The National Roads and Maintenance Association (NRMA) released the data this week with the rankings based on the average price of unleaded and diesel fuel in each town from January 1, 2014 to February 8, 2015.

In the findings there was a 12-cents-a-litre difference in unleaded fuel from the cheapest town, Albury, to the most expensive, Tumut.

Western NRMA director Fiona Simson said the presence of independent petrol stations in Orange created stronger competition and ultimately cheaper petrol prices.

“Regardless of who is selling the cheapest petrol in town, we want motorists to support them as that is a good way to create competition and ultimately cheaper prices,” Ms Simson said.

She also encouraged Orange motorists to share petrol prices on social media with the approach making a difference in several regional towns.

NRMA president Kyle Loades said towns with independent retailers traditionally create competition regardless of how big or small the town is.

Transport distances also seemed to have little bearing with Orange cheaper than Bathurst despite being further from Sydney.

“Looking at Lithgow, which is even closer to Sydney, the average price there during the study period was 6.4 cents per litre more expensive than Orange. Motorists filling up in Lithgow were paying almost $200 per year more than Orange motorists based on 30,000km of travel,” Mr Loades said.

“We know that it doesn’t cost any more than four cents per litre to freight fuel anywhere in NSW so we don’t buy into freight costs being the reason for such a difference in prices.” 

Mr Loader said the prices also fluctuate more in Sydney where there is more of a price cycle but the Terminal Gate (wholesale) price can change regularly, and this determines whether prices fluctuate up or down.

“For example, the wholesale price dropped considerably over the second half of last year and cheaper prices were reflected across the state.,” he said.

“Orange fared very well during this time. Unfortunately in 2015, we have seen the opposite with very high prices in Orange compared to other towns. Yesterday, the average price in Orange for unleaded was 128.7 cents per litre while Bathurst’s average was 122 cents per litre and Lithgow’s 127 cents per litre.”