Trials to start at $20 million plant

Published 12:00pm 9 February 2021

Downer’s new state-of-the-art $20 million Sustainable Road Resource Centre at Brendale is on track to start production trials next month and be fully operational in April.

Work has been gathering pace on the 11.5-hectare site in Leitchs Rd, which will have a reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) processing plant and a Reconomy facility.

It will replace Downer’s 40-year-old plant two kilometres away in Kremzow Rd, securing jobs for more than 40 staff and creating more in the future.

The giant HRAP drum is hoisted by crane to the top of the tower at Brendale.

In position

“Most of the main infrastructure is in place and we will now commence the electrical fit out and connection of the computers and operational systems,” says Downer’s Darryl Byrne, Manager, Queensland - Pavements.

The advanced Hot Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (HRAP) drum was recently lifted into position to be used in the gentle heating of RAP, which is added to asphalt mixes.

This allows a more controlled heating process which in turn maintains the quality and performance of the asphalt mix.

The secondary drum is then carefully lifted into position.

Cutting emissions

It also enables a higher percentage of HRAP to be used so the overall product is more sustainable.

“By utilising more HRAP in our products, we also reduce CO₂ emissions associated with the extraction and processing of virgin materials,” says Mr Byrne.

The next stage of the Sustainable Road Resource Centre will see the construction of a Downer Reconomy facility, likely to start in March.

How this section of the Sustainable Road Resource Centre at Brendale will look when finished

Grant support

This will have industry-leading practices to divert waste from landfill and re-engineer materials for reuse in established markets.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said development of the Reconomy facility is being supported by a $2.5 million grant from the Queensland Government’s Resource Recovery Industry Development Program (RRIDP).

Downer road resurfacing teams at work in the Moreton Bay Region.

Zero waste

“The advanced technology that will be used at the new Downer Reconomy facility will ensure the productive use of more than 35,000 tonnes of waste per annum from council and municipality roads in South East Queensland,” Mr Miles said.

Assistant Minister for Local Government and State Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said projects such as this helped the government’s goal of creating a zero-waste future.

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