The Victorian Government has opened its $2.6 million Sustainable Infrastructure Fund grants program, which aims to increase the use of recycled materials in local infrastructure projects across the state.
Grants of up to $300,000 are open to local councils and alpine resort management boards to use recycled materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, plastics and rubber to build new infrastructure including roads, footpaths, outdoor park equipment, drainages and cycleways.
According to Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, the grants are supported by the state government’s previous $4.5 million investment in the development and use of new recycled products through the Research, Development and Demonstration program.
“We’re supporting councils to build innovative infrastructure and make the most out of recycled materials as we continue to build a strong circular economy for Victoria,” she said.
“Victoria is leading the way in giving new life to old rubbish – transforming plastic into roads and glass into footpaths.”
D’Ambrosio added that through a $200,000 Research, Development and Demonstration Grant awarded in October 2018, a partnership between the state government, Boral, City of Whitehorse and RMIT University has successfully developed an environmentally friendly concrete mix by utilising recycled plastics and crumb rubber.
The concrete mix will be used for a new footpath in Ailsa Street Box Hill South later this month.
“This new local footpath demonstrates the role local ingenuity will play as we transition to a circular economy,” Burwood Member Will Fowles said.
“Our local community has demanded action on recycling and the Victorian Government is delivering.”
Victoria’s 79 local councils are expected to spend more than $8 billion on infrastructure projects over the next three years.
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