On the first of October, tolls will once again increase across the NSW Road Network.
Transport workers rely on access to NSW’s road network to conduct essential business that keeps the state moving. In many cases, such as with NorthConnex, drivers have no option but to use the toll road option.
Small transport business continues to be in crisis, with owner drivers and business owners burdened with the use of toll roads, zeroing out of profit, and offered little relief thus far. The union has been consistently and relentlessly calling for fairness in this space. 3-Tonne trucks paying the same rate as a fully-loaded B-Double is a confounding inequity which is not tenable in the long term. Workers are under increasing pressure, and October’s rate hike will only increase the problem.
Recent announcements from the NSW Government seem to indicate that toll relief for private vehicles will be winding up this year, however, with the review package underway, what will replace it is yet to be seen.
Promisingly, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, a TWU Member, announced at the TWU Delegates Conference that the Government would be undertaking further review and consultation in the near future. (above)
The TWU maintains that any toll review package must review the impact of tolls holistically, on private commuters, but also transport operators and drivers which can no longer afford to operate in these conditions.
TWU Secretary Richard Olsen says, “On October 1, transport workers are being slugged with yet another price hike on NSW Roads. We welcome the Treasurer saying that transport workers are in-mind, and will be asking the NSW Government to ensure that the Transport Workers’ Union is a part of any further consultation in this space.”