Petrol prices breaks records in Maryborough, Gympie | Video

Just a year after petrol prices plummeted to 15-year lows across the region, the cost of fuel in both Maryborough and Gympie has now reached record highs.

Drivers are feeling the pain in their hip pocket this week, as fuel prices climb to record levels in Maryborough and Gympie.

The average price of unleaded in Maryborough yesterday hit 160.3 cents per litre, surpassing the previous record of 160.2 set in July 2008, while Gympie fuel prices reached 161.7cpl, above the October 2018 record of 160.7.

RACQ spokeswoman Kate Leonard-Jones said global factors were behind the unprecedented prices.

“As countries open up from COVID-19 restrictions, international supply and demand issues have driven up oil prices leading to high terminal gate prices,” Ms Leonard-Jones said.

“Prices in Hervey Bay are yet to reach their record of 163.1cpl, with averages for unleaded still three cents shy.”

It comes after the cost of fuel plummeted across the region last year, reaching the lowest prices seen in 15 years.

“These record high prices will come as a shock to families in Maryborough and Gympie, who were paying around 50cpl less this time last year.

“However, regional Queensland hasn’t been impacted as severely as the south east, where Brisbane broke its record high when average unleaded prices tipped 178.7cpl.”

Ms Leonard-Jones said prices in regional centres across Queensland had jumped between 2cpl and 5cpl in the past week.

“Prices could continue to rise further but should then begin to stabilise over the next week or two. However, we’re unlikely to see prices fall by any significant amount in the lead up to Christmas,” she said.

“No matter where in Queensland you live, make sure you use apps like RACQ’s Fair Fuel Finder to track down the service stations near you with the best deals.”