Mackay Regional Council is reducing vehicles, trialling electric equipment and changing how maintenance crews are deployed as part of a broader effort to contain rising operating costs.
From robotic mowers and park maintenance blitzes to electric vehicles and LED streetlights, the council says a suite of operational and energy-efficiency measures is already delivering significant savings.
The initiatives are designed to put downward pressure on future rate rises while allowing Mackay Regional Council to continue delivering essential community services across the region.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the council had acted decisively to manage rising costs, particularly fuel and electricity.
“Like every household and business, council has been hit hard by cost increases over the past year,” Mayor Williamson said.
He said Mackay Regional Council had responded with a stronger focus on efficiency, innovation and smarter deployment of its vehicles, equipment and employees.
Fuel increase prompts fleet changes
Fuel costs have been a significant challenge for the council, particularly across its heavy vehicle operations.
Mayor Williamson said a comparison of two similar operating weeks before and after the Iran conflict showed a $60,000 increase in heavy vehicle fuel costs.
“That’s the equivalent of an extra $3 million a year and we simply cannot absorb impacts like that without changing the way we operate,” he said.
In response, Mackay Regional Council has removed 13 underused light vehicles from its fleet, consolidated some outdoor teams and changed how operational resources are deployed.
The reduction highlights the value of regularly reviewing vehicle utilisation, particularly when fuel, maintenance and replacement costs are increasing.
Removing underused vehicles can reduce fuel consumption, registration, insurance, servicing and depreciation costs without necessarily reducing service levels.
Maintenance blitzes reduce vehicle movements
Mackay Regional Council has also introduced more concentrated maintenance “blitzes”, bringing multiple crews together to complete work at priority locations.
The council has used the approach at high-profile areas including the Sarina Field of Dreams and the Botanic Gardens.
“Part of this is using more targeted maintenance approaches, such as concentrated ‘blitzes’ where multiple crews combine to overhaul high-visibility, priority areas,” Mayor Williamson said.
“This lets us complete a job much quicker and results in a lot less travel to and from job sites.”
For fleet operations, reducing repeated trips can lower fuel consumption, vehicle kilometres, travel time and equipment transport costs.
The model also shows how operational planning can influence fleet costs. Savings do not always require new vehicles or technology; they can also come from changing how and when existing resources are used.
Electric vehicles deliver lower running costs
Mackay Regional Council has trialled four electric vehicles and found they were significantly cheaper to operate than traditional vehicles.
According to the council, running costs were approximately one-quarter of those for conventional vehicles.
The four vehicles are collectively saving more than $3,000 a year in fuel costs, before the potential benefits of lower servicing and maintenance requirements are included.
Mayor Williamson said higher upfront purchase prices remained a consideration, but the long-term savings were compelling and were expected to improve as electric vehicle prices declined.
The trial reinforces the importance of comparing vehicles on a whole-of-life cost basis rather than relying on purchase price alone.
For councils, the financial outcome will also depend on vehicle utilisation, charging arrangements, electricity tariffs, replacement cycles and whether the vehicle is suited to its operational task.
Robotic mowers join equipment trial
The council is also trialling electric alternatives to petrol-powered equipment, including robotic mowers and battery-powered tools.
Robotic mowers have been deployed in the Mackay Civic Precinct, where they are being used to maintain grassed areas.
“The robotic mower trial is projected to save about $85,000 over 10 years,” Mayor Williamson said. “We’ve got them deployed in the Civic Precinct at the moment and they are doing a great job of keeping the grass looking neat and tidy.”
Battery-powered equipment can also provide benefits beyond fuel savings. It is generally quieter than petrol-powered equipment, which can make it suitable for public areas where maintenance is undertaken close to residents, council employees and visitors.
LED streetlights reduce energy consumption
Energy efficiency is another major focus for Mackay Regional Council. Ongoing upgrades to lighting, building systems and electrical infrastructure are reducing electricity use across council facilities.
LED streetlighting upgrades alone reduced energy consumption by approximately 25 per cent between 2023 and 2026.
The council has also completed a comprehensive review of electricity tariffs across its facilities.
Changes introduced in August 2025 delivered more than $51,000 in savings over the following eight months.
“These are real, bankable savings,” Mayor Williamson said. “We’re making sure every facility is on the most cost-effective tariff and we’re now assessing further opportunities for the next financial year.”
Facility reviews identify further savings
Detailed energy-efficiency studies at major Mackay Regional Council operational sites have identified $117,000 in potential annual savings across the first three facilities reviewed.
The opportunities include practical measures such as optimising heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, improving insulation, upgrading equipment and reducing energy losses.
Some of the improvements are already being implemented.
Jubilee Community Centre has been fitted with a more energy-efficient chiller, while the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre has received air curtains to reduce power consumption during peak periods.
Landfill technology cuts disposal requirements
Mackay Regional Council has also introduced BeneVap vaporisation technology at the Hogan’s Pocket Landfill site.
The system condenses liquid naturally produced at the landfill to approximately one-eighth of its original volume.
Reducing the volume lowers the amount that must be transported offsite for disposal, helping to reduce operating costs while supporting the long-term environmental sustainability of the facility.
Efficiency becomes a whole-of-council priority
The measures show that Mackay Regional Council’s cost-reduction program extends beyond a single department.
Fleet utilisation, crew deployment, electric vehicles, grounds-maintenance equipment, streetlighting, electricity contracts and facility management are all being reviewed as part of the same efficiency objective.
For fleet and asset managers, the program also demonstrates how operational decisions are connected. Vehicle costs can be influenced by workforce planning, maintenance scheduling, site selection, energy procurement and the way community services are delivered.
Mayor Williamson said the council’s objective was to maintain service delivery while limiting the impact of rising costs on the community.
“Our goal is simple – to keep downward pressure on future rate rises while continuing to deliver the services our community expects,” he said.
“We’re tackling cost pressures head-on and the savings we’re achieving today will help protect our community from sharper increases tomorrow.”
