Regional and remote communities across NSW are set to benefit from a new fleet of tougher, more versatile Service NSW Mobile Service Centres, bringing essential government services directly to towns that can struggle with access.

While Lismore is home to a permanent Service NSW centre, for residents in smaller surrounding towns and more remote areas, getting into town isn’t always easy. For those communities, the Mobile Service Centre can make a significant difference, saving long travel times and ensuring people can access critical services closer to home.

Four new four-wheel-drive vehicles will replace the existing Mobile Service Centres, which have reached the end of their working life after travelling more than one million kilometres and assisting more than 70,000 people.

The upgraded fleet will feature “branch in a box” technology — a portable customer service terminal that can be removed from the vehicle and operate independently. This added flexibility means services can continue even if the vehicle cannot access a particular site.

The four-wheel-drive capability also ensures the Mobile Service Centres can be quickly deployed during natural disasters, where staff play a key role in helping communities access financial support grants and recovery assistance.

Communities can complete more than 1,300 NSW Government transactions through the service, including vehicle and driver services, Seniors Card applications, Working With Children Checks and cost-of-living support.

The vehicles operate on established nine-week circuits, visiting more than 148 regional and remote communities across NSW.

In the coming weeks, the Mobile Service Centre will visit:

• Tuesday 10 March, 10am–3pm – Woodenbong Community Hall, Umungar Street

• Wednesday 11 March, 10am–3pm – Mallanganee Memorial Park, 110 Sandilands Way

• Thursday 12 March, 10am–3pm – Drake Village, Woodward Park (corner of Alison Street and Bruxner Highway)

• Wednesday 18 March, 9am–3pm – Kyogle, 6–8 Stratheden Street

The fleet also includes the “Kangaroo Bus”, which visits more than 40 Aboriginal communities and includes Aboriginal Outreach officers from Revenue NSW, NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages, as well as a business specialist from the Business Bureau to provide tailored support.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said the mobile centres play a critical role in ensuring access to services statewide.

“Mobile Service Centres play a critical role in making sure people in regional and remote communities can access essential services without having to travel out of their local area,” he said.

“This tough new fleet of vehicles with ‘branch in a box’ technology will help ensure greater flexibility of service in more remote areas.

“Rain, hail or shine the Mobile Service Centres will be out on the road ensuring everyone in the state has access to the services they need.”

For upcoming visit dates and locations, residents can check the Service NSW website.