Funding keeps waste service in public hands

LISMORE City Council waste services will remain inhouse after the NSW Government delivered a $5 million grant to improve the efficiency of the operations.

The waste management operations had incurred significant financial losses over the previous five years and was hit hard by the 2022 floods, forcing the council to explore outsourcing the service in November 2023.

The one-off grant supports the council’s capacity to deliver an improved service without privatisation by replacing its aging garbage truck fleet with nine new vehicles equipped with modern technology.

Trucks will have GPS installed to log routes and equipment to monitor the garbage contents, making for faster, more reliable garbage pickup.

Lismore MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, the council, and the United Services Union advocated for the funding, which was supported by the NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig.

“To keep the garbage service in public hands has been the desire of all and that was my focus,” Ms Saffin said.

The funding adds to a $20 million grant to the council for its recovery and the continued provision of local services and infrastructure.

Mr Hoenig said Lismore City Council has done significant work to support reconstruction efforts for the Lismore community.

“Waste collection is a core function of local governments, and this funding will make sure the council can deliver this service to the residents of Lismore more cost-effectively.”

Mayor of Lismore City Council, Steve Krieg said: “This funding is greatly appreciated and very welcome to be able to continue to deliver our waste collection service by council, for the residents of our LGA.

The union had expressed concern in 2023 that privatisation of the waste services could impact jobs for locals.