A single speed camera in Sydney has generated almost $11 million in fines in just 12 months, while another has caught more than 27,000 motorists breaking the speed limit. New figures published by the Sydney Morning Herald have revealed the huge amount of money collected by speed and red-light cameras across New South Wales during the 2025-26 financial year.

The biggest earner was a westbound speed camera in Sydney’s Cross City Tunnel at East Sydney, which issued 23,548 fines worth a combined $10,983,817. That equates to an average of more than 64 infringements every day, generating approximately $30,000 in fines every 24 hours.

However, it wasn’t the camera that caught the most motorists. That distinction went to a southbound speed camera in the Rozelle Interchange in the city’s inner west, which recorded 27,643 infringements over the same period. Those offences were worth a combined $9,969,681, equivalent to more than 75 fines and $27,000 in penalties every day.

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Together, the two cameras generated almost $21 million in fines, with underground motorway cameras accounting for most of Sydney’s 10 highest-earning locations.

Across NSW, speed and red-light cameras generated approximately $324.5 million in fines during the 2025-26 financial year, with close to one million infringements recorded. Speed cameras accounted for the majority, issuing 779,405 fines worth $204.9 million, while red-light cameras recorded 203,351 offences worth another $119.6 million.

Approximately 60 per cent of all infringements involved motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10km/h or less, while running a red light accounted for another 20 per cent. The figures have reignited debate about the effectiveness of speed cameras and whether the penalties imposed on motorists are appropriate.

Transport for NSW defended the use of speed cameras, pointing to their role in reducing road trauma. According to the department, speeding contributes to approximately 42 per cent of road fatalities in NSW, while government reviews have found lower rates of road trauma at camera locations following their installation, without giving specific examples.