Fuel prices in a Queensland outback town have soared to more than $2 a litre, hurting heavy transport operators.
Diesel fuel was priced at $2.02 a litre at the petrol station in the north-west Queensland town of Bedourie.
Unleaded fuel was selling for $1.96 a litre - 59c more than the cheapest fuel in Brisbane today.
Diamantina Shire mayor Robbie Dare and petrol station operator said fuel prices were at record levels.
"It's the highest (petrol prices) I have seen," Mr Dare said, who has been running the town's only roadhouse for the past 20 years.
"Road contractors and cattle carters are the hardest hit.
"Their fuel costs are cutting into their margins.
"Premier Anna Bligh said that while she was concerned the prices were high, Queensland was the only state to provide a fuel subsidy which kept prices down in regional and city areas.
"We are really not in a position to do anything more than we are doing but we are certainly committed, unlike any other state in Australia, to that fuel subsidy," Ms Bligh said.
"We will certainly work with those councils if there are things that can be done to assist them.
"I don't think we should ever give up on trying to improve the capacity to get transport out there (in the bush) in a cost-effective way."
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