High fuel prices in Armidale have prompted renewed calls from  Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to investigate city petrol retailers.

Commission chairman Rod Sims told the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on Wednesday that investigators were combing through financial records.

“What we’re doing in this regional study is asking the companies there for all their pricing and cost information and tracking that back through the value chain,” Mr Sims said. 

“We’re asking them under compulsory information powers to give us all their information so that we can fully understand what’s going on.”

Senator John Williams told the committee the situation for Armidale drivers was “quite amazing”. 

“You drive 30 minutes north of Armidale to a little place called Guyra ... nowhere near the size of Armidale and buy your diesel there a lot cheaper,” Mr Williams told the committee. 

Residents could expect to see the results of the commission’s investigation before June, Mr Sims said. 

Also, fuel pricing will be raised at the next meeting of Armidale Dumaresq Council on February 22. 

Councillor Jim Maher tabled a motion for Council to address the problem, saying high prices were driving away business for the city.

“Armidale businesses are losing out,” Cr Maher said. 

“The fuel prices are a disincentive to relocate here.

“It adds an enormous burden on Council and hence the ratepayers as Council is a big user of fuel.”