Council investing in improved waste collection services for Ipswich
24 January 2023
New waste trucks, an improved timetable and additional services will allow Ipswich City Council to keep up with the waste needs of the city's growing population.
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said council is committed to investigating and implementing innovative waste and recycling services that meet the needs of a growing city.
“Despite tight labour markets, supply chain shortages and impacts of COVID-19, council has taken significant steps to minimise the impacts on the services it delivers to residents,” Mayor Harding said.
“As Queensland’s fastest growing city, there are, on average, 135 new household wheelie bins put out every week for collection and up to 30,000 waste services are scheduled each day in Ipswich.
“As this growth does not occur evenly across our divisions, council is reviewing the days of service for major growth areas to even out the peaks to ensure our services continue to meet the expectations of our growing city.
“Council recently announced 28 new side-arm waste trucks have been ordered to service Ipswich’s rapidly growing city, to replace an ageing fleet and ensure an efficient collection service for residents.
“Four more rear-load trucks have also recently been ordered, 14 new side-arm trucks are now in service, and all existing vehicles are being retained for the time being to maximise fleet capacity.
“Ipswich’s waste service drivers are a welcome sight on bin day in the community, and despite these significant and external challenges, council has maintained all weekly services.
“As it can take up to three months to train a specialised waste vehicle driver, council constantly recruits new drivers to mitigate the impacts of a tight labour market.
“Council prioritises collecting all red bins on their scheduled day of service, and, while some collections of yellow top bins have been delayed for 24 to 48 hours, recycling bins have still been collected during their scheduled collection week.”
Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said the best way for residents to keep across any bin collection delays is through its Bin App notifications.
“Residents can find out when their bins are scheduled for servicing by checking the Bin Collection Calendar on Ipswich City Council’s website or on the Bin App,” Cr Tully said.
“Planning and implementing strategies for waste management and resource recovery is a priority of council as our city takes strides towards a circular economy.
“Over the coming years council intends to provide a Food Organic Garden Organics (FOGO) bin for all eligible residents, optimise Ipswich’s co-mingled recycling service as well as invest in fit-for-purpose waste infrastructure that meets the needs of our growing city.”
Ipswich City Council is implementing its new Resource Recovery Strategy, which sets out the city’s waste management and resource recovery strategy for the next decade.
Ipswich Waste Services is a commercial business unit wholly owned and operated by Ipswich City Council that has been providing local jobs and servicing local businesses and community.
For more on Ipswich Waste Services visit www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/live/waste-and-recycling/household-general-waste-collection