NSW motorists have wasted no time stepping up as Bowser Busters, with consumer intelligence now turbocharging NSW Fair Trading’s fairer fuel price compliance blitz.
The Minns Labor Government kicked off Bowser Busters’ less than two weeks ago and it has been responsible for a significant uptick in Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) being issued to service stations each day. Reports submitted by motorists through FuelCheck about price mismatches between FuelCheck and the bowser are rapidly translating into enforcement outcomes.
Since 18 March, NSW Fair Trading has carried out over 2,300 field inspections and re-inspections covering around 90% of the state, and has issued over 140 PINs. This includes around 90 PINs issued by inspectors in the field for matters relating to price mismatches, failures to comply with information requirements and service stations found not registered with FuelCheck.
Meanwhile, Bowser Busters have supported inspectors to issue a further 57 PINs since 30 March, including 56 for price mismatching and one other station not registered with FuelCheck – sending a strong signal that the state’s five million motorists are backing NSW Fair Trading inspectors’ effort to deliver fair fuel pricing. Bowser Busters has already doubled NSW Fair Trading’s enforcement outcomes when it comes to price mismatching.
For retailers who fail to meet their obligations, the message remains clear, with on-the-spot fines of $1,100 and court penalties of up to $110,000 applying depending on the offence.
With motorists supporting NSW Fair Trading by having eyes and ears on the ground, inspectors are now able to spend less time travelling and more time taking enforcement action, helping to improve fuel price transparency and prevent repeat breaches.
FuelCheck remains central to the program, with around 350,000 motorists using the platform each day to confidently check prices, track availability and ensure the price they see is the price they pay.
On-the-ground and desktop compliance inspections will continue to occur seven days a week to maximize coverage and presence in every corner of the state. NSW Fair Trading will also continue to re-inspect sites demonstrating abnormal or misleading behaviour.
To explore FuelCheck, please visit: www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/app
Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“The Minns Labor Government knows families are feeling the pressure with petrol prices adding to the cost of living during these uncertain times.
“Our NSW Fair Trading inspectors are out on the ground every day checking service stations are not charging more at the pump than the price they put on FuelCheck.
“With Bowser Busters we have over five million motorists backing our inspectors on every street and road across the state.
“Misleading motorists is never acceptable, and Bowser Busters has supercharged our crackdown on inaccurate pricing.
“Our message to service stations is simple: do the wrong thing and you will be caught.”
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said:
“This milestone shows what’s possible when motorists, industry and government all work together for the same goal of transparency at the bowser, especially at a time when every dollar counts for families.”
“Our Bowser Busters are making a real difference by using FuelCheck to stay informed and speak up when something doesn’t look right, proving fairness works best when everyone takes part.
“I want to thank the many service station operators who are doing the right thing every day, updating prices accurately and working constructively with inspectors to keep fuel pricing fair.”