Toowoomba Garbage

When I visited the Toowoomba region in 2012 I successfully captured the garbage, recycling and green waste bin services that were happening in the existing collections contract with JJ Richards. I was also stoked to film two different garbage trucks, initially getting one of the bigger 6x4 machines (unit 0534) and later on locating the baby side lift in the fleet. I’d been made aware of this truck’s existence in Toowoomba prior and as far as I know it was the only mini truck around. I recall being told it started a little earlier than the other domestic trucks around 5am and commenced collections in the CBD first thing, then apparently it would get around some of the outer lying areas like up in the hillier mountain spots. I guessed as much it would be one of those trucks that was going to be tricky to locate and follow, but as it happened, the truck came my way! I found myself having a look at where the Toowoomba waste management centre was located, and in the process, this one and only surprisingly shot right past me after tipping off. All it took was a short drive from the rural area of Cranley a little southbound into the straight residential streets of Wilsonton, where Toowoomba’s tiny 4416 would resume emptying 240L bins. Lucky for me the driver was also a cheery bloke and had no problem with me taking some videos, so that made for good results!
It's crazy to think the 10 year contract and the new JJRE ACCOs which took over from this truck and its fleet friends have already come to an end, now another location where JJ Richards has introduced their modern Volvos side loaders. Well, I’m happy to be able to share this action from when things were still cool and interesting over in Toowoomba! It’s an extremely rare sight to watch a lifter arm operating down the street which doesn’t have grabbers wrapping around bins to lift them off the ground... so be sure to appreciate what I have left to upload of these finger plate lifters. In addition, 4x2s are so rare even in regional cities nowadays, so enjoy the size of this truck, combined with the older Cummins note let off by this Iveco as it effortlessly jumps between pick-ups. I do wonder how many mini finger plate ACCO side loaders like this the company had roaming around QLD during the 2000s... it’s excellent I was able to document one anyway! I guess the 6x4 DAVs that were designed by JJR took over the former role of 4416, got doubts anymore single axles have worked over there since. Also looking back, I could’ve done a better job utilising the zoom function of the camera, so my apologies about the distant scene at times.

[@chrisshepherd6878]

I used to know 2 blokes that worked there,gav and merv.good ol days.

[@mattfitch3460]

They had 2 of these small ones.. little pocket rockets! 😀 Great footage!

[@AussieGarbo]

There were 2 you reckon, interesting! Were they complete twins, as in same age and signage? I did wonder what they would do for a spare if this truck I got was off the road, I imagine they needed a baby side loader for a reason, so no bigger truck could fill in for it...

[@user-hn5sh7qb8c]

Yeah both had the same age and signage. The other one like this was used for garbage and eventually became a spare truck for all 3 bins.. the other little truck's joystick kept loosening and falling off ha ha

[@PalmyGarbo]

I guess they didnt care about lid flipping back then haha

[@MegaDirtyHands]

So they did away with the old MRF & transfer station set up?

[@AussieGarbo]

JJR has a transfer station shed built at their latest depot which currently accepts kerbside recycling loads... there's a video on the TRC KZbin channel titled "How does a material recovery facility work?" and it gives a look at what happens. I believe JJR had a MRF operation of some kind at their former North St depot, not sure when that all stopped. I did read that Toowoomba is looking to build a brand new MRF in the area to process recycling from the wider region, as apparently everything is transported to south-east QLD at present. In the video description I was referring to the "former" council waste management centre, as I thought the landfill had reached capacity, but they only relocated the public drop off and resource recovery aspects of their site to a new facility at Wellcamp, the existing landfill at Cranley still functions today.

[@MegaDirtyHands]

@@AussieGarbo Thank you, the Toowoomba council has been quite on the ball compared to most. I knew you'd know of the old MRF etc site location, thanks to a good source of information.