New waste trucks for Lismore in $5 million investment

COUNCIL has invested $5 million in eight new side loader trucks to improve waste collection services across the region.

A state government grant funded the upgrade to help address the ongoing impacts to council’s waste services after the 2022 floods.

The older fleet and collection issues across the local government area had caused service delays and higher maintenance costs.

Mayor Steve Krieg said Volvo Group won the contract for the new fleet following a tender process.

“Volvo’s proposal was selected for offering the best value based on cost, technical compliance, local support and performance,” he said.

“These new vehicles will enable council to deliver a more effective and sustainable waste collection service to our community. With improved reliability, they will also provide long-term operational savings to council.”

The new trucks will feature improved safety measures, including built-in cameras, fire suppression systems and work zone monitoring.

They will offer enhanced efficiency with faster bin lifts, improved hydraulics and modern Euro VI engines capable of running on biodiesel to reduce emissions.

Standardised components and modern technology will help cut maintenance costs and improve long-term reliability.

The vehicles will be serviced and supplied locally at Southside Agencies.

State funding was crucial in keeping the service local after outsourcing options included a Gold Coast company taking over the collection service.

It will help retain local jobs for more than 20 staff, while replacing trucks that were spending time in repair shops.

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig and United Services Union general secretary Graeme Kelly were part of the process.

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

“Minister Hoenig fully understood this, and I was able to work collaboratively with him, the mayor and the United Services Union to get this great result.”

The vehicles will be delivered progressively over the next three months.