Townsville City Council has been named a finalist in the 2026 Fleet News Group Safe Fleet Award after impressing judges with its use of fleet data, behavioural reporting and technology to improve safety across a large and diverse council fleet.
The council manages approximately 1,000 GPS-tracked assets ranging from passenger vehicles and trucks to refuse vehicles, construction plant, mowers and specialist equipment.
The Safe Fleet Award recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in managing fleet risk through leadership, driver engagement, technology, systems and measurable continuous improvement.
Judges described Townsville City Council’s approach as well-rounded and evidence-based, with the fleet team demonstrating how operational data can be used to identify leading indicators and intervene before unsafe behaviour becomes an incident.
Of particular interest to the judges was the council’s journey in introducing GPS and driver behaviour reporting across the organisation.
Rather than simply installing telematics and using it as an enforcement tool, Fleet Services worked through employee concerns and developed monthly scorecards covering speeding, harsh braking, harsh acceleration and other behaviours.
Judges noted that this had contributed to an important cultural shift, with the reporting increasingly accepted by drivers, supervisors and business units as a tool for improvement.
“The cultural change achieved around driver behaviour reporting was particularly impressive,” the judging panel noted. “The council has combined operational data, targeted technology and engagement across the business to produce measurable safety improvements.”
The judges also highlighted the council’s use of real-time speeding alerts, driver training triggered by telematics data and AI pedestrian detection technology on refuse vehicles.
Incident investigations have been used to identify opportunities for additional controls, including expanding pedestrian detection into vehicle blind spots and incorporating other safety features into new fleet acquisitions.
Council data presented during the finalist process showed a 48 per cent reduction in speeding events between March 2025 and May 2026 — equivalent to around 12,500 fewer events each month. Vehicle incidents also fell from 242 in FY2024/25 to 189 in FY2025/26, while associated repair costs reduced from approximately $326,000 to $203,000.
Fleet News Group Managing Editor Marc Sibbald said the finalists represented the quality of work being done by fleet teams across Australia.
“We’re extremely excited to have reached the industry voting stage in the inaugural year of the Fleet News Group Awards,” Sibbald said.
“I was humbled by how many people from the fleet community put their organisations and their teams forward because they wanted to be involved and recognised by their peers.
“The shortlist that progressed to the interview stage was incredibly strong. There were some fantastic examples of mature fleet management practices and people who are genuinely passionate about improving their organisations.”
Sibbald thanked the judging panel for the substantial commitment required to interview nominees and assess the finalists.
“Our judges gave their time and brought their own fleet management experience to the process. I want to thank them for the commitment they made to selecting quality finalists whose work deserves to be shared with the industry and recognised.”
He also acknowledged the contribution of the Fleet News Group Awards sponsors.
“We’re also very grateful to our sponsors for supporting the program and for their willingness to recognise excellence in fleet management. Their support allows us to shine a light on organisations and fleet teams that are doing exceptional work, often behind the scenes.”
Townsville City Council will now progress to the industry voting stage of the Fleet News Group Awards.
The winner of the Safe Fleet Award will be announced at the Fleet News Group Awards Night in Sydney on 14 October.
