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Regional Motorists Turned Into Cash Cows


Regional Motorists Turned Into Cash Cows

Author: NRMA MediaDate: 22 February 2010

The NSW Government has turned regional motorists into cash cows - to pay for its Sydney-centric transport plan.

Director Graham Blight said the NSW Government had once again punished regional NSW after leaving communities out in the cold in its 2009 budget when no road projects were announced west of the Great Dividing Range.

"They closed many lines on the regional rail network and gave us no money for roads in their 2009 budget - now they want to sting us for up to $30 per vehicle when we register our cars," Mr Blight said.

"You don't get a choice in regional NSW - with limited public transport options, if you want to get around, you buy a car," Director Mr Loades said.

"Regional NSW motorists will be paying higher registration charges to fund Sydney-centric transport projects and will not see any of this money reinvested in regional roads - many of which are in poor condition."

Heavy vehicle owners will be the hardest hit with all vehicles over 1505kg attracting a $30 registration increase as of 1 July. The tax varies from $5 to $30 depending on the weight of the vehicle.

Many regional drivers had larger cars because of the longer distances they need to drive and would be paying at the high end of the weight tax scale.

"This is a cruel blow for regional motorists - let's hope the news is much better when the State Budget is handed down mid-year," Mr Loades said.

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