The NRMA is calling on the NSW Government to urgently review the classification of caravans, which has led to a 200 per cent increase on families, grey nomads and others when taking holidays across regional NSW and Australia.
On 1 October 2019 the toll for vehicles towing caravans at lengths of more than 12.5 metres increased overnight from $15.92 to $47.75 for the length of the M2 and M7, the equivalent paid by heavy vehicles such as a B-Double.
The NRMA has been contacted by a number of Members frustrated at the sudden increase and concerned at the lack of communication from the Government prior to the price hike. The organisation is concerned about the impact that high toll price for caravans will have on regional tourism.
The NRMA is one of Australia’s largest tourism and transport providers with services across Holiday Parks, Hotels, SIXT and ferry services.
Celebrating its Centenary in 2020, NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said supporting drive tourism to regional Australia would be an increasing focus of the organisation.
“The M2 and M7 toll hike was a tax on tourism at a time when regional communities desperately need support.
“Caravan and campers spend $7.9 billion in local businesses and regional communities. We need to be encouraging greater travel and dispersal, not increasing the cost of taking a holiday.
“For every $1 spent at a local holiday park $1.48 is spent in the local community. That’s local restaurants, shops, attractions, bed and breakfasts that all benefit from caravan and camping.
“Instead of a dramatic 200 per cent price hike for towed caravans on the M2 and M7, we would’ve liked to see a more reasonable classification for caravans and greater consistency across other motorways to bring them into line as a way of encouraging more regional holidays,” Mr Khoury said.
“Regional NSW is clearly struggling and we need Government, corporate Australia and the community to do all it can to boost travel and activity in these regions. The NRMA firmly believes encouraging people to spend their holiday dollars in these areas is a great way that we can all help.
“Clearly, adding more taxes to the cost of a regional holiday is not the way to go and the NRMA wants an immediate review of the exorbitant toll prices for caravans. Surely we can all agree that a system that charges a family with a caravan the same toll as a B-Double needs to be reviewed.”
The NRMA is also concerned that the significant price hike could see caravans drivers who previously used motorways divert their journey to local streets, thus increasing congestion.
