BYRON SHIRE’S new battery-powered workhorse is making a difference out on the streets.
If you’re up early, you might see the nifty new street sweeper being walked around our footpaths. The new addition is the latest recruit for Council’s open spaces crew.
Whilst most of are us tucked up in bed, this little beauty is working from 4am on town centre footpaths.
Open space and parks manager Michael Matthews said staff tackle the high traffic areas early in the morning and then move over into the parks during the day when footpaths get busy.
“It’s easy to operate being self-propelled and is the world’s ‘cleanest’ battery operated street sweeper, lasting four hours before it needs to be recharged.
“We tested a number of models and the key priorities included environmental credentials and the ability to pick up light and heavy waste such as leaves, glass, cigarette butts, paper, fine dust and sand.
“Our towns also have the added challenge of the many varying footpath finishes which can make it hard for the machine to catch the waste.
“Plus, the new street sweeper is relatively quiet, has an inbuilt dust filtration system and the light water spray stops dust plumes being emitted as it moves along the footpaths.
“And when we are finished in one town, we can simply put it on the trailer and take it to the next,” he said.
The street sweeper will also be adapted to recharge at the fast charging electric station when installed in Byron Bay town centre, plus the option of solar panels to charge while running.