A street in Melbourne’s City of Yarra is set to be paved with recycled tyres, with a new technology that reduces waste, encourages tree growth and prevents pollution.
The high infiltration permeable pavement – which will be used to construct a centre median in McIlwraith St, Princes Hill – retains moisture, preventing pollutants from entering the drainage network and reducing stormwater runoff.
The water it retains can then be used by the surrounding trees and plants, encouraging more growth to prevent the heat island effect.
The pavement is made from around 70 per cent recycled tyres, sourced from a Victorian facility, as well as recycled glass and rock particles to give it the strength needed to sustain the weight of cars and other vehicles.
Yarra Council has been awarded a $90,000 grant from the Victorian Government through Sustainability Victoria’s Sustainable Infrastructure Fund to support the project.
Yarra Council is contributing an additional $75,000, and is partnering with the University of Melbourne to deliver the innovative water sensitive urban design project.
Over the next two years, Yarra Council and the University of Melbourne will monitor how the permeable pavers perform mechanically, and how surrounding tree health is affected.
The City of Yarra is one of 18 Victorian councils and alpine resort management boards to be supported to use recycled materials in infrastructure projects through the Sustainable Infrastructure Fund.
Collectively, the projects will use approximately 2000 tonnes of recycled materials including glass, plastic and rubber to create roads, footpaths, outdoor park furniture, drainage and pavements.
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