Speed camera firm Acusensus bills NSW taxpayers $2075 for every fine issued in July

Labor analysis shows the private firm tasked with operating mobile speed cameras delivered just 350 hours of enforcement — well below the 1700 hours planned.

Taxpayers forked out $2075 for every mobile speeding camera fine issued in July by a private company tasked with running the cameras in the south of Sydney and parts of NSW, according to an analysis from Labor.

New government data reveals a private firm tasked with operating mobile speed cameras delivered only 350 hours of enforcement in July, well below the 1700 hours planned.

The lack of speed camera enforcement — which was blamed on the Covid-19 lockdown — led to drivers in Northern Sydney and the north of the state being fined drastically more than drivers in the south.

A mobile speed camera in Martin Place.

Acusensus is being paid $77 million for a three-year contract to deliver 8300 hours of enforcement each month.

A separate firm, Redflex, which patrols the north of ­Sydney and NSW, has a $91 million contract to deliver 12,000 hours of mobile speed camera patrols per month.

According to the state opposition, taxpayers spent $2075 for every fine issued by Acusensus in July, after comparing the amount paid under the contract with hours of enforcement provided.

The failure to deliver the planned 1700 hours of enforcement was blamed on Covid-19 supply chain pressures, and NSW government delays in awarding the contract.

A mobile speed camera vehicle.

Transport for NSW said the Covid-19 lockdown had impacted Acusensus’ ability to recruit staff and fit out vehicles, but the company is now rapidly expanding its enforcement hours to deliver what has been paid for.

“The vendors supplying mobile speed camera services in NSW are only paid for actual hours of enforcement delivered and are making every effort to maximise their delivery despite the impacts of the Covid Delta outbreak,” Transport for NSW deputy secretary Tara McCarthy said.

“Acusensus have increased their delivery of hours by 350 per cent from 318 hours in July to 1443 in August,” Ms McCarthy said. “The company delivered over 2700 hours in September and is also on track to fulfil their full contract hours by late October.”

But Labor has accused the government of slugging drivers in the north of Sydney more, while letting drivers in the south off scot-free.

“We need one set of road rules for the whole state. Instead we have chaos,” Labor’s Roads spokesman John Graham said.