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NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay has admitted tactics used by the operators of a mobile speed camera in the southern NSW town of Wagga Wagga shouldn't be happening.
Weighing in on the debate after being approached about the situation by Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire, the minister's office contacted Fairfax Regional Media yesterday to issue the following statement.
"It looks like entrapment, which is exactly what we didn't want to happen," Mr Gay said.
"We want a clear message out there and the placement of these signs was careless at best."
At the weekend Wagga motorists captured images highlighting the fact warning signs required under the NSW Speed Camera Strategy were placed in locations not readily visible to approaching motorists.
Signs were placed before intersections and behind parked cars at distances not consistent with the strategy guidelines.
The Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) says it will now review the issue with Wagga contractors, Redflex.
"The RMS regularly audits the operations of the mobile enforcement program," a spokeswoman said.
"In light of the recent community concerns around the placement of mobile speed camera signs, the RMS will review the issue with the contractor and reinforce the need to follow set procedures."
Fairfax Regional Media contacted Redflex for comment on the placement of the signs.
At the time of going to press, Redflex had not returned calls or issued a statement in response.
Redflex is paid an agreed contract rate per hour of enforcement and are not paid according to the number of speeding incidents detected. The company operates mobile speed cameras around NSW.
The RMS has also struck out at Wagga City Council's request for a permit to place the signs on council land, saying it is not required to apply for one.
"The RMS wrote to Wagga Council in January to advise it is permitted under the Roads Act 1993 to carry out traffic control work on all public roads, transit ways that are not public roads and on all road related areas," a spokeswoman said.
"A 138 permit is not required."