Perth Diesel Drops Over Ten Cents and Forrestfield Holds the Cheapest Suburb Average in the Country
Right, so if you're driving a diesel ute around Perth you'll wanna hear about this one. Western Australia diesel has dropped 10.7 cents in the last 24 hours, bringing the state average to 298.2 cents a litre across nearly 800 stations. That's a proper move, and it's got Perth tradies smiling into their morning coffees.
Fair dinkum, the story gets better when you zoom into the suburbs. Forrestfield is sitting on the cheapest suburb average in the whole country at 272.6 cents, with the cheapest pump at 259.9. You won't find that anywhere on the east coast right now. Five servos in Forrestfield and they're all doing the right thing by locals.
Same deal just a bit further out. Kwinana Beach has six stations averaging 281.5 cents, with the cheapest at 265.9. Ascot is close behind at an average of 283.3 cents with the cheapest pump sitting on 265.7. For context, that's about 30 to 40 cents less than what Sydney outer suburbs are copping, and it's plenty cheaper than most metro areas in the country.
Here's the thing, right. Compare that to what's happening over on my side of the country. NSW diesel is sitting at 304.5 cents average, while Queensland is 304.6 and South Australia has actually climbed 8 cents this week to 305.5. Perth drivers are copping something like 6 or 7 cents cheaper than the rest of us on mainland Australia right now, and that's before you start hunting for the really sharp servos.
Now, you'd be mad not to keep an eye on the tight suburbs. Beckenham has three stations with a spread of just 1.8 cents between cheapest and dearest, averaging 280.4 cents. Anketell has a spread of 2 cents, and Yangebup is sitting on 3 cents across four stations at an average of 286.4. That's what happens when competition is doing its job properly. None of the servos can take the mick because the one up the road will undercut them before breakfast.
Wanneroo up north is another one worth looking at. Six stations averaging 288.1 cents, but the cheapest is 268.7. That's a 20 cent spread in one suburb, which means a couple of servos are taking the mick while others are doing the right thing. Drive past the expensive one and save yourself a cold one or two on a fill up.
Worth keeping an eye on a few other WA suburbs too. Thornlie, Welshpool, Banksia Grove and Dianella are all averaging between 286 and 287 cents. Myaree, North Perth and Scarborough are holding under 288. Even regional Northam is running 288.2 cents, which is pretty fair considering how far inland it sits.
Fair dinkum, the difference between Perth and the rest of the country right now is about the price of a couple of schooners per fill up. If you're filling a 70 litre tank, the gap between a WA suburb like Forrestfield and what a Melbourne driver is paying at 299 cents average is roughly 19 bucks. Over a month of commuting, that adds up to serious coin in your pocket.
Couple of quick tips for anyone in Perth running a diesel. One, check the map before you head to your regular spot. The spread between suburbs is massive, and the servo on the main road isn't always the cheapest. Two, time your top ups when you're already out that way. If you're near Forrestfield, Ascot or Kwinana Beach anyway, fill up while you're there. Three, keep in mind the WA spread from cheapest to dearest statewide is 82.9 cents. That's a proper gap, and the remote outback servos will cop you hard if you're not prepared.
Look, end of the day, a 10 cent drop in the state average is the kind of news you wanna hear when you're driving a big thirsty ute. Perth drivers have copped it sweet this week, and the west side is doing better than most of the country on diesel right now. A bit of planning means more cash in your pocket for the important stuff. Can't argue with that.
