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Hawkesbury residents who travel to Sydney for work, school or medical appointments will benefit from a major cost-of-living policy confirmed in Parliament this week. The NSW Government has announced that the $60-per-week toll cap initially introduced as a temporary support measure will now be made permanent.
The announcement was applauded in the Legislative Council by The Hon. Peter Primrose, who emphasised the significance of the decision for people living in Western Sydney, where toll costs hit hardest.
Primrose commented that previous governments had "tollmania".
“Labor's toll cap has become an essential cost-of-living relief measure for hundreds of thousands of people, particularly those who live in Western Sydney.”
Western Sydney Pays More
A 2024 independent review, Motorists First, laid bare the scale of the problem:
- NSW drivers were spending $2.5 billion every year on tolls.
- Residents of Western Sydney suburbs pay more per week than people in other parts of the state.
The review found that tolls are generally too high, lack a consistent network or pricing strategy, and place an unfair burden on families already managing rising costs. It also confirmed that high tolls reduce economic wellbeing and disproportionately affect motorists struggling to keep up.
For Hawkesbury commuters—many of whom travel via the M2, M7, M4 or NorthConnex—these findings echo what locals have been saying for years: tolls are excessive, unavoidable for most, and deeply unfair to outer-suburban regions.
What the Toll Cap Means for You
The permanent toll cap allows eligible drivers to claim up to $60 per week, totalling as much as $340 returned per quarter. The cap was due to end on 1 January 2025, but will now remain ongoing.
The move is aimed at creating a fairer, simpler, and more efficient system, with a stronger recognition of the pressures on families and workers who must travel long distances to access employment, health care, and essential services.
Mr Primrose said the decision sets NSW on a better path than the previous government:
“NSW Labor is creating an overall system that is more efficient, fair and simple—particularly for those most affected by toll costs.”
How to Check Your Eligibility
Hawkesbury residents can find full details and check eligibility on the Service NSW website:
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/toll-relief
