The NSW Opposition is calling for more than 20,000 drivers to have their fines refunded following the cancellation of a Government 30km/hr trial in Liverpool. These drivers were booked for speeding while travelling less than 40 km/hr during the two year trial period.
 
Revenue NSW data shows more than 20,000 fines have been issued for travelling less than 10km/hr over the speed limit by four cameras in the area covered by the trial. The trial began in July 2020.
 
Following a litany of stories from the public receiving fines and demerits, NSW Roads Minister Natalie Ward recently cancelled to trial and committed to re-instating the 40 km/h zone from January 2023.
 
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has said that drivers were “spending more time looking at their speedo than they’re looking at the road.”
 
During the trial the camera at Bigge St, Liverpool was amongst the top earning speed cameras in the state. The October 2022 figures for the Bigge St, Liverpool (northbound) camera show that 88 per cent of fines are in the under 10 km/h range and are more than 10 times the last pre-pandemic number for the same month.
 
A survey conducted by Liverpool City Council found over 90 per cent of residents did not support the trial and that neither pedestrians nor drivers felt safer.
 
Quotes attributable to John Graham, NSW Shadow Roads Minister:
 
“The government has declared this a failed experiment.
 
“Fines for going less than 10 kilometres over the 30 km/h limit in the trial area should be refunded.
 
“Who thought it was a good idea to have these speed cameras in full flight during this trial in the first place? No wonder the community feels this is revenue raising.”
 
Quotes attributable to Nathan Hagarty, NSW Labor candidate for Leppington:
 
“The reversal of this state government trial is welcome, but drivers should not pay the penalty for the Government’s failed experiment.
 
“Fines paid should be refunded.
 
“The drivers of Liverpool are paying the price for the government’s blatant revenue raising.”

JOHN GRAHAM 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR ROADS
 
NATHAN HAGARTY
NSW LABOR CANDIDATE FOR LEPPINGTON