Sydney’s best and worst suburbs for fuel price transparency revealed

Many Sydney suburbs have recorded a 100 per cent compliance rate, making them among the best in the state for fuel price transparency. Across Liverpool and its surrounding suburbs (including Chipping Norton, Moorebank, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea and Mount Pritchard) all 35 service stations were compliant with no fines recorded. All 15 stations across Greystanes, Girraween, Pendle Hill and Wentworthville were compliant, as were the 15 stations in the Windsor area (postcode 2756).

Two postcodes have demonstrated the worst compliance rates, with fines issued to multiple stations. One third of service stations in West Ryde have been issued fines for mismatches between the price at the pump and the price on FuelCheck. Additionally, two of the 12 stations in the 2142 postcode (covering Granville, Rosehill, Camellia, Clyde and Holroyd) were also fined.

Service stations that display 'red flag' behaviours, such as receiving fines or multiple consumer complaints, will continue to be the target of NSW Fair Trading's re-inspections.

NSW Fair Trading inspectors have now conducted over 4,100 field inspections and re-inspections, with approximately half of all inspections have been conducted in the Sydney metropolitan area. Inspectors have also issued more than 245 fines, with around 80% of these penalties being for price mismatches.

Bowser Busters is delivering consistent and effective results - with everyday motorists now acting as NSW Fair Trading's eyes and ears on every street, road and highway, almost 100 fines have been issued for price mismatches reported by the public.

FuelCheck continues to be an important part of the Government's fuel security response, with 93 per cent of users reporting the app is easy to use, 87 per cent saying they trust the prices are accurate and up to date, and 85 per cent finding FuelCheck useful in helping them save money.

Legislation introduced by the Minns Labor Government to NSW Parliament this week will also make it illegal for service stations to fail to notify FuelCheck of a standard price of fuel or fuel unavailability at the bowser. Petrol stations that are incorporated could still face court-imposed fines of $110,000. The proposed legislation will also increase the fines for unincorporated operators from $22,000 to $55,000. On-the-spot fines for service stations will be tripled to $3,300 for the first offence and $11,000 for the second offence within 12 months.

As NSW Fair Trading closes in on the final service stations across the state over the coming weeks, motorists are encouraged to continue directly reporting fuel price mismatching and help target compliance activity in communities where it is needed most.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:

"These numbers show that as cost-of-living pressures ramp up, the Minns Labor Government will not back down.

"We are delivering on our promise to ensure transparent fuel prices for the people of NSW.

"And it's working - re-inspections are deterring most service stations from taking motorists for a ride.

"We want motorists to be alert to price mismatching at their local servo and report their concerns directly to FuelCheck."

NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:

"Our inspectors have been working around the clock and in every corner of the state checking for compliance in petrol stations to ensure motorists are getting the right price at the pump.

"FuelCheck gives motorists confidence that the prices they see in the app are the prices they'll pay at the pump.

"NSW Fair Trading's compliance work helps ensure fuel retailers are doing the right thing and that consumers can rely on accurate pricing information before they get to a petrol station."