Transport officials have revealed that the Government’s mobile speed camera enforcement program will not be fully operational over the new year period as the NSW Government is set to fail its own deadline of reintroducing warning signage by 1 January.
Transport for NSW officials have revealed at Budget Estimates that signs will not be in place for the entire mobile speed camera vehicle fleet by the Government’s own deadline of 1 January. Mobile speed camera vehicles without signs will not be on the road, leading to less enforcement.
The delay is due to the Government needing to explore options for new signs or replacement cars after 47 of the 143 mobile speed camera vehicles were revealed as being too small to fit the old warning signs.
Extracts from Budget Estimates hearing:
JOHN GRAHAM: Will these signs be in place by 1 January?
OFFICIAL: They won’t be in place for the entire fleet. They’ll be in place for some of the fleet. The number of vehicles that will be fitted with the signs will depend on what option we go with by 1 January.
…
JOHN GRAHAM: What you’re telling us is: If cars don’t have signs on 1 January, they simply won’t be on the road; there will be less enforcement.
OFFICIAL: That’s in line with the Government’s commitment, yes.
…
JOHN GRAHAM: As of 1 January, there might be a small number of these vehicles off the road, or a very significant number of the 143 mobile speed cameras might not be operating on 1 January. Is that a possibility here?
OFFICIAL: It’s a possibility…
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Roads John Graham:
“This is concerning news from transport officials indicating the Government will not meet its own deadline to have these signs in place.”
“This is a drama of the Government’s own making.”
“This has been a two-year debacle followed by a last-minute backflip. It has cost taxpayers $9 million and counting.”
“We are calling on the Government to guarantee these arrangements will be in place by January 1st.”
JOHN GRAHAM MLC
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR ROADS
