But that’s happening in the Western Parkland City and the authorities are not fazed; they welcome it.
Sydney Metro is currently transporting crushed sandstone to the Western Sydney International Airport under construction at Badgerys Creek.
In all, some 500,000 tonnes will be moved west to Sydney’s newest economic hub.
Sydney Metro aims to reuse 100 per cent of crushed sandstone during excavation of the 15.5-kilometre twin railway tunnels between Chatswood and Marrickville.
“This high-quality sandstone will be used as a high-strength foundation to support the construction of the runway, taxiways and roads on site,” said Graham Millett, CEO, Western Sydney Airport
Mr Millet said it was about sustainability and efficiency, reusing resources and reducing carbon emissions.
“It is a great example of how we can make the most of Sydney’s infrastructure boom, not only to save taxpayer funds but also to cut down on waste,” he said
As for the ground class project, Penrith City Council said around 50 tonnes, the equivalent of 227,200 stubbies, would be used for street paving
Asphalt uses sand in the road paving mix but council general manager, Warwick Winn, said the use of “glassphalt” – using recycled stubbies – showed council was continuing to embrace more sustainable practices whenever possible.
That was a better use outcome than the glass ending up as landfill council said.
“Council’s tendered road service contractor, St Marys-based State Asphalt Services, recently upgraded its plant to make glassphalt, and so we are trialling their product now that it is available,” Mr Winn said.
“In an average year, council resurfaces or reconstructs some 30 kilometres of roads and by increasing the use of glassphalt rather than asphalt, we will be doing a lot to reduce the amount of waste glass in landfill,” he said.
The international airport and the Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis will be the catalysts in the creation of Western Parkland City serving the demands of well over 1.5 million people in the long term.
It will be a polycentric city built on the strengths and attributes of three established centres: Liverpool, Greater Penrith and Campbelltown-Macarthur.
