Perth fuel prices soar to record monthly average, squeezing drivers

Fuel Watch figures indicate that the average price for unleaded petrol in Perth’s metro area climbed to $2.37 per litre this month, a record since the start of the year and a sharp increase from $1.68 in January. The weekly average briefly hit $2.45 per litre, and analysts expect another rise as prices near the $2.50 threshold. Diesel prices slipped to $2.76 per litre after a high of $2.93 in April, yet remain among the costliest in the region.

Cam Dumesny, chief executive of the WA Transport Industry Association, said diesel prices are likely to stay high through the rest of the year and into next year, adding pressure to inflation and household budgets. He noted that Western Australia’s transport network depends on a single railway and main road, both prone to flooding due to high soil moisture, which could force more expensive road freight. The combination of soaring fuel costs and potential logistical disruptions threatens to increase expenses for businesses and consumers across the state.