Challenge's recycling depot has been operating since 1992 and employs 33 people with a disability

But it was revealed last year Cleanaway, which contracts Challenge to help deal with the recycling program, had only reached fresh terms with TRC in regards to garbage pick up and disposal.

The current contract runs out on July 1, which is leaving many workers concerned about their future not just at the depot, but in the workforce in general.

A mother of one of the employees, Janelle Horn, said it has been a distressing time for the workers and those around them.

"None of the parents or carers have been contacted to let anyone know what's going on with it all, and what work they are going to have if they do lose their jobs," she said.

Ms Horn is also concerned there isn't going to be enough work to go around, should they have to be reskilled.

However, Challenge CEO Peter Maher said the workers would be looked after and a role will be found for them. He is also yet to concede an agreement will not be reached with council.

READ ALSO:

"There's definitely no decisions that have been made, all I can say is there was talk around what was happening with the contract and that's still up in the air," he said.

"But I have given a guarantee to those staff that I will definitely have employment for them, we're looking right across the board and for some of them it's more than likely they will continue in recycling."

He also mentioned the organisation was looking at launching a variety of new programs across the region, and was hoping to have 500 people with disabilities employed in the region within three years.

Ms Horn said it's not just a case of putting them in new positions though, given the culture and bond they had built in their current roles.

"My son has been up there for about 26 years and they're like a big family up there because they've all been there for quite some time, and we don't know what's going to happen to them at the end of June," she said.

If no suitors are found by July 1, a clause in Cleanaway's contract will see it pick up the extra workload and take the recyclables to its facility.

Council said it would continue to seek an appropriate local processor to deal with the issue before the deadline.

"Negotiations regarding council's recyclable processing contract are ongoing and are commercial in confidence," a spokesperson said.

"We hope to reach an agreement soon. Council is and will continue to explore how we can work with Challenge in this space now and into the future."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: