Eddie Russell
Residents are up in arms after the price of petrol in Melton became 30 cents higher than the next most expensive option in Melbourne’s western suburbs this July.
Now, every service station in Melton, Melton South, and Melton West, has made unleaded fuel 219.9 cents per litre as of Monday July 22.
A Facebook page called Melton Fuel Group has more than 4000 members, who monitor and compare the prices of Melton to surrounding areas.
Melton Fuel Group administrator Jordan Mizzi said it was “extremely unfair” and that the geographic isolation of Melton played a role in the prices.
“It’s like the petrol stations look at the map and think people aren’t going to bother going for a drive for a better price,” he said.
“People either don’t know that there’s cheaper fuel elsewhere or don’t have the time to travel to go and get it.”
On July 22, unleaded petrol in Bacchus Marsh was as cheap as 181.5 cents per litre, while in Caroline Springs it was 175.9 cents per litre across the board.
Shell, 7-Eleven, BP, and Ampol operate all 12 petrol stations in Melton.
Mr Mizzi said independent service stations like United, Liberty, and Apco would bring fairer prices to Melton.
“When I’ve looked at the proximity of big name stations to independent stations, there’s a very direct correlation in price there,” he said.
“One thing that is crystal clear to us is that independent service stations bring down the price of petrol wherever they appear.”
Melton MP Steve McGhie echoed Mr Mizzi’s assessment and said an independent service station would have an impact on lowering costs.
“Fuel outlets in Melton must stop their price gouging,” he said.
“The sooner an independent operator enters the Melton market the better for all in the Melton community.”
A BP spokesperson said BP reviewed its prices every day to ensure it was competitive.
A spokesperson from 7-Eleven said its ‘fuel price lock’ had saved motorists in Melton more than $775,000 in the most recent quarter of 2024.
“Since March 1 this year, at the three stores in Melton, more than 55 per cent of customers purchasing fuel have used the fuel price loc k… and saved an average of 16 cents per litre,” they said.
Shell and Ampol were contacted for comment.
