Gas price increase unjustified and unfair - motorist

A Margaret River motorist has branded Coles Express’ LPG price hike of 42 per cent “unjustified and unfair”.

Marius Dakin told the Times the station increased had the gas price from 86.9¢ a litre to 123.9¢ a litre overnight, while surrounding outlets in Busselton and Witchcliffe left prices steady between 79.9¢ a litre and 94.9¢ a litre.

Mr Dakin said the station had a monopoly on LPG in the Margaret River town site.

He said it cost about $111 to fill up his 90-litre fuel tank, while it cost about $78 around September.

“In my opinion, the Margaret River LPG price hike is unjustified and unfair, particularly when you consider the LPG selling price at their fuel outlets in Busselton, Bunbury and metro Perth have hardly budged over the past two to three months,” he said.

Mr Dakin said local attendants at the shop did not set the prices and were sympathetic to residents’ concerns.

He said he was one of many residents who had had their cars converted to LPG in recent years when the State Government offered healthy subsidies to do so.

Margaret River resident Dickie Powell said he was not concerned about the gas price increases, which fluctuated around the State.

“I’m from New Zealand and they do it over there as well,” he said.

“It’s just a bloody game for them.”

Last year, an RAC investigation noted fuel prices in Margaret River appeared higher than in surrounding areas, but the saga led nowhere.

A Coles spokeswoman declined to comment on fuel prices.