Costume designer Natalie Morel-Lewis loves her job but any more increases to the cost of road tolls on her commute could see her reluctantly calling it quits.
She lives in the Blue Mountains and drives to Strathfield in Sydney's inner west three or four days a week for her part-time job.
Her trip costs her more than $2,000 a year in road tolls, which she says is one-fifth of her disposable income once petrol costs and car registration have been deducted.
"I get to be creative and work with others and performers and be in the creative arts," she said.
But she fears travelling to her job will become unsustainable if road tolls continue to rise.
"A lot of people further out would need to look for work closer to home," she said.
"But there aren't any jobs in the mountains."
The NSW government has announced a major review of Sydney's road tolls that will look at pricing inconsistencies, fairness and equity, as well as the impact on the cost of living.
The review, which has been tabled in parliament, notes that toll roads have evolved in a piecemeal manner, leading to different charging mechanisms and customer confusion.
Transport Minister David Elliott has welcomed the review.
"My electorate of Baulkham Hills is the highest-tolled electorate in the country so … I can see that tolling is an issue," he said.
"We are highly-tolled in Baulkham Hills, as they are in Parramatta. Yes, the money is being spent appropriately but I will be seeing … that the tolls are well compensated."
Toll roads 'eating Sydney'
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said it was an issue his party has been talking about for years.
"Finally we've got a bit of paper from the NSW government acknowledging what everybody already knows; toll roads are eating Sydney," he said.
Labor's Shadow Minister for Roads, John Graham, said 17 out of the 20 suburbs where motorists were paying the most in tolls were in Sydney's west.
"This review is welcomed but it contains a frank admission of failure," he said.
"We look forward to the government considering toll relief before they put up new tolls."
The audit comes as little comfort for Ms Morel-Lewis, who has no alternative but to drive to her dream job.
"I would be utterly devastated to think of a time when I'm not doing this job."
