Why is it that even as global oil prices plummet, bringing cheaper prices at the bowser, some fuel outlets in our region are still charging motorists a lot more than their city counterparts?

Often the price difference can be as high as 25 or even 30 cents a litre. It is unacceptable and never adequately explained.

Now the Australian Competition and Consumer Council is on the case, announcing last week that it will put four south-west centres on its watch list because of stubbornly high prices.

Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton and Colac will be regularly monitored by the watchdog for quarterly reports.

The commission will also select random venues off the list and use its power to gather information from companies to make sure they are playing by the rules and not gouging customers.

Transport costs, storage, distribution margins and profits will all come under the spotlight as the ACCC strives to drill down into the regional fuel retail market to find out who the cowboys are and how they are taking advantage of motorists.

Australian consumers are riding the wave of an unexpected drop in the world’s oil price that should give them a substantial saving on their household expenses.

That windfall should be available to all Australians and not just those who live in our big cities.

A few cents here or there in the price of petrol might not mean much to some but for families it can make a huge difference, especially if they are using their vehicle a lot.

The ACCC’s investigation into fuel prices is long overdue and although the fuel market is complex that is the very reason it is open to manipulation.

As ever, it is always the consumer that comes off worst.

In the light of falling fuel prices, this investigation is timely and we wish the ACC the best of luck as it goes about its work.