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Sydney road tolls set to rise by more than 6pc in the new year

Inflation is set to send Sydney road tolls skyrocketing, in what has been slammed by the opposition as a secret tax on families. See how much you will pay on your roads.

Sydney has a ‘road toll monster’

Driving around Sydney is set to become a whole lot more expensive, with inflation pushing up tolls at a rate almost double the previous year.

NSW Labor analysis shows WestConnex tolls on the M4, M5 East and M8 will rise by a whopping 6.1 per cent.

For motorists taking two trips per day, five days a week for 48 weeks per year on the WestConnex M4, this will mean an average annual toll bill of more than $4500.

As WestConnex roads are linked to inflation, the yearly increases are higher than usual.

The analysis shows the tolls on other motorways with quarterly increases have also soared.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns will unveil a toll relief package in February. Picture: Richard Dobson
NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns will unveil a toll relief package in February. Picture: Richard Dobson

The analysis suggests that on roads such as the Hills M2 or NorthConnex, the average annual toll bill will rise by almost $300 this year.

Five of the city’s toll roads will see an increase of more than 7 per cent – almost double the rate of last year.

The toll increases mean revellers returning from New Year’s Eve fireworks via the Cross City Tunnel will pay $6.06 on the way into the city and $6.50 on the way out.

The tunnel contract was signed by the previous Labor government.

The release of the analysis comes as NSW Labor prepares its toll relief package, which it will unveil in February.

“This is a secret tax on the families of Western Sydney in particular, and it’s been brought to you by the NSW Liberals’ ideological obsession with privatised toll roads,” NSW Opposition leader Chris Minns said.

Opposition roads spokesman John Graham said Sydney was the most tolled city in the world.

“This is an expensive start to 2023,” he said.

“This government has made it worse with their relentless toll increases.”

The state government ­announced toll rebates as part of the State Budget, but has yet to deliver its review of the road toll system.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-road-tolls-set-to-rise-by-more-than-6pc-in-the-new-year/news-story/2b44176eac26050246f603eaddd68fea