A Wellington city councillor says cheaper petrol prices aren't always a good thing

Queues built up yesterday at the newly opened Waitomo fuel stop in Upper Hutt.

It's hoped it'll bring some price competition to the region, one of the more expensive in the country.

City councillor Iona Pannett says it can be good for people on small budgets - but we need to look at the bigger picture.

She says the problem is it encourages people to use their cars instead of sustainable alternatives.