Great Western Highway duplication: will there be a toll

The NSW Government has revealed whether there will be a toll on the duplicated Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains as it makes a bid to revoke land from the National Park.

The Blue Mountains Royal National Park could be carved up under the NSW Government’s controversial $2.5 billion plans for the duplication of the Great Western Highway.

Labor MP Trish Doyle said she had concerns for the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park.

Despite the government ruling out a toll on the duplicated highway and tunnel, she said the community was suspicious.

Blue Mountains NSW Labor MP Trish Doyle. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Tolls are this government’s mandate,” Ms Doyle told The Blue Mountains News. “Our community calls on the NSW Government to categorically rule out financing this proposal by imposing tolls on the Great Western Highway — expanding their dangerous toll-mania obsession on regional NSW.”

Ms Doyle demanded the government rule out revoking land from the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains National Park.

Artist impressions of the duplication.

The government revealed the $2.5 billion plans to duplicate the highway between Katoomba and Lithgow could see the construction of a tunnel under the Blue Mountains National Park.

A NSW National Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman revealed Transport for NSW approached the department in order to secure land parcels for the major project, which has sparked severe backlash from the community.

The government’s proposal to revoke land parcels of National Park status for the project comes as Transport for NSW director Alistair Lunn ruled out the introduction of a toll on the duplicated highway.

“There will be no toll on any part of the Great Western Highway Katoomba to Lithgow duplication,” Mr Lunn said.

“Transport for NSW has started discussions with National Parks and Wildlife Services about the revocation of small sections of the Blue Mountains National Park next to the existing alignment to permit widening of the highway.

Blackheath Highway Action Group (BAG) chair Michael Paag addresses the audience about the State Government's Great Western Highway Upgrade Program and how it will impact them.

“There will be no impact on the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.”

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service said conversations for “possible revocation of some small areas of national park for the widening of the highway and possible tunnel portal” were ongoing.

In December, the government revealed the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow saw two planners, Aurecon and Jacobs Arcadis Joint Venture had been appointed to finalise designs for the development.

Regional Roads Minister Paul Toole said the duplication would reduce congestion and provide “safer, more efficient and more reliable journeys for all roads users travelling in and through the Blue Mountains”.