Polypave hits out after getting cold shoulder from Qld govt over road boosting product

Despite creating a water resistant road surface that could transform the Bruce Highway, a Queensland company is considering moving overseas after struggling to attract Transport and Main Roads’ interest. See why they are threatening to relocate overseas.

Polypave International chief executive John Lyons blasted the state government's lack of interest in his product that could improve the notorious Bruce Highway. Pictures: Supplied.

The company behind a cutting-edge road technology is considering moving its operations overseas, blasting Transport and Main Roads’ lack of interest in the potential game changer for the Bruce Highway. 

Developed in the early 2000s and nationally certified in 2024, Polypave treated pavements use recycled materials to create a road surface 750 times more impermeable to water than the traditional approach.

This stops the ingress of water which creates potholes and pavement deterioration, particularly related to climate change and flood events.

Queensland-based company Polypave International has independent NTRO research and global build evidence to support their product’s claims of enhanced durability and load-bearing, reduced maintenance, improved safety, faster construction, and greater cost effectiveness in the long run. 

Despite these positive attributes, and the potential to revolutionise the construction and maintenance of Queensland’s roads, Polypave International is now considering relocating their business overseas after receiving the cold shoulder from TMR and unable to meet with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg. 

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg is yet to meet with Polypave. Picture: Adam Head.

When asked in parliament about warranty periods for road construction projects delivered on behalf of TMR, Mr Mickelberg said in July that they ranged between three months and two years. 

By comparison, Polypave delivers a 20+ plus year design life for its roads and is actively making inroads into other markets in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Polypave International presented a technical research paper on Polypave in Africa at the request of the World Road Association that addressed the challenges of climate change on regional and remote pavements.

Polypave International chief executive John Lyons at the World Road Association gathering in Africa. Picture: Supplied.

Polypave International chief executive John Lyons engaging with the National Road Authority in Africa. Picture: Supplied.

Frustrated by TMR’s lack of interest, Polypave boss John Lyons blamed public servants for not embracing an Australian approved and certified technology, a lack of vision, complacency, incompetence, and the protection of vested industry interests.

“(TMR says) we don’t care, we do foam bitumen, that’s what we do, we’re not interested (in Polypave treated pavements),” Mr Lyons said. 

“There’s this active bias by staff members within road authorities against new technology coming in to disturb the status quo of the industry.

“Because it’s a big industry … billions of dollars a year. 

“Foam bitumen is very popular in Queensland. It’s owned by very large organisations and it’s become a default go-to.” 

He said TMR wrote a letter to Polypave International saying “they would not be using our product in their road network, and we should talk to local government”. 

Polypave's director of operations Brendan Rasmussen said they hoped to build a $20m manufacturing plant in Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

“You could nearly infer that with TMR, they’re looking after their industry mates, they’re not looking objectively on behalf of the people of Queensland to look at this technology that’s approved, that has been peer-reviewed for three years including additional independent research for Certification, and embraced by the World Road Authority,” he said. 

“Then you’ve got a technical staff officer saying ‘No, I don’t think so, mate.’ That’s it. 

Polypave International chief executive John Lyons (right) at a project site in Africa. Picture: Supplied.

“So why would you do business in Australia? We want to meet the transport minister. So far we’ve not been successful. We don’t know why.”

If they were able to gain traction in Queensland, Polypave International planned to build a $20m manufacturing facility in Townsville, rather than going offshore and forcing Australia to import the product.

It is understood that Polypave obtained interim approval from NTRO on the provision that it would provide further supporting material for evaluation, and work was continuing to undertake a trial.

Maribyrnong council Polypave a street in Melbourne in 2020. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Transport and Main Roads responds to criticism

A TMR spokeswoman said they were supportive of innovative products for use on the state-controlled road network, which aligned with their safety objectives.

“TMR has frameworks in place to assess these products prior to use, which includes the use of an independent verifier of proprietary products. This is to ensure that suppliers are all treated equitably,” she said.

“The verifier works with the product owner to investigate and independently verify the product’s claims. Once verified, TMR may consider the product for use in a project, and the product would be considered along with a range of other construction methodologies.

“The trialling and use of unverified products would unnecessarily create significant financial, operational and safety risks for motorists and Queensland.”

Maribyrnong councillors Martin Zakharov and Gina Huynh show off a street made with polypave during a 2020 trial. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said her government doubled funding to councils through the Roads to Recovery program, and co-fund major road infrastructure programs with state and territory governments, who manage the delivery of those projects in their jurisdiction.

“The Australian Government doesn’t dictate the materials and construction methods that states or territories and their designated contractors use,” Ms King said.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King at the Queensland Media Club luncheon in Brisbane. Photo: Dan Peled / NewsWire

“However, under the Federation Funding Agreement Schedule for Land Transport Infrastructure Projects (FFAS), which commenced in August 2024, the Australian Government and states and territories have committed to the shared strategic goal of delivering projects in ways that promote productivity and resilience, liveability, and sustainability.

“The FFAS also sets an expectation that project procurement will consider opportunities to optimise recycled content to support Australia’s transition to a circular economy.”

For more information, visit: www.polypaveinternational.com.

Originally published as Polypave hits out after getting cold shoulder from Qld govt over road boosting product