Garbage trucks transformed into moving billboards

Council’s waste truck fleet of 11 general waste trucks and four recycling trucks have been transformed into moving tourism billboards.

They contain the slogan “Discover Mackay”, with images of Mackay’s beautiful natural environments and family-friendly facilities on offer.

There are images of Eungella National Park, Platypus Beach, Cape Hillsborough and Finch Hatton Gorge and well-known attractions like the Slade Point Water Tower, Sarina Sugar Shed, Artspace Mackay, Bluewater Lagoon and Sugar Bowl Mackay.

There is also a reminder to recycle right on the recycling trucks.

It reminds residents to only recycle paper, magazines and cardboard, aluminium, cans and aerosols, glass bottles and jars, milk and juice cartons and plastics numbered 1 to 6.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the waste trucks provided great advertising exposure.

“Our trucks are on the road every day, travelling as far up as Midge Point and south of Koumala,” Cr Williamson said.

“You can’t miss them – they are huge in size and the large-scale ‘Discover Mackay’ artwork will entice residents and visitors to explore our great region.”

Cr Williamson said this campaign was also cost-effective and tied in with the scheduled update of the waste trucks after four years of operation.

“After four years you need to recover the trucks,” he said.

“Rather than painting them plain or with generic messaging we are covering them in eye-catching tourism advertisements for the same price.”

“Local printing company Norsigns was awarded the contract and it’s costing us about $800 for each truck for four years.”

Mackay Tourism deputy chair Garry Porter said this was a great campaign to help boost the region’s tourism industry.

“COVID has thrown us many challenges and this campaign is a positive step forward for the Mackay tourism industry,” Mr Porter said.

“With Queenslanders now permitted to travel intra-state, these trucks will inspire our fellow Australians to stay a little longer and experience all that the beautiful Mackay region has to offer.”

All of council’s waste and recycling trucks will be covered with the “Discover Mackay” advertising by the end of next month.

Council will also be creating an album on its Facebook page, so everyone can see the 15 different “Discover Mackay” waste trucks.