Almost 5,700 old tyres have been saved from landfill and recycled as part of a Fraser Coast Regional Council bitumen resealing program that’s aimed at making local roads safer while also contributing to creating a circular economy for waste.
Infrastructure projects – including the use of recycled content in roads – that divert problem waste streams, including tyres and glass, from landfill are critical in guiding Queensland to a zero-waste future.
The bitumen reseal involves spraying a thin layer of bitumen over an existing road surface to protect the old pavement from weather damage. In the 2019/20 financial year, a crumb rubber bitumen of approximately 362,000 litres was applied to roads in 54 locations throughout Hervey Bay, Maryborough and rural areas of the Fraser Coast region – a great result for the environment, motorists and our roads.
Council has allocated $7 million in the 2020/21 financial year for resurfacing roads, along with more than $40 million to ensure a resilient regional infrastructure of roads, bridges and drainage.
Councillor Phil Truscott said Council was committed to maintaining and improving local roads, with bitumen resealing an important part of the annual maintenance program.
“For our reseal program, we use a bitumen that is blended with crumb rubber produced from old tyres. It is more durable and less prone to cracking.
“Generally, a reseal will extend the life of a road by eight to 14 years, depending on the type and number of vehicles on the road. A reseal provides a new surface texture which increases skid resistance for vehicles and makes our roads safer.
“It’s all part of Council’s plan to build better communities and keep the Fraser Coast moving.”