Leeton Shire Council
Leeton Shire Council is a regional local government authority in New South Wales responsible for a range of community services, including waste management. A core part of their operations is the Leeton Landfill & Recycling Centre, which services a high volume of heavy vehicle traffic. Recognising the growing complexity of compliance requirements under the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Chain of Responsibility (CoR) framework, the council identified a need to improve how they manage overloaded vehicle events and meet their obligations under Mass Management regulations.
Challenge
Leeton Shire Council was facing challenges in ensuring compliance with NHVR Mass Management requirements, particularly for vehicles entering and exiting the Leeton Landfill & Recycling Centre. There were no formal procedures in place for managing overloaded vehicle events, and the council lacked a structured approach to collecting and verifying Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) data. Additionally, staff had limited training on CoR responsibilities, and the Mandalay system used to manage weighbridge data was not configured to support these compliance needs. These gaps left the council exposed to risk and limited its ability to enforce safety standards effectively.
What We Did
To address these issues, a tailored, end-to-end solution was developed and delivered. The first step involved creating a comprehensive policy document that clearly outlined Leeton Shire Council’s obligations under the Chain of Responsibility, with a specific focus on how to handle and prevent overloaded vehicle incidents at the landfill site. The policy detailed the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved and provided a framework for consistent and compliant decision-making.
To support the rollout of this policy, a remote training session was delivered to staff. The session covered the fundamentals of CoR and the specifics of the new procedure, helping staff understand their legal responsibilities and operational requirements. This session was recorded, ensuring that new team members or those needing a refresher could access the material at any time.
A significant component of the solution involved configuring the Mandalay weighbridge system to align with NHVR compliance standards. Emails were sent to council clients to collect GVM data for all heavy vehicles and trailers visiting the site. This data was then uploaded into the Mandalay system. Where specific GVM information was not available, a generic vehicle configuration was established to ensure consistent handling of vehicle records. All configurations were updated to reflect compliance standards, allowing the council to proactively manage vehicle weights and prevent overloads.
Outcomes
Leeton Shire Council now operates with a clearly defined, NHVR-compliant approach to managing heavy vehicle traffic at the Leeton Landfill & Recycling Centre. The new policy document has provided the foundation for staff and stakeholders to act with confidence and consistency when addressing vehicle compliance issues. The recorded training session ensures that all staff, including new hires, have access to high-quality, relevant CoR training.
System updates within Mandalay have significantly improved data accuracy and vehicle tracking. By inputting GVM data and establishing standard configurations, Leeton Shire Council is now able to identify and manage overloaded vehicles more effectively. These improvements not only enhance safety and compliance but also demonstrate the council’s proactive commitment to responsible waste management operations.
Conclusion
This project has enabled Leeton Shire Council to take a proactive and structured approach to Chain of Responsibility compliance, particularly in managing vehicle mass at the Leeton Landfill & Recycling Centre. By combining policy development, targeted staff training, and system updates within Mandalay, the council now has the tools and processes in place to monitor and manage heavy vehicle safety effectively. These improvements not only ensure regulatory compliance but also strengthen Leeton Shire Council’s commitment to operational safety, accountability, and best practice in waste management.