The former NSW government considered placing new tolls on Sydney drivers and a congestion charge on motorists entering the CBD, the current government has revealed.
Documents obtained under a review of Sydney’s heavily tolled roadways revealed the measures were under consideration as one way of creating a new pricing structure and a more efficient motorway network.
The former government was considering a Continuous Motorway Network that could have included currently untolled roads such as the Anzac Bridge, General Holmes Drive, Gore Hill Freeway, Southern Cross Drive, Warringah Freeway and Western Distributor, according to a spokesman for Roads Minister John Graham.
Also under consideration was an entry fee for the Sydney CBD to potentially reduce the number of vehicles entering the city, including during the morning peak period, by up to 40 per cent.
The measure was also considered to potentially support a shift to public transport and a more pedestrian-friendly CBD.
Current premier Chris Minns took to the previous election that his government would conduct a full review of the state’s toll roads with a view to easing costs on motorists.
Former finance minister Damien Tudehope said the new tolling regime was never coalition policy.
“Governments receive a lot of reviews and reports, and it is up to the government of the day to make decisions whether to proceed with particular policies or not,” he said.
Mr Graham and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will on Wednesday reveal further details of the review, which is being led by former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman, Professor Allan Fels.
In the lead-up to the election, Prof Fels told the media that while congestion charging was not in the direct scope of the review, it may come under consideration.
“Within the context of it being a toll price review, there may or may not be scope,” Mr Fels said at the time.
“We’ll certainly look at some congestion issues within that slightly more limited framework.”
– AAP
