Rolling Out Crumb Rubber Asphalt in Queensland and WA

Overview

From the Gold Coast to regional Western Australia, councils are embracing crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) to improve road durability and advance circular economy goals. With support from Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Market Development Fund, these trials are helping pave the way—literally—for broader adoption of tyre-derived materials in road construction.

Two key projects—one led by Gold Coast City Council and the other focused on knowledge transfer into Queensland and WA—are demonstrating the performance and sustainability benefits of CRMA while creating new pathways for end-of-life tyre recovery.

Gold Coast City Council Trial

Gold Coast City Council undertook a crumb rubber asphalt trial on a 660-metre section of Mortensen Road in Nerang, with project delivery partner COLAS. The site was chosen due to its complex traffic patterns, including heavy buses, which would test the performance of the mix.

The goal was to compare a crumb rubber modified binder against standard asphalt under real-world conditions. Performance will be evaluated over two years, with early feedback indicating promising durability and skid resistance. The project aims to build internal council confidence in using crumb rubber on more roads throughout the region.

QLD & WA Technology Transfer Project

To build on this momentum, TSA also supported a broader initiative to share CRMA learnings with local governments and road authorities in Queensland and Western Australia. The project focused on encouraging uptake by providing technical guidance, case studies, and procurement support.

This technology transfer work aims to overcome the perception gap around crumb rubber and demonstrate its long-term economic and environmental value. By improving access to best-practice specifications and on-ground performance data, the project helps reduce barriers to adoption across the road-building industry.

Outcomes & Circular Impact

Together, these projects show that crumb rubber asphalt isn’t just viable—it’s high-performing, durable, and a smart use of waste tyres. By helping councils and contractors feel confident in its application, TSA is supporting stronger roads and a more resilient circular economy.

Key benefits include:

• Improved road performance and longevity
• Reduced maintenance costs over time
• Circular use of end-of-life tyres
• Stronger partnerships between industry and government

With thousands of tyres reused across both projects, this work is another step toward making crumb rubber asphalt a mainstream material in Australian infrastructure.