Etherridge Shire Council's Cat fleet increases twofold
6/3/10
The Gulf Savannah region in north
Queensland is an exciting and vibrant area of investment growth and economic
opportunity, and a unique tourist destination in its own right. Located
within the Gulf Savannah region is Etheridge Shire covering over 40,000
square kilometres from the Great Dividing Range in the east to Gregory
Range in the west.
Comprising the five communities
of Georgetown, Forsayth, Mount Surprise, Einasleigh and Oak Park, the administration
centre for Etheridge Shire Council is Georgetown, a country town with an
abundance of historic remnants from pioneer times. With an approximate
population of 1000, the shire’s main industries are pastoralism, mining
and services, particularly those related to tourism which is the shire’s
most rapidly growing industry.
Etheridge Shire Council recently
took delivery of three 140M motor graders and five
ex-rental rollers from Hastings
Deering Mount Isa, taking the council’s total fleet of Caterpillar machines
to fifteen. The three new graders were purchased after a rigorous
tender process whereby tender results were entered into a purchase matrix
which took into consideration company backup service, fuel usage, availability
of parts, residual value and whole of life cost. Caterpillar won out on
a weighted score as the best deal for the shire.
The five rollers were purchased
under The Cat Rental Store’s rent to purchase option after the council
had had operated the machines under a 12 month rental agreement. Rent
to purchase is a great option for customers who are not in the position
to purchase a machine immediately. The rental option allows customers
to prepare and arrange for the eventual purchase of the equipment after
12 months, or less if preferred.
On delivering the machines to the
council, Hastings Deering provided operator demonstrator training to employees
utilising the M Series simulator. Plant Operations Manager Greg Curtis
said the simulator was a great concept which gave the council operators
a lot of confidence before starting up the real machine.
“It didn’t take them long to
adjust,” said Greg, “I think the younger guys found it easier with their
skills using playstations and the like, but they all picked it up quite
well.”
Greg said Grant Samson (Hastings
Deering Mount Isa Sales Representative) worked very hard to ensure the
needs of the council were met.
“Hastings was honest and informative
throughout the tender process,” said Greg, “Grant was willing to supply
any information that we required and the delivery was handled professionally.”
With a combined state and local
road network of approximately 3000 kilometres, the council’s machine fleet
is kept very busy with new bitumen roads, bridge work and road maintenance.
The new rollers and graders are a welcome addition to the council
fleet and with the support of Hastings Deering are set to play a significant
role in the development of the Gulf Savannah region.
Etheridge Shire Council CEO Mr
Les Edmistone stated the purchase of the three new 140M Graders was the
first step to increasing the council’s capacity in the delivery of major
road maintenance and construction projects aimed at increasing our revenue
base potential.
Etheridge Shire Council has invested
over three million dollars in 2009 to build capacity within our heavy plant
fleet in addition to scheduled plant replacement programs. Etheridge Shire
Council also invested in the purchase of two new Kenworth Road train side
tippers and an Ausroads road maintenance unit as part of this initiative.
Mr Edmistone stated this is an
exciting time as the council had recently received a commendation for innovation
in projects for process, production and cost from the Institute of Public
Works Engineering Australia Queensland which is testimony to the dedication
and commitment of their award winning workforce and a credit to the vision
and support of the Elected Members of the Etheridge Shire Council.
Etheridge Shire Council's Cat fleet increases twofold