Modernising Waste Management in Regional NSW

Overview

Edward River Council (ERC) manages four waste facilities — three transfer stations and a landfill —in regional New South Wales. In seeking a more efficient and consistent approach to data capture and reporting, ERC partnered with PIVOT Systems to roll out a purpose-built waste facility management system. The solution has delivered improved visibility across all sites, streamlined reporting, and supported operational efficiency, particularly at remote locations.

Background

ERC provides waste services to communities across a broad geographic area in the Riverina region. Prior to implementing PIVOT, the Council used a combination of Square POS and paper-based processes at remote locations. While these systems supported day-to-day operations, they required additional manual effort to compile and standardise data for internal reporting and regulatory compliance.

Recognising the opportunity to modernise and consolidate its systems, ERC identified the need for a platform tailored specifically to waste facility operations — one that could operate effectively across all of their facilities.

The Challenge

Although existing tools enabled the delivery of core services, they were not specifically designed for the waste sector. Generating consistent, site-wide reports often required manual reconciliation, and there was limited real-time visibility of stockpile movements and customer activity.

The key challenges ERC aimed to address included:

• Variability in data collection methods between sites,
• Manual work required to prepare and reconcile reports,
• Lack of integration between transaction data and operational records,
• Need for a scalable system that would work across both large and small facilities.

The Solution

Pivot Systems worked closely with ERC to implement its waste facility management platform across all four sites. The system is specifically designed for waste operations and has been optimised for remote and regional use, providing a consistent and streamlined experience for staff.

Key features and benefits included:

• A BYO device model, allowing flexible on-site access without the need for specialised hardware,
• An all-in-one subscription model, offering cost transparency and budget certainty,
• In-person training delivered to ERC staff to ensure a smooth transition and system uptake,
• A self-managed reporting suite, enabling Council officers to generate accurate reports in real time without manual collation.

Implementation Success

ERC staff quickly adapted to the system, noting its ease of use and the benefits of consistent workflows across all facilities. The platform has significantly reduced administrative workload, improved the accuracy of recorded data, and given Council greater oversight of operations across all sites.

Importantly, the reporting tools have allowed ERC to move away from spreadsheet-based reconciliation and instead produce clear, reliable reports directly from the system — improving both internal processes and external reporting capability.

Looking Ahead

With a robust digital foundation now in place, ERC is well positioned to continue strengthening its waste operations. The system’s flexibility and scalability offer further opportunities for enhancement, including automation of billing and broader integration across service areas.

"Working with Pivot has been straightforward — the system fits our needs, the training was hands-on, and our team has taken to it really well. It’s made a real difference in how we manage our waste facilities." - Brad Knight - Supervisor Resource and Recovery

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