Council yet to announce new waste processing contract, but Challenge promises workers will stay on

A tender is yet to be awarded for the processing of waste, despite the current contract running out on July 1.

For the past 12 years, Cleanaway has dealt with processing and then sub-contracted local disability workforce group Challenge to deal with the recycling at their depot.

A new, seven year deal to take care of kerbside collection was agreed between Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) and Cleanaway, but a tender is yet to be awarded for processing.

Challenge has made offers to pick up the tender, but its proposal was knocked back after council deemed it "wasn't suitable".

For the 33 people that work at the Challenge recycling depot, the future is cloudy, although CEO Peter Maher has confirmed there will still be roles for them with or without the new contract.

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Unfortunately, those who have been working extra hours to help deal with the contents of yellow bins have reportedly been told their hours could be cut, and some may be required to do some work at other Challenge sites.

Mr Maher has committed to making sure all workers still have opportunities within the workforce, and is looking to broaden Challenge's scope in coming years.

However, TRC water and waste director, Bruce Logan, said the contract could yet land with the disability group.

"We may go back to Challenge, but at the moment we're not talking to them anymore about the recyclables," he said.

For now, Cleanaway will deliver the town's recyclables to council, which will then transport them to a disposal site.

Despite the contract running out, TRC is not placing a deadline on when an agreement for the processing tender must be reached, although Mr Logan said he is hoping it will be soon.

"I'd like it to be as soon as possible, because obviously it costs us money to do this and we need to have a permanent arrangement, but that's going to be a matter of what's available and what suits us," he said.

Meanwhile, as part of the new kerbside collection deal, Cleanaway revealed its brand new fleet of 10 new garbage trucks, which total more than $4 million.

The massive vehicles, which will be receive maintenance from Double R Equipment and tyres from Peel Valley Tyres - both Tamworth businesses - will be used throughout the duration of the seven year contract.

"We've got a fleet of nine-year side loaders and a new hook truck to service the waste requirements of the community," Cleanaway area manager Jade Maric said.

"The new trucks enable us to deliver reliability to the residents of Tamworth council."

Mayor Col Murray said he was excited the help unveil the new fleet, and was confident council had made the right decision for the collection contract.

"Council is very pleased to have reached terms with Cleanaway, they have provided great service to the council for many years in the past and we look forward to a great corporate relationship for the next seven years and into the future," he said.

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