A victory from a people power campaign in outer South Western Sydney will benefit everyone who tows a caravan in NSW.
State Member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong, has credited a community led campaign for a rebate scheme that will provide toll relief for drivers on Sydney’s motorways towing a caravan, horse float or boat.
The new rebate scheme is a win for pensioners, a win for retirees and a win for families,” Mr Chanthivong declared.
“The Liberal Government unfairly lumped people towing caravans into the same class as trucks and other heavy vehicles – charging three times more in tolls.
“The rebate will take the sting out of the holiday tax.
“It’s fantastic to see people power achieving another great win for the community.”
The local MP’s community led campaign included a petition, representations to the NSW Minister for Transport on behalf of concerned constituents and questions to the NSW Parliament.
Changes to vehicle classifications by toll operator Transurban from October 1 last year saw vehicles towing a caravan, trailer or boat greater than 12.5 metres in total length and more than 2.8 metres high reclassified as Class B vehicles – the same as B-double trucks.
Local residents, many of them pensioners or retirees, labelled the changes as onerous and unfair.
Now they can celebrate because the state government agreed with them and has announced a rebate scheme from November this year, but which will be backdated to June 1.
The rebate scheme will apply to all of Sydney’s toll roads, except for the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel.
Claimants will need to register with Transport for NSW, submit a claim through their toll retailer’s online portal, and the $14 per trip refund will be deposited into a nominated bank account.
For further details, visit https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/sydney–motorways/toll–charges/large–vehicle–rebate.html
Mr Chanthivong has written to the NSW Minister for Transport seeking clarification on whether motorhomes are included in the cashback scheme announced on June 18.
“I will always fight for our community’s fair share,” Mr Chanthivong said.
