines in the state, with 33 penalties issued mainly for mismatches between the price at the pump and the price on FuelCheck.
Service stations in the Riverina and Central West are also among those logging the highest number of price mismatches, each with 30 and 21 penalties.
A Port Kembla service station – which can’t be named – has received multiple fines and like others which have displayed “red flag” behaviours, will continue to be the target of NSW Fair Trading’s re-inspections.
Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said fair pricing started with fair behaviour at the bowser.
“We’re pushing this into the farthest corners of the state,” he 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.”
Motorists are encouraged to directly report fuel price mismatching through FuelCheck.
NSW Fair Trading has conducted more than 4600 field inspections and re-inspections since March.
Inspectors have also issued more than 270 fines, with about 80 per cent of these for price mismatches.
Almost 100 fines have been issued for price mismatches reported by the public.
New legislation before NSW Parliament proposes to 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 increase the fines for individuals from $22,000 to $55,000 while on-the-spot fines for service stations will be tripled to $3300 for the first offence and $11,000 for the second offence within 12 months.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said inspectors had been working around the clock and in every corner of the state checking for compliance in petrol stations to stamp out price mismatches.
“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,” she said.
