NSW drivers skip fines in ongoing mobile speed camera bungle

A bungled rollout of mobile speed camera fines is continuing to split the state in two — those who cop mobile speeding fines and those who do not.

A bungled rollout of mobile speed camera fines is continuing to split the state in two — those who cop mobile speeding fines and those who do not.

New government data for last month shows motorists in the southern half of the state dodging fines, as those in the north cop 25 times as many.

Only five of the top 100 mobile speed camera locations in NSW are in the southern region. Picture: Brendan Radke

Of the top 100 mobile speed camera locations in NSW, only five were in the southern contract region, which covers south of Sydney and southern NSW.

In those five locations, just 615 offences were issued, for to $224,516 in revenue.

The rollout of mobile speed cameras in the southern region is being undertaken by a firm with links to former deputy premier Troy Grant.

In the north of Sydney to the Queensland border, where the rollout is being undertaken by a different contractor, a record number of fines are being issued.

The data shows in the 100 ­locations, a total of 15,613 offences were issued, totalling $3,463,370 in revenue.

As revealed in Budget Estimates earlier this month, the disparity in fines was linked to the new contractor for southern NSW, called Acusensus, which last year enlisted Mr Grant as a strategic adviser.

Acusensus was awarded a $77 million government contract to roll out the cameras.

State opposition roads spokesman John Graham likened the situation to an episode of action film series Fast And The Furious.

“Now would be a good time to film the latest Fast And Furious sequel in the south of NSW. The chance of getting caught for speeding is almost zero,” he said.

“In contrast, if you live in the north of NSW or Sydney you face record fines. How did this company win this contract? The tender required them to demonstrate they could do the job ­before it was issued. What checks were done?”

Data for August shows the number of fines issued to motorists in Wagga Wagga fell from 500 in April to zero last month.

Fine revenue from mobile speed cameras overall increased from $2.3 million in 2019-20 to $23.7 million in 2020-21.