Up-to-date fuel prices from more than 1000 servos across Queensland will be available from midday today to new and existing app developers and websites.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the prices were being made available free under the government’s two‑year fuel price reporting trial.
"From midday today, servos must supply up-to-date fuel prices via an online portal to be collated and provided to app operators like MotorMouth, GasBuddy, and newcomers like the RACQ," he said.
"Over the next couple of weeks as the apps start using the data, motorists will see more servos with more up-to-date prices appearing on the apps and websites they regularly use.
"This is going to mean potential savings for motivated motorists prepared to shop around."
From midday today all Queensland fuel retailers have to lodge their up to-date fuel prices within half-an-hour of them changing at the bowser.
Fuel prices will then be made available free to existing apps, as well as any innovators interested in entering the market.
Around 1300 of Queensland’s 1446 servos had signed up on Friday to share their prices, with some operators still working to get systems in place.
Prices of some Queensland’s servos currently appear on various apps and websites, but some of those prices can be hours or even days out of date.
Under the State Government’s two-year trial, retailers will have to report fuel prices within 30 minutes of them changing at the bowser, or face fines of up to $13,000 for not complying.
Retailers will have three months grace to get their processes right, with fines to be handed out by Easter next year if they don’t update fuel prices accurately and on time.
Dr Lynham said his Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy would continue to actively follow up with retailers to get them on board as soon as possible.
The trial complements what you see is what you pay laws that came into effect 31 January this year, which require retailers to display only full prices, rather than conditionally discounted offers, on their fuel price boards.
