NSW Motorways is another step on road to toll reform
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
The NSW Government is driving towards a fairer toll road network, with the establishment of NSW Motorways to progress toll reform and advocate for motorists.
The new, publicly owned entity was a key recommendation of the Independent Toll Review of Professor Allan Fels and Dr David Cousins.
NSW Motorways will take ownership of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel before the Western Harbour Tunnel and M6 Stage 1 open in public hands. Over time, other private toll road concessions will come into the entity as they return to public ownership.
NSW Motorways stands up on Tuesday 1 July and has been tasked with strengthening governance and accountability in the multi-billion Sydney toll road sector.
It will establish a dedicated Customer Advocate who will be responsible for making the system more motorist-orientated in areas including complaints and administration around toll notices. The role will set standards for conduct and service for toll operators and advise the Minister and Transport for NSW on issues affecting motorists using the network.
Separately an Independent Tolling Ombudsman will be created, which was another recommendation of Prof Fels and Dr Cousins.
Work has begun to transfer the retail business E-Toll into NSW Motorways and take on Transport’s toll notice functions.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Camilla Drover, who currently leads infrastructure projects and engineering, has been appointed acting chief executive. She will lead its establishment before a permanent CEO is appointed.
NSW Motorways is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
Legislation to create NSW Motorways passed NSW Parliament last November and the Government has created an oversight role for the pricing watchdog, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), to monitor prices and reforms.
The NSW Government continues with direct deal negotiations with toll road concessionaires.
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to restoring fairness to the toll system and this is another step in putting motorists first after many years in which they were victim of Liberal Party ‘toll mania’.
“NSW Motorways will create a Customer Advocate whose responsibility to ensure the voices of motorists are heard and to identify systemic issues to act upon. The new entity will take over E-Toll as part of the same motorist-first ethos.”
