By Jed Lanyon
Healesville residents hoping for lower fuel prices are unlikely to have their prayers answered as another big brand retailer is planning to move in at the location of the potential Healesville McDonald’s development.
A lack of independent fuel retailers has seen the big brands prices go unchecked, leading Healesville to have the highest average unleaded fuel prices across the greater Melbourne area, according to the RACV.
Major fuel chain, 7-Eleven, is the brand looking to construct a new service station at the 17 Maroondah Highway development. Like McDonald’s, the company applied to amend an already approved planning permit to make minor changes to suit their typical signage and branding.
Last week Star Mail reported on RACV’s research, which analysed petrol prices in 748 metropolitan and regional suburbs and towns for the year to 1 April 2021 and found the 3777 postcode to be the most expensive place to fill up.
Local motorists pay an average of 137.35 cents per litre for unleaded fuel, over 20 cents per litre higher than the cheapest fuel destination in Melbourne.
Earlier this month, one fuel retailer in Healesville charged 169.9 centre a litre, which was 41.2 cents higher than a retailer in Wandin North.
When Star Mail investigated the issue recently, RACV’s senior engineer Nicholas Platt said the lack of independent fuel retailers in the area meant there was no pressure for the bigger brands to lower prices.
“Healesville is only serviced by three retailers, all of whom are major brands – Caltex, Coles Express and BP,” he told Star Mail.
“Wandin North and Mount Evelyn by contrast are entirely serviced by independents which tends to have the effect of holding down prices in surrounding areas such as Lilydale. While Lilydale also has a large proportion of major brand retailers, it has significantly lower prices than Healesville due to this competition.”
As 7-Eleven looks to come to Healesville, will they shake-up the fuel prices in a bid to force change amongst other retailers? Or will they keep the status quo and leave locals frustrated?
