For those of us who live in the hills district, we are being discriminated against by the state government and treated unfairly in comparison to residents in other areas. An employee who lives in the hills is likely to work along the corridor to the city or perhaps even the other side of the city. However, the cost of doing so is prohibitive. Travel to North Ryde = $4.40 + $4.40 per day, or $44 a week from post tax money, to use our own vehicles to get to work. travel to the North Sydney = $4.40+$2.55 + $1.27 + $2.55 + $4.40 = $15.17 a day or $75.85 in post tax dollars, just to get to work. Travel to the city, and you pay $4.40 + $2.55 + $3.00 + $2.55 + $4.40 = $16.90 per day or $84.50 a working week. If you are unfortunate enough to work on the other side of the city, your cost would be $4.40 + $2.55 + $3.00 + $4.50 + $2.55 + $4.40 = $21.40 a day or a whopping $107 a week! We get told to use public transport that is inefficient runs at poor times or involves a number of inefficient changes. Instead, we sit in traffic for over 10 hours a week and pay for the privelege of doing so. If that is not reason enough to protest, our tax dollars and RTA fees go to support residents of other regions such as those on the M4 and M5 corridors, where the toll is now purely GST and even those who do pay cash, still pay less than what we do. Despite numerous letters to both the M2 operators and the government, our pleas for assistance have been ignored, and enough is enough. Suggestions they have ignored are: 1. Allow residents of the hills to claim the tolls as tax deductable expenses 2. Allow discounts for residents of the hill for regular use 3. Reduce the tolls on the weekends and evenings so families are not further punished 4. Widen the M2 east bound to reduce frustration UPDATE POSTED 5 July 2007 There has been numerous activities since the petition started. Article in the rouse hill and blacktown local papers and the telegraph: http://www.rousehilltimes.com.au/article/2007/05/29/751_news.html http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21906185-5001031,00.html a plug on the channel 9 news: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspxid=275812 And a number of interviews on talk radio stations. I also contacted the Mr Iemma\'s office and am still waiting for a response, as I am from Mr Aquilina\'s office. I contacted Louise Markus who\'s office initially said to put in an email. I subsequently recieved a phone call from Louise herself, wanting to meet. She said her diary person would give me a call to arrange a time. The meeting was extremely informative. Whilst many things were discussed, the reality is the roads are an issue for the NSW government. Therefore, I contacted the RTA, who basically wrote back to say \'tough\', and take back roads if you don\'t like it. finally, I also recieved an anonymous phone call, explaining that the government are aware of the protests, but have already decided to do nothing as \'its not like they have a choice is it\' Further to suggestions, we are looking for a \'no toll day\' where we refuse to use the toll. However, aware of the impact this will have on peoples personal lives, we need to ensure we have significant buyin and support before hand.

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