Two Illawarra service stations have been slapped with penalty notices after price mismatches were found during a statewide bowser blitz.
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NSW Fair Trading inspectors visited almost 600 metropolitan and regional servos as part of a recent FuelCheck compliance operation.
The state government’s FuelCheck website, also available as a mobile phone application, provides real-time fuel prices.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said the crackdown was to ensure drivers got the best bang for their buck at the bowser.
“Fair Trading swept through 587 stations checking that operators were updating their prices on the government’s FuelCheck website so customers can be confident they’re getting a fair deal,” Mr Kean said.
“The majority of stations are doing the right thing; however, inspectors did issue 27 infringement notices worth almost $15,000 during the operation.”
An Albion Park Rail service station and one at Austinmer were among the servos to be penalised for breaching the Fair Trading Act.
The prices of fuel being sold at each servo did not match the prices provided to FuelCheck.
The government did not disclose the names of the service stations.
Other breaches statewide included price information standards and a lack of registration.
Under the legislation, service stations found advertising the incorrect price can face a $550 penalty.
Mr Kean said more than 3.7 million people had logged onto the FuelCheck website since its launch in August, 2016.
“That’s why it’s important to ensure all petrol stations in NSW are fully compliant – and we’ll continue to crack down on any operators not doing the right thing,” he said.
The FuelCheck app, available on Apple or Android, can be used to lodge a complaint if the price shown doesn’t match the price at the pump.