Two-way tolling set for Sydney Harbour Bridge in bid to drop toll costs across western Sydney

Chris Minns is set to backflip on a pre-election promise not to impose new tolls by establishing a two-way charge on the Sydney Harbour Bridge - despite slamming the idea when he was in Opposition.

NSW Premier Chris Minns is set to backflip on a pre-election promise not to impose new tolls by establishing a two-way charge on the Sydney Harbour Bridge — despite slamming the idea when he was in opposition.

An independent review of the city’s toll network released Tuesday recommends a new northbound charge across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel, as well as the Eastern Distributor, with Roads Minister John Graham declaring the review made “a strong case” for the move.

The extra revenue made from the harbour crossing would be put into lowering tolls across the rest of Sydney’s motorway network - particularly in the west - but MPs representing north Sydney electorates lashed the proposal, given the Premier’s previous pledge not to introduce new tolls.

Mr Minns on Tuesday emphasised a decision on new charges hadn’t been made and that he “will only consider a change if it means lower tolls overall for the people of NSW”.

Motorist driving towards the Harbour Tunnel and Bridge toll at North Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

That was despite him helming a scare campaign against the former Coalition Government when it was considering the move, with a 2021 social media post from Mr Minns stating: “The Liberals are trying to put a second toll on the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Is there anything they won’t toll?”

He also declared that year that “going forward there should be no more new tolls on existing roads”.

Independent Wakehurst MP Michael Regan, a key crossbencher, said he “absolutely would not support” any increase in tolls.

Professor Allan Fels, who headed the independent toll review for the NSW Government.

Acting Opposition leader Damien Tudehope also took aim, claiming “the response to a ‘toll-mania’ is to introduce a new toll”.

Davidson MP Matt Cross added: “Broken promises are the norm for Chris ‘Spins’. Now he hides from tough questions about his toll review, as he plans to slap Sydney with new tolls”.

The Premier told The Telegraph “years of privatisation by the former government has meant the toll burden disproportionately affects western Sydney drivers who have copped quarterly toll increases every year whilst there has been no increase on the Harbour Bridge for 10 years.”

Roads Minister John Graham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mr Graham, asked if he was willing to backtrack on his party’s pre-election stance on new tolls, said the “report makes a strong case” to do so, adding “it is fair to ask everyone to contribute to solving this problem”.

The toll review, headed by Professor Allan Fels, also calls for the urgent creation of a state-owned entity, ‘NSW Motorways’, to help set toll road charges.

The report includes two scenarios outlined by Prof Fels to drop prices, one of which is based off a restructure supplemented by two-way tolling, while the other scenario adds a more significant reduction aided by up to $650m in subsidies being pumped in by the government.

While a current trip from Campbelltown to the CBD costs $25.98, under scenario one that would drop to $19.58, and in scenario two it would be reduced to $12.79.

Prof Fels said toll-road giants Transurban had indicated a willingness to help with reform of the system.

Transurban CEO Michelle Jablko said the toll giants were “committed to working with the Government on potential reforms”, while western Sydney MP and deputy Premier Prue Car said the “report lays bare the costly consequences of toll road privatisation...a burden unfairly carried by western Sydney residents”.

Leading Transport founder Harry El-salim welcomed changes. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Leading Transport founder Harry El-salim welcomed changes which would reduce tolls for western Sydney motorists, saying drivers at his Milperra-based freight business paid an average of $100 a day in tolls.

“We built these roads with our tax money – how are we paying again (in tolls)? How is that fair as an Australian citizen that I’m getting punished to use my own roads that I’ve paid for?” he said.

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