Inflation soars for Darwin essentials, including fuel: ABS

Inflation rose in the Territory capital at the fastest pace anywhere in the nation, adding an extra pinch to budgeting Darwin residents. And there’s no relief for motorists.

A SURGE in the price of fuel and housing have contributed to a sharp jump in Darwin’s cost of living.

And the pump price is tipped to grow higher as international pressure sees surges worldwide.

The latest Bureau of Statistics figures show September quarter inflation increased by 1.5 per cent and 5.9 per cent for the year to September – the nation’s highest.

Key factors include a 7.8 per cent increase in dwelling purchases by owner occupiers, a 13 per cent increase in other financial services due to the end of the Territory homeowner discount on stamp-duty, an 8 per cent increase in fuel and 2.8 per cent increase in rent.

But it is the impact of the cost of fuel that has the biggest impact on hip pockets.

Rosa is finding the fuel price rise financially difficult. Picture Julianne Osborne

As recently as August 16 the price of fuel in Darwin was 122.6 cents a litre according to the NT Government’s Retail fuel market tracker. Yesterday the pump price in Darwin’s northern suburbs was between 161 cents a litre and 169.7 cents a litre.

And motorists aren’t happy.

Doriano Di Pierro from Rapid Creek said prices were climbing every few days. “Why aren’t more people whinging about this? Every three days it’s climbed four cents, four cents and three cents. That’s 11 cents over the past 10 days.”

Bernadette Edwards from Lyons said the price hikes had an impact. “We’ve had to make food cuts and we’d normally have two cars on the road,” she said.

Rosa from Nightcliff told the NT News she no longer fills her tank to save cash.

And there is no sign of prices stabilising. Motor Trades Association NT chief executive Paul Unerkov said the very high price of crude oil is determining prices here.

Darwin petrol prices are set to keep rising. Picture: Christian Gilles / NCA NewsWire

“The high price of petrol is likely to continue while crude oil and the wholesale price of petrol is so high,” he said.

“Compared to other national cities Darwin has managed to maintain lower average monthly petrol prices, with the average monthly pump price in Sydney and Brisbane higher over each of the past 12 months.

“There is not a lot that we can do about the wholesale price, but to help keep pressure on the price of petrol, I encourage motorists to continue to support your local independent service station and shop around.”