Hello FuelWatchers,

Well… What a year! It certainly has been eventful at FuelWatch. As it's been such a busy time, we thought it fitting to summarise the major fuel related news from 2003 as we head into the New Year. The main stories of 2003 revolved around the Iraq war, the ethanol debate and the introduction of various retail fuel discount schemes. I have included some news and press release links that may be helpful if you would like to investigate further.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

THE IRAQ WAR
Australian motorists experienced considerable fuel price fluctuations in the lead up to the March 20 2003 US led attack on Iraq. In February and March, average ULP prices rose well above $1 per litre in most cities. It was widely believed that high fuel prices would continue for an extended period or for the duration of the conflict, as was experienced during the 1990 Iraq war. Despite conjecture, this was not the case and Australian fuel prices returned to a relatively usual cycle by April 2003.

THE ETHANOL DEBATE
11/04/2003 The Commonwealth Government announced there would be a 10 per cent limit on ethanol-petrol blends and service stations would be required to label such blends from 1 July 2003. This announcement resulted from a lack of public confidence in the use of ethanol in fuel. Prior to this announcement there was no limit on ethanol-petrol blends. Click here for more information.
01/07/2003 The Commonwealth Government introduced the 10 per cent limit on ethanol-petrol blends.

FUEL DISCOUNT SCHEMES
Coles/Shell
27/05/2003 Coles Myer Ltd (CML) and Shell announced a commercial alliance designed to provide their customers with a 4c/litre discount fuel offer. Click here for more information.
28/07/2003 151 Coles Express stations open in Victoria.
01/12/2003 The Coles Myer - Shell Alliance extend its fuel discount offer to New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

IGA
29/09/2003 The IGA supermarket chain announced a 4c/litre fuel discount offer to begin in QLD. Click here for more information.
24/10/2003 The IGA fuel offer is extended to include SA and the NT.
28/11/2003 The IGA fuel offer is extended to include NSW.

Caltex/Woolworths
28/08/2003 Woolworths Limited and Caltex Australian Limited announced a plan for a 50/50 joint venture to deliver fuel at a 4c/litre discount to more Woolworths customers across Australia. Click here for more information.
21/11/2003 Caltex and Woolworths open the first three co-branded petrol stations in Sydney.

So that’s the fuel news for 2003. On behalf of FuelWatch team, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We encourage all motorists to take extra care as the holidays approach, and if you’re travelling long distances make sure to take regular breaks from driving. We want to see everyone back safely next year, so please take care. Remember, stop, revive and survive!

Bernadette Murray
Marketing Manager
bmurray@fuelwatch.com.au 

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Damien Reid, our guest editor, with more fascinating news on the Fuel and Auto front.
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New Car Reviews proudly supplied by News Limited.
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The average, lowest and the highest prices for last month in each city were:

The price leading service stations for each city last month were:

Brisbane	Service Station Ozfuel Address Beaudesert Road Suburb Calamvale Average Price for month 74.3
Sydney	Service Station Astron Address corner Meadows Road and Elizabeth Drive Suburb Mt Pritchard Average Price for month 82.6
Melbourne	Service Station Metro Fuel Address corner Mt Dandenong Road and Lusher Road Suburb Croydon Average Price for month 80.6
Adelaide	Service Station Caltex Address corner Torrens Road and Panmure Place Suburb Woodville North Average Price for month 84.6
Perth	Service Station Ampol Address corner Guildford Road and Third Avenue East Suburb Maylands Average Price for month 86.0

FuelWatch is committed to helping Australian motorists get a better deal on fuel by providing them with free and easily accessible information on fuel prices.

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