Drivers across Ballina are rushing to fill their tanks as fuel prices surge and rumours of possible shortages spread online.

But the spike has also sparked ugly scenes at some service stations, with staff reportedly abused by frustrated motorists.

Long-time former Ballina service station operator Mark Ross says workers are being blamed for price rises they have no control over.

“It’s not the fault of the people working there,” Ross said.

“There are a lot of angry people out there, but they shouldn’t be taking it out on the staff.”

Prices for unleaded petrol have climbed by as much as 30 cents per litre across the Northern Rivers in the past week.

Many drivers say they are trying to fill up early in case prices climb further.

Others have been searching for the cheapest outlets across the region.

Prices vary widely even within short distances.

Mobil West Ballina was the cheapest outlet in town on Sunday, selling E10 petrol for 207.5 cents per litre.

However drivers willing to travel a little further could still find petrol below the $2 mark.

Outlets in Alstonville and Wollongbar were both listing unleaded at 199.9 cents per litre.

Cheapest petrol today

Mobil West Ballina – 207.5 (E10)

Alstonville/Wollongbar – 199.9 (all outlets)

Lismore
Shell Dawson Street – 187.9

Cheapest diesel

Mobil West Ballina – 216.5
Shell Lennox Head – 212.9
Liberty Byron Bay – 207.9

(Source: NSW FuelCheck- 0700 8/3/26)

Lismore motorists were paying significantly less.

The cheapest unleaded there on Sunday was 187.9 cents per litre at the Shell on Dawson Street, with every outlet in town still below the $2 mark.

Ballina’s long-time cheapest outlet, Metro Petroleum on River Street, was actually the most expensive locally this weekend at 215.9 cents per litre.

Ross said motorists should shop around because price differences between stations can be significant.

“It pays to check around before filling up,” he said.

“No need for prices to jump”

Ross began his career as a driveway attendant before managing a Ballina service station.

He said fuel used to be priced based on the cost already sitting in a station’s storage tanks.

“When we got fuel delivered it was at a set rate, and we sold it based on that rate,” he said.

“You didn’t suddenly put prices up by 20 or 30 cents just because the market might go up next week.”

Ross believes modern pricing practices have changed dramatically.

“You can’t tell me every service station in the Northern Rivers bought their fuel yesterday at a higher price,” he said.

The renowned local charity worker said many families were already struggling with the rising cost of living.

“It might only be 20 cents a litre to some people,” he said.

“But for people already on tight budgets, that’s money they simply don’t have.”

Ross said the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission should again examine petrol pricing.

Mark Ross – “The ACCC needs to act”

Panic buying unwarranted

The federal government has urged motorists not to panic buy fuel despite the spike in prices.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said Australia currently holds about 36 days of petrol supply, 34 days of diesel and 32 days of jet fuel.

Officials say those reserves are the highest national fuel stock levels in more than a decade.

Bowen said refiners and importers have assured the government that supply contracts remain secure despite rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Australia imports around 90 per cent of its refined fuel, meaning global events can quickly affect local prices.

However authorities say current stock levels mean there is no immediate risk of Australia running out of fuel.

Economists warn prices could still climb further if global oil markets continue to tighten, with some tipping petrol could hit the $3 per litre mark if the situation doesn’t improve.

For now, officials say the message to motorists is simple.

Buy fuel only when needed.

Panic buying, they say, could create the very shortages drivers fear.