Using recycled rubber from old car tyres has helped Corangamite Shire increase the life of many of its road to as much as 10 years and saved ratepayers money in the process.
More than 110 tonnes of recycled tyre rubber is now used each year as part of the Shire’s reconstruction works.
The Council maintains over 900 kilometres of local road network, with about 90 kilometres reconstructed every year.
Innovation and embracing new methods and technologies is part of the Shire’s commitment to continuous improvement.
In recent years contractors and the Council have been testing new and varying techniques for the use of geo fabrics in the hopes of extending the road lifespan.
Assets field officer Trevor Wills said that while these environmentally friendly resources had been around for a number of years the benefit to both the community and the environment continued to prove themselves.
“The rubber product, which is mixed on site, has extended the roads’ reconstruction lifespan to 10 years in many cases,” he said.
“There is approximately 15 per cent of rubber used with the bitumen and due to the on-site mixing there is no loss of product through separation because the mix is used immediately.”
Every three years conditions assessments are completed on sections of the road to assist the Council in developing a maintenance plan for the coming construction season.
Trevor Wills said triennial inspections had allowed Corangamite to keep accurate histories of road sections and track the effectiveness of the reseal works.
“The contracted work is also an economic boom to businesses in Corangamite that are frequented by the visiting workers during their time in the region,” he said.
“This benefit comes to approximately $150,000 every reconstruction period.”
Trevor Wills said the recycled rubber made the road seal more durable and provided an overall saving to Council.
“We are seeing more stress placed on roads these days with the expansion of the transport industry and this product creates a more flexible surface that takes the battering a bit better,” he said.
“I love that we found such a quality product that works for road users in Corangamite.”
