COMMUNITY outrage and political pressure has led to a U-turn by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which will now investigate the city's high fuel prices.
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An NRMA statewide study found Armidale's six service stations charged the second highest price for fuel, beaten only by Tumut, in the past 40 weeks.
Unleaded petrol was up to 8c a litre more expensive in Armidale and diesel 13c a litre more expensive than at the nearby Black Mountain Road House.
The six service stations in Armidale are supplied by Coles, Woolworths, Caltex and BP.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall initially raised the matter in Parliament and called for the consumer watchdog to investigate.
But it ignored his request, arguing it was not illegal to put prices above the cost of supply and urging motorists in Armidale to shop around.
Mr Marshall said Thursday's backflip by the commission was a “big win for the Armidale people”.
“I’m very pleased that the ACCC reflected on this issue and will now undertake an investigation into the consistently higher prices paid by motorists for fuel in Armidale,” he said.
Mr Marshall told how Nationals Senator John Williams was set to question the commission before a Senate committee hearing in Canberra and offered to help.
It was then the commission backed down and said it would investigate Armidale's high fuel prices.
“I am very proud, together with pressure from the Armidale community, to have played a role in bringing this issue into the sharp focus of public attention and secure an ACCC investigation," Mr Marshall said
Mr Marshall has again urged local people to have their say and ring the ACCC’s toll-free number 1300 302 502 and make a consumer complaint or got to the website www.accc.gov.au and submit their views online.
