The ACCC has finally commenced an investigation into Watsonia petrol prices, following years of complaints about the cost of unleaded being higher in our suburb than almost everywhere else in Melbourne. While many are under the impression that the Watsonia Road petrol station is closed for renovations, it has actually been temporarily taken over by the consumer watchdog, which has reportedly exhumed years worth of log books hidden deep within the store. That evidence has now been relocated to a secret location so the data can be forensically analysed in an ambitious attempt to uncover how and why petrol is so much more expensive in Watsonia than anywhere else.

The challenging local situation has been compounded this year by the fact most residents have been trapped in a five-kilometre radius in recent months due to the COVID-19 lockdown, with no legal avenue to access reasonably-priced fuel. News of the investigation has been well received by local motorists, many of whom stopped filling their cars up in Watsonia years ago.

One such resident, Darryl Clayton, said he hoped the detailed investigation would get to the bottom of a riddle that has baffled him for years. Clayton said, “It’s a real head-scratcher. I mean, I know Watsy is a bit fancy these days, but surely we shouldn’t be charged a fuel excise just because we enjoy a better standard of living. I don’t think it’s fair at all, and I hope the ACCC can solve the mystery.”

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