View of Noosa State Electorate on PetrolSpy App at 10.49am 26/2/25

Following resident concerns regarding excessive variations in fuel prices, Sandy has continued advocating with the Queensland Government for more action to ease these pressures on our community. This includes her Question on Notice in March 2024 and speech on the Cheaper Power (Supplementary Appropriation) Bill 2024 in May 2024 as well as writing to the previous Premier in August 2024 asking that the Noosa Electorate be considered for relevant trials and for a proposal to be presented to the community for resident input.

As mentioned in our August 2024 Noosa 360 update, the previous Government committed to establishing State owned fuel stations and capping price increases and other measures. Considering this and with a new Government established after the 2024 State Election, Sandy wrote to request information on the new Government’s policies and plans to reduce fuel prices. The following was provided in response by the Queensland Treasurer:

In Australia, petrol, diesel and automotive LPG prices are deregulated and are not controlled by either state or Australian Governments. While fuel prices are determined by the market, maintaining and promoting competition in the retail fuel industry is the responsibility of the Australian Government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC has powers under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Australian Consumer Law to protect the interests of consumers, including within the retail fuel sector. You can find more information on the ACCC fuel price monitoring at: www.accc.gov.au/consumers/petrol-and-fuel. 

I note that there are around 13 service stations in the Noosa Electorate that offer regular unleaded petrol (ULP 91). Petrol price websites and smart phone apps such as PetrolSpy, MotorMouth, RACQ, and others can help motorists find the lowest prices and save money at the bowser. For example, on 28 January 2025 the average price for ULP 91 in the Noosa Electorate was $1.89 with a maximum price $1.90 and a minimum price of $1.83. With respect to the Ninderry, Nicklin, and Gympie Electorates, the average price of ULP 91 on the same day was $1.83, $1.78, and $1.80 respectively.

The Queensland Government provides a fuel price reporting scheme to help motorists shop around and save at the bowser. All fuel retailers are required to report their fuel prices online within 30 minutes of any change, and these prices are made available to fuel price apps and websites to give Queensland motorists the tools to be able to find the best deal.

Motorists seeking out fuel retailers with lower prices rewards competitive behaviour amongst service stations. It has been demonstrated that a single actively discounting service station can significantly drive down local petrol prices.

You can find out more about Queensland’s fuel price reporting scheme at: www.energyandclimate.qld.gov.au/energy/vehicles-and-energy/fuel-price-reporting.

As with many large urban areas near capital cities, the Noosa Electorate is subject to a petrol pricing cycle. Use of petrol pricing apps can enable motorists to target their fuel purchases to the most competitive service station, even when the cycle is trending upwards.

Consumer behaviours have the potential to exert downward pressures on petrol prices in a fair and open market. The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring consumers have access to current, transparent, and readily accessible information through its fuel price reporting scheme, empowering motorists to make informed decisions at the pump and drive competitive pricing from fuel retailers.

From our interpretation of the above response, it appears the new Government currently has no plans to move beyond what was implemented by the previous Government. In summary, it reiterates the petrol pricing cycle and that resident behaviour has the potential to exert downward pressures on petrol prices by using the petrol price apps and sourcing the cheapest option.

In addition to our efforts on fuel prices, during our recent annual Noosa MP Community Survey, some residents raised the need for more public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. Following our enquiries, the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads stated there are several Queensland Electric Super Highway and Co-Fund sites in the vicinity of Noosa including at:

  • Sunshine Plaza, Horton Parade, 154/164 Maroochydore – opened
  • The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Rd, Yandina – opened
  • Cooroy Rail Station, Elm St, Cooroy – opened
  • Palmview, 73 Frizzo Rd, Sunshine Coast – expected to open in March 2025.

You can read our full Noosa 360 update regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at www.sandybolton.com/electric-vehicle-ev-public-charging-stations-february-2025.

To inform our future advocacy on fuel prices and EV charging stations, especially regarding the fuel price checker services mentioned in the Treasurer’s response or potential future charging locations, please email our office feedback via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Further information

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on fuel prices, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Fuel

For direct advocacy to State Government regarding fuel prices, email the Queensland Treasurer via treasurer@ministerial.qld.gov.au.  Regarding matters related to electric vehicles, contact the Minister for Transport and Main Roads via transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au.

Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

Updates on many local matters are available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This also ensures you receive any future Noosa related surveys or polls.

For any enquiries relating to the Federal Government, please contact your local Federal (Commonwealth) MP’s office: