It was a good news day yesterday for Lismore City Council. Thirty-five (35) new jobs will become available for young adults at Lismore City Council (LCC), and $5 million dollars for a new fleet of waste trucks has been allocated to LCC by the State Government and the United Services Union (USU).

At a press conference, Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg, State MP Janelle Saffin and two members of the USU, Graham Kelly, the general secretary and Stephen Hughes, the Northern Manager, made the announcements following funding that has been allocated for both projects.

Waste Service

There has been contention and division over the waste service in Lismore, leaving our city limits. Mayor Krieg was happy to deliver the news: “I'm really pleased to be able to stand here 12 months after a decision was made to potentially outsource waste to now, bringing it back in house with a brand new state-of-the-art fleet, the most modern, up-to-date fleet of Waste Services trucks across New South Wales.

“That saves the 20 jobs here in town. It gives opportunity to those who see a job with council in the future.”

Ms Saffin added, “It's a good day when we can stand here and hear Graham say that there'll be a new fleet of waste trucks, and it's a good day when we can say they will stay in public hands through the Council, and the jobs will be public jobs.”

“It just shows the strength and the power of the Union because they're about localism, they're about jobs. They're about keeping them in public hands, and that's how Graham and Steve and the team work, to make sure that we get the outcome to do that.”

New Jobs

Mayor Krieg said, “We want to keep local jobs and young people in town. Everyone says there's no employment prospects. Well, here are 35 trade qualified opportunities for our young people to be able to stay in town and build a career in the city that we all love.”

A wide range of jobs in engineering, outdoors, mechanics, accounting, business and technology will be offered. The positions will be apprenticeships, cadetships and traineeships to allow people to earn while they learn.

The USU lobbied the state government and was awarded $253 million to assist local councils state-wide to employ young adults.

“That's an additional 15% to every Council's workforce across the state of New South Wales, with a total program of 7,500 apprentices, trainees and cadets,” said Mr Kelly

“40 years ago, county councils were the biggest providers of apprenticeships and traineeships in communities. We've seen corporatisation, rationalisation and privatisation whittle away at that, and most don't do it today,” added Mr Hughes.

“Our Union's been successful in working with councils like Lismore and your local member, Janelle Saffin, and this government to turn things around, to get them back to where they were and see local government be responsible employers to give young people the opportunity to have good careers in their local community.”

Mayor Krieg speaks about the need for a succession plan at the council, as many of the people there are getting closer to retirement. Pointing out the opportunity to work at council, “People can make a really solid career in local government. 

“You don't have to stay as a diesel mechanic for 45 years. There are opportunities to progress. Council trains our people along the journey - it's a great starting point.”

Mr Hughes also talks about the benefits of a traineeship through the USU, “We negotiate a state award every three years. You know what your pay increases are going to be three years in advance. 

“Generally, we have long service leave after five years, the long service leave is well in excess of the long service leave act, and you can cash in excess long service leave, say, for example, if you needed the money for a deposit to get your first home loan. We've got salary ranges and career paths.”

Janelle Saffin is pleased with this outcome: “This is about our future, and it's the future of not only Lismore but regional and rural towns and cities because it's about having the workforce that's fit for purpose and ready for the needs of the future.

“I'll be backing what Graham Kelly said, trying to make sure that it's enshrined in the Local Government Act and that it increases because the demand is there, the needs there, and we all want jobs in our local areas.”

Keep an eye out on the Lismore City Councils career pages for work opportunities.