Cape York rising fuel prices begin to bite again
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Road users on Cape York Peninsula are again feeling the bite of rising fuel prices, as Queensland goes through another petrol price hike cycle.
At Injinoo, near the tip of Cape York, a litre of unleaded fuel sells for $2.40 while diesel goes for $2.50.
Unleaded petrol is $2.30 a litre at Coen, in the central Cape, $2.48 at Archer River, and $2.38 at Weipa. There are reports of prices above $2.60 in some locations.
These prices are well above peaks recorded in April, when the war in Ukraine began to drive up global fuel prices.
The new increases will inevitably push food prices up, and have revived fears the high cost of fuel will scare off visitors as Cape York’s peak tourist season begins.
Thousands of self-drive tourists and four-wheel drive enthusiasts visit the region each dry season, between June and September. They are a major boost to the local economy.
Local business and tourism operators said people will be paying so much for fuel they’ll have less to spend on food, accommodation, and tours.
There’s also widespread concern about freight and food deliveries costing more, pushing up the cost of living for Cape York residents.
Fuel prices began to fall in April, after the former Federal Government introduced a temporary cut to the fuel excise.
But prices have resumed climbing and are hitting new Australian peaks, driven by the Ukraine war and increased demand for oil in China.
In Brisbane, unleaded hit record highs above $2.20 last week.
