Local government fleets often represent one of the largest capital investments within an organisation, encompassing a wide range of assets from specialised yellow plant to heavy commercial vehicles. However, without effective utilisation and performance monitoring, these assets can quickly become a financial burden.
Underutilised vehicles and equipment not only tie up valuable capital but also drive inflated operational costs through unnecessary maintenance, storage and administrative overheads – placing significant strain on budgets and service delivery.
With modern fleet tracking, local governments across Australia are uncovering inefficiencies once hidden in plain sight – unlocking cost savings, improving safety and delivering measurable environmental benefits.
As an authorised Geotab reseller and trusted Australian service provider, Geosecure delivers these benefits using the world’s most scalable telematics platform – tailored specifically for councils and government fleets.
Telematics for local government has evolved well beyond GPS. By capturing second-by-second data on idle time, harsh braking, route detours and emissions, councils gain instant insight into how their fleet operates – and how it could operate better.
Understanding council fleet challenges
Travis Weir, ex-Fleet Manager and now National Fleet Consultant at Geosecure, works closely with local governments across Australia and sees the unique pressures they face.
“These fleets are the backbone of essential community services – from waste collection and parks maintenance to public works – but they must operate within strict budget, compliance and environmental frameworks,” Weir said.
“In my time as a Fleet Manager, I saw how quickly costs escalate when assets are not used to their full potential, or when compliance reporting becomes reactive instead of proactive. The breakthrough comes when councils have accurate, real-time data – that is when they can plan ahead, cut waste and make decisions that improve service delivery.”
Many councils struggle with inefficient asset utilisation – a mower might sit idle for weeks while another department hires equipment. Rising fuel, maintenance and insurance costs add pressure to tight budgets.
Disconnected systems mean staff spend hours compiling reports for audits instead of acting on insights. Sustainability targets add urgency – councils must cut emissions while balancing operational needs, electric vehicle (EV) readiness and budgets. Without accurate utilisation and lifecycle data, assets may be replaced too soon or run far beyond optimal service life.
Geosecure helps councils address these inefficiencies, improve utilisation, enhance safety and compliance and support sustainable, cost-effective operations.
Safety, compliance and sustainability in one
Safety is a major driver for adoption. With driver fatigue monitoring, IVMS for councils and in-vehicle alerts for speeding or seatbelt use, risky behaviours can be addressed before they lead to incidents. AI-enabled dash cams add another layer – capturing near-miss events and providing coaching opportunities that prevent accidents and protect staff.
Sustainability is equally important. With net zero deadlines approaching, telematics provides data on carbon dioxide per trip, idle time reduction, route optimisation and fleet emissions tracking – all feeding into climate action reporting. Councils can track progress and make data-driven decisions that meet environmental commitments and improve efficiency.
Data-driven decisions for the future
Cloud-based platforms now provide a central portal for compliance reporting, maintenance schedules, fuel tax credit tracking and asset histories – cutting paper-based admin and freeing staff to focus on community services.
Telematics also plays a vital role in the EV transition. By analysing vehicle usage patterns and total cost of ownership, councils can identify which assets are EV-ready, then monitor charging, range and carbon savings post-deployment. For states like Victoria, ACT and WA, where fleet decarbonisation targets stretch to 2030 and beyond, these insights turn plans into proven business cases.
Why Geosecure?
Geosecure understands the unique needs of local government. With Australian-based support, seamless integration with platforms like Geotab, certified compliance and scalability across mixed-asset fleets – from utes and trucks to mowers and trailers – Geosecure makes smarter, safer, greener operations possible without complexity or risk.
Whether you are just starting your fleet tracking journey or ready to expand into deeper safety and sustainability outcomes, a data-driven approach can transform operations – and reveal opportunities you may never have known existed.
To find out more, visit geosecure.com.au
