Grounded Solutions: How a Northern Territory Council Turned Recycled Tyres into Community Infrastructure

Against the backdrop of the red earth of the Northern Territory, where remote locality and arid climate conditions shape the infrastructure choices of local government, the Alice Springs Town Council took a different path than most: choosing to lead with innovation instead of defaulting to the status quo. 

Rather than pouring more concrete, they opted for something softer underfoot — and stronger in impact. 

In partnership with Melbourne-based manufacturer Porous Lane and with funding support from Tyre Stewardship Australia, the Council implemented a permeable pavement made from end-of-life tyres. Installed as a new footpath in a residential area, the project aimed to provide a high-quality, durable, and more sustainable surface for walking, cycling, and community access, while demonstrating the real-world benefits of using recycled rubber in public infrastructure. 

The Problem in Context 

End-of-life tyres are among the most challenging materials for regional councils to manage. In the Northern Territory, the issue is acute: illegal dumping is widespread, transport to metropolitan recycling facilities is costly, and landfill space is finite. 

The NT EPA reported that in 2022-23, over 14,000 used tyres were found illegally dumped at 47 sites across the Territory¹, including roadsides, carparks, and remote bushland. Disposal costs in regional areas can be up to five times higher than in metropolitan areas², driven by long transport distances, lower competition, and limited local infrastructure.  

A 2024 survey found that rural and regional councils often face the highest per-tonne costs for managing illegally dumped tyres, with some councils reporting clean-up costs exceeding $1,000 per tonne³. 

According to Alice Springs Town Council's Acting Manager of Works, Stewart Webb, the problem was plain to see. “One of the big waste items in the Northern Territory is tyres. There's a lot of illegal dumping. It's a big issue here,” he said. “So, it was about trying to find something that could help reduce the waste, increase recycling, and then hopefully support our infrastructure projects.” 

“One of the big waste items in the Northern Territory is tyres. There's a lot of illegal dumping."

The Alice Springs Approach 

Stewart discovered Porous Lane while researching footpath options for a large-scale replacement project. Impressed by the concept and sustainability credentials, he arranged for samples, which performed well in the hot and dry conditions of Alice Springs. 

Porous Lane’s permeable pavement product is a composite blend of recycled rubber, rock and binder, designed to allow stormwater to infiltrate directly into the ground. But for Stewart, it wasn’t just the permeability that sold him. 

“We get very little rain here, so the permeability side of it wasn’t the main driver,” he explained. “It was more about the recycling of the tyres at the end of the day.” 

Yet moving from concept to implementation was far from straightforward. Convincing others in council wasn’t easy, particularly when compared to conventional materials. 

“Anything new within any level of government — especially local government — is really difficult. There’s a lot more convincing required,” Stewart said. “I could’ve laid down concrete in a week. Instead, it turned into months of planning.” 

His business case eventually won approval, aided by the support of Tyre Stewardship Australia’s Market Development Fund. As Stewart put it, “Without TSA’s funding, this project 100% wouldn’t have happened.” The funding helped turn months of internal reporting and budget justification into a pilot that has since proven its worth — both in performance and community benefit. 

“Without TSA’s funding, this project 100% wouldn’t have happened.”

Partnering with Porous Lane 

The Alice Springs project involved the installation of a new pedestrian walkway in a residential area, designed to enhance community access and deliver environmental benefits. Porous Lane worked closely with the council to deliver the project, supplying around 500 square metres of permeable paving. The company also provided technical assistance, troubleshooting, and comprehensive on-site training to ensure smooth delivery from start to finish. 

Porous Lane is no stranger to council project delivery. The Melbourne-based company has worked with dozens of local governments across Victoria and New South Wales, delivering installations for shared-use paths, car parks, school grounds, laneways and walkways. Their product has been developed for durability and performance, with a 25-year design life and made from up to 60% Australian recycled tyre rubber combined with locally sourced rock. 

Their success lies not just in the product’s performance, but in the wraparound support they provide. “It doesn’t require complex equipment, just a mixer and a generator,” said Amir Mehdizadeh, Managing Director and Co-founder of Porous Lane. “We offer training programs so councils can manage installation themselves.” 

To support regional capability building, Porous Lane delivered a three-day, on-site training session for council staff and contractors. Installation was managed locally, reducing the need for external contractors and creating upskilling opportunities within council teams. Their ability to source rubber from within the NT, provide training, and work alongside council to troubleshoot made the trial not just possible, but replicable elsewhere. 

For Alice Springs Town Council, the combination of product performance, training support, and TSA funding made Porous Lane a compelling partner.  

Product Performance and Community Feedback 

Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. The paving has been praised for its visual quality, comfort underfoot, and resilience. “It looks a lot nicer than asphalt, and it’s got a bit of softness to it,” Stewart said. “It’s really nice to run on.” 

One section of the footpath, which is regularly crossed by maintenance vehicles, has also held up well. Residents have commented positively on its comfort for walking and exercise, and the material’s muted grey tone offers a modern, concrete-like appearance while delivering additional performance benefits. 

Amir noted that Porous Lane works closely with councils to support independent installation, offering training and guidance on equipment needs. “Almost all of our clients are repeat clients, mostly councils,” he said. “It’s not just about sustainability. It feels better and looks better. Because it’s semi-flexible, it’s less prone to cracking or damage, making it more durable.” 

A Regional Council Embracing Circularity 

From a circular economy perspective, the project sets a precedent. Rather than sending end-of-life hundreds of kilometers away for processing, the rubber used in Alice Springs' walkway was sourced and recycled locally. This closed-loop outcome—recycling end-of-life tyres within the Northern Territory and returning them to use in the same community—was critical to both the environmental and logistical value of the project. 

“We were committed to using NT-sourced [end-of-life] tyres for this job,” Amir explained, “that supported the local circular economy. Otherwise, those tyres may have gone to landfill or been illegally dumped.” 

Stewart reflected on the environmental motivation behind the project. “It’s really hard to get rid of tyres in the NT,” he explained. “If they’re not being recycled, they go to landfill, or people dump them.” 

The installation used rubber from around 1,500 end-of-life tyres. With over 500,000 tonnes of tyres reaching end-of-life in Australia each year, the opportunity is significant. 

The product is also fully recyclable at the end of its life, helping ensure the materials can be repurposed again. This not only strengthens its sustainability credentials, but reinforces the viability of circular, closed-loop projects for regional governments looking to reduce waste and meet ESG and sustainable procurement targets. 

The Role of TSA and the Market Development Fund 

Tyre Stewardship Australia supported the project through its Market Development Fund, which helps councils and businesses trial or scale products that incorporate tyre-derived material. 

“We’ve worked with TSA since 2015,” Amir added. “The process is straightforward. TSA genuinely wants to support you—they’re not looking for reasons to reject you.” 

For councils considering recycled rubber infrastructure, Stewart’s advice is simple: “Start with a small trial. Clean your tools every day.” Reflecting on the process, he added, “You’ve got to try new things to figure out what might work better. That was the motivation to keep going with it.” His persistence paid off — the council now has a durable, community-focused asset that demonstrates the environmental and performance benefits of using recycled rubber in public works. 

“You’ve got to try new things to figure out what might work better. That was the motivation to keep going with it.”

If You’re Not Specifying Recycled Rubber, Why Not? 

Rubber from end-of-life tyres is a high-value input, not a liability. The Alice Springs project proves that even in regional and remote settings, councils can deliver quality infrastructure while addressing local environmental challenges like illegal dumping and landfill pressure. The product's versatility also makes it ideal for a range of applications, from shared-use paths and laneways to school grounds and around trees — anywhere a durable, permeable surface is needed. 

Councils not yet specifying recycled rubber or exploring support through TSA’s Market Development Fund may be overlooking a clear pathway to more circular infrastructure delivery. With practical guidance and funding support available, your council could be next to lead the charge. Alice Springs Town Council has successfully demonstrated that even small-scale trials can create lasting impact when driven by a commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

If you're looking to integrate high-performance, recycled rubber products into your next project, visit Porous Lane for product specifications and real-world examples. 

To explore grant support opportunities, learn more about TSA’s Market Development Fund. 

_{¹ Stockpiling and illegal dumping of tyres: cost to local governments and others, prepared for Tyre Stewardship Australia by Blue Environment and the Centre for International Economics, April 2024 (p. 23).} 

_{² Ibid. (p. 30).} 

_{³ Ibid. (p. 33).}