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Perth fuel prices hit new high

Perth fuel prices hit new high

Perth fuel prices hit a record high last year, with motorists paying an average 146.4 cents a litre for unleaded petrol - 3.1 cents more than they did in 2012.

Prices peaked in July with a record average of 160.6 cents/l. The previous highest average was 160 cents/l on July 15, 2008.

Commentators have blamed the high petrol prices on the falling Australian dollar and higher global oil prices on the back of instability in Libya, South Sudan and Syria.

The final Fuelwatch figures for last year showed that neighbouring Wanneroo Road service stations in Neerabup, Puma Energy (141.3 cents/l) and Liberty (141.5 cents/l, were again Perth's cheapest.

But it appears rivalry has also begun to emerge in the eastern suburbs, with two service stations in Roleystone - Better Choice (141.7 cents/l) and United (141.9 cents/l) - also finishing in the cheapest five.

Better Choice manager Jax Johnson said the daily prices were set by head office but they were aware of the local competition.

"For some reason, we are consistently about 10 cents/l a litre cheaper than service stations down the road in Armadale," she said.

The recently opened Puma Energy service station in Nollamara finished third.

The Fuelwatch figures coincide with the release of survey results suggesting one-third of Australian motorists would consider leaving their cars at home if petrol prices rose another 20 cents/l.

The survey by insurance provider Budget Direct involved nearly 1500 motorists in capital cities, including Perth.

One-third of respondents said they would continue driving regardless of the price of petrol.

One in five said they would seek other modes of transport once the price hit $2.

Many motorists indicated they were already taking action to save on petrol and maintenance costs.

Two out of three were driving less, half were washing their cars at home instead of at a car wash and one in three were taking public transport more often.