Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) won two awards at this year’s Territory Tidy Towns Awards. They were the ‘Dame Phyllis Frost’ Litter Control and Prevention Award won by Anmatjere (Ti Tree) and the Water Conservation Innovation Award won by Yuelamu. These awards are Territory winners in their categories. Engawala also received a Litter Management commendation.

The awards were held online this year due to COVID-19.

Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) have purchased five new garbage trucks.

One of the 8 tonne trucks is here already, and will head out to Atitjere. Kyle Dunn, Shane White and Warren Kenney from Atitjere had an orientation for the truck on Wednesday 25 November at the CDRC depot before it went out.

Simon Cameron, the general manager in the NT of CJD Equipment who supplied the trucks, was on hand to explain the details. “The next one will be delivered next week, and the others are being fitted out now and should all be here before Christmas,” he said.

One of the biggest benefits to the workers like Shane and Kyle is that the trucks have a hydraulic extraction mechanism. This means no more raking rubbish out the back of the truck – it can be done with a push of a button.

Main photo: Simon Cameron shows Kyle Dunn and Shane White the ropes while Warren Kenney looks on.

Shane White has a go at emptying a bin.

Kyle Dunn, Matthew Wharton, Shane Coleman, Warren Kenney and Shane White watch as the truck empties itself of a load of rubbish.