Oral Presentation Public Works Conference 2022

Council has undertaken a radical transformative approach to redefine its fleet. A whole fleet strategy was reinvented to suit key organisational outcomes and has amassed positive changes in a short period of time.

The last 7 months has shifted Councils fleet considerably into an innovative space. Council’s focus was to consolidate the fleet for more effective utilisation and introduce electric and hybrid vehicles to reduced carbon emissions.

To align with operational strategy; ‘Act and Adapt’, Council will be carbon neutral by 2028. Council has developed a new Fleet strategy to redefine fleet management planning and to incorporate several new methods in managing EV transitions.

Over the last 6 months Council has successfully been able to transition the following;

1. Pool car consolidation – reduced assets, reduced carbon emissions
2. Vehicle selection – only sustainable assets assigned
3. Reduced whole of life costs – reduced operational costs based sustainable assets
4. Reduced fleet size – by introduction of Novated Leasing, it reduces private fleet assets.
5. Reduced financial compliance costs – reduced fleet = reduced fringe benefit tax
6. Reduce emissions – with sustainable assets = reduced Co2 impacts
7. Reduced costs – based on lease vs buy framework. In reduced costs saved over life

The impacts across our fleet reinvention process was positive. The roll out process was met with support and cooperation from departments, given the overall Council strategy was emissions focused.

The shift in fleet options, lifecycle and sustainable initiatives described are ultimately to benefit the organisation and the community.

Such positive changes included;

1. Reduced emissions for strategic alignment
2. Health and well-being of staff by way of vehicle selection, Myki cards and e-bikes
3. Fit for purpose assets were informatively identified considering the service and operation, with an in depth evaluation to ensure it is the right option.
4. Reduced costs and financial impacts were noted. Such savings could be introduced via reduced fleet size, reduction in Fringe Benefits Tax, operating costs, and lease vs buy framework.

A defined fleet strategy and plan is now in place for future management.