General News
16 December, 2025
New waste contract
A NEW kerbside waste and recycling collection contract for about 74,000 properties across the Cairns Regional Council area has been awarded to Cleanaway following a competitive public tender process.
The new contract, which remains subject to final negotiations and is believed to be worth more than $90 million, will be for seven years and seven months.
A council spokeswoman said there was also a further extension option of no less than six months and no more than three years at council’s discretion.
“Cleanaway will take over the service from the incumbent (J J Richards) at the conclusion of their current contract in December 2026,” she said.
“The timing allows for the new supplier to procure resources, such as waste collection vehicles, for the contract and establish to their operations.
“The tender was initiated in accordance with usual local government competitive tending principles as the existing contract was coming to an end.”
Details of the deal were considered during a closed session at the end of the council’s ordinary meeting late last month.
JJ Richards had been collecting bins for more than a decade.
