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CITY of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox has joined calls for a reduction in fuel prices in regional Victoria.
Yesterday, RACV manager Michael Case called on fuel retailers to drop the price of unleaded petrol in regional Victoria to reflect falling world oil prices.
The mayor said he backed the RACV's call, noting people living outside Melbourne often travelled further to visit friends and family over the Christmas/New Year period.
"With average households spending around $60 a week on fuel (Australian Bureau of Statistics) and average household income lower in regional areas than in metropolitan areas, it is vital to keep costs down wherever possible," he said.
Cr Cox said he would also write to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission seeking advice as to why petrol prices in Greater Bendigo were higher than those in Melbourne and Geelong over the Christmas/New Year period.
"It is quite unfair that motorists here appear to be missing out on the full benefits flowing from the worldwide fall in oil prices and I am keen to find out why," he said.
"Clearly, the cost of transporting fuel to regional areas needs to be factored in to the price here; however, I do not believe this can justify such big price differences."
Mr Case told the Bendigo Advertiser on Tuesday fuel prices should have been getting lower over the past three months due to the fall in world oil prices.
He said there had been a slower decrease in retail prices in some regional areas compared to metropolitan places like Melbourne, where outlets had dropped prices to levels not seen in years.
''Our major concern is that regional centres have not been following the price down quickly enough," he said.
"Some centres have, but not quickly enough considering a major reduction."
Mr Case said prices had also been quite variable between nearby regional places, with some towns dropping prices but not others, sparking concern higher fuel prices in certain places could not be attributed to transport or supply costs.
"There are some variances between nearby regional centres which relate to differences in local competition," he said.
"It's our view prices should have come down more quickly to a level closer in price to Melbourne."
Mr Case called on regional motorists to put pressure on retail outlets by filling up at cheaper places over the New Year period in the hope of sending a message about higher prices.
"Our advice to motorists is to be aware of differences between regional centres and be on the lookout for cheaper fuel," he said.
"If coming to Melbourne... fill up down there."
Fuel prices in Melbourne on Tuesday varied between 112.7 cents a litre and 114.9 cents a litre, while in Bendigo the prices were much higher.
On Tuesday the Bendigo Advertiser reported one Bendigo outlet was charging 126.3 cents a litre.
Cr Cox said he personally observed prices of 127 cents a litre and 130.1 cents a litre at other outlets in Bendigo on Tuesday night.