Over 2000 Enduroplank™ decking planks were loaded onto a truck heading for Magnetic Island just off Townsville, Queensland. This is the second major boardwalk built with Enduroplank™ on the island and will require 80 lineal metres of two-metre wide boardwalk to be installed on a 45 degree slope.

Townsville City Council purchased the first boardwalk in March 2008. A detailed comparative cost analysis revealed significant economic advantages of using composite and recycled materials over traditional ones and the project was completed on budget and ahead of schedule. Replas is very proud that many years later the council has once again chosen Enduroplank™ for this new boardwalk stretching from Nelly Bay to Arcadia

Stonington City Council, in Victoria, has funded a ground breaking project that will increase habitat connectivity, improve water quality and provide recreational and educational opportunities.

Through clever environmental design the 'Lower Yarra River Biodiversity Linkages Project’ uses materials obtained through sustainable or recyclable sources. An elevated Enduroplank™ boardwalk with a composite fibre sub-structure, which was designed and constructed by Replas, allows users to experience views of the wetlands and the river. The location is further enhanced by a selection of picnic settings and benches all made from 100% Australian recycled plastic.

‘Enduroplank™ is easy to install due to the consistency of the boards and due to them covering a fair bit of territory by being 195 mm wide.’ Ken Snow, Director, Snow Homes – Installer.

Holdfast Bay Council, in SA, enlisted Replas to design, certify, supply, and install a composite fibre and recycled plastic staircase and boardwalk, at Barton Gully.

The council were excited to be using a ground breaking product with a virtually maintenance-free future. The structure is expected to last in excess 40 years, which is far more than any other conventional building material. Holdfast Bay Council is committed to sustainability, but also has very strict conformity guidelines. Replas is proud to supply them with environmentally-friendly products that suit their requirements.

As many of us head to the beach these holidays spare a thought for our poor coastline as it has to cope with thousands of hot little feet throughout the summer. Like many popular beaches, One Mile Beach in Forster, NSW had an issue of pedestrian related erosion. A new boardwalk installed by Great Lakes Council has provided an innovative solution to this common problem.

The council chose recycled-plastic Enduromesh as they wanted a surface where the sand could easily wash away. Andrew Staniland, Parks Natural Assets Officer at the council said their decision was, ‘based on the cost comparison to normal building materials and the limited maintenance,’ adding, ‘with the majority of users being bare foot on this high use facility, the inert compounds (chemicals and make up of product) provided peace of mind’.

To make the project cost-effective a treated pine support structure was used. However, composite fibre beams were used underneath a beach shower as they will last longer in wet conditions.

  

In September 2010, we featured the newly opened Bluewater Trail in Mackay. The trail was completed using a variety of building products. In one section, which was expected to be underwater for four weeks of the year, Mackay Council chose to install Enduroplank™ decking with a composite fibre sub-structure.

This was a solution that promised many years maintenance free performance in difficult conditions. However, not even this forward thinking council could have imagined the conditions the trail would soon have to endure.

The horrendous floods and cyclones that Queensland experienced in early 2011 wreaked havoc on the trail. Such was the force, concrete sections were simply washed away, yet the devastation had no impact on the recycled plastic or the composite fibre.

This is a testament to the strength and durability of both products. Not only are they sustainable and environmentally friendly, but they are emerging as a superior solution when compared to conventional building materials and methodologies.

As Mackay Council undertakes the task of repair they are now considering extending the recycled plastic and composite fibre sections to increase the strength and longevity of the trail.

 

Visitors to the Ulladulla Headland Tourist Park in NSW now have easy access to Lobster Jack’s Beach with the installation of a new Enduroplank™ boardwalk. Park owners Kevin & Lee Walsh felt it was the right choice when compared with timber because of its strength, durability and the fact that maintenance will be minimal. Kevin says of Enduroplank™, ‘It surprised me that it was not slippery in the wet and it appears it will take a beating,’ adding, ‘I would certainly consider using Replas products in the future’.

Green Island is a popular national park which offers visitors the opportunity to experience a small tropical island on the Great Barrier Reef close to Cairns.

A timber boardwalk in the tropical forest of the island had deteriorated, creating ongoing maintenance problems and presenting a potential safety risks to visitors.

Alan Clackson from the Department of Environment Resource Management - Marine Parks, said they decided to replace the boardwalk with Enduroplank™ recycled-plastic decking as it is durable, requires minimal maintenance and the product is aesthetically pleasing to look at.

A 300 metre floating deck was created by attaching Enduroplank™ to rectangular profiles which sit directly on the sand. As no sub-structure is required a floating deck is easy and cheap to install. The boardwalk was completed with 100 metres of deck raised on a composite fibre sub-structure.

A major benefit of this method is that the path will not be damaged by the tree roots as they grow underneath. As the path is continuously joined, if the tree roots try to lift the path, the whole path will lift, avoiding any possibility
of a trip hazard developing.

Alan said the department felt that in this sensitive environment it was, ‘their responsibility to the public to lead the way and use recycled products,’ adding that the use of, ‘recycled plastics reduced the demand on limited timber resources’.

DURING-

AFTER-

This original bitumen pathway in Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens had been damaged by the park's extensive tree root systems. The pathway needed constant maintenance and was losing it aesthetic appeal. As it had also become a safety hazard, Brisbane City Council decided to install a floating recycled- plastic boardwalk. The product is ideal for this environment as plastic boardwalk planking is flexible, and therefore allows for movement. The end result looks fantastic, will be around for visitors to enjoy for many years and most importantly preserves the root systems of the trees.

Visitors to Mossman Gorge in the Daintree National Park will now have a world-class viewing experience thanks to a new elevated walkway. The decking is made from recycled-plastic
Enduroplank™, sourced from 100% Australian waste—saving 37 tonnes of plastic from going to landfill.

According to Dave Sherwell, Ranger in Charge at Daintree National Park, the previous timber tracks, ‘Were extremely high maintenance. With the high temperatures and high rainfall there was lots of
mould, lots of slippage issues, plus the timber didn’t last due to wood rot’.

Replacing the boardwalk with recycled-plastic decking solved the problem of maintenance and replacement. However, as the terrain was undulating, wheelchair access was difficult.
It was important to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service that everyone had the opportunity to visit this beautiful area and so a new elevated boardwalk was designed.

With the completion of the project, 215 metres of new boardwalk will carry visitors into the mid-canopy of the rainforest, allowing them a new and unique perspective of
the huge variety of trees, creepers and epiphytes that make this lowland
rainforest special.

‘As you can see it not only looks great, but it’s worked out a charm as far as no maintenance, no repairs and so far there’s

been no slippages and to date terrific reviews’ - Dave Sherwell, Ranger in Charge – Daintree Wet Tropics Region, Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service.

Recycled plastic goes on and on...

Approximately 1 km of recycled- plastic decking and stair treads was originally laid at Mosman Gorge in 2003. It needed to be removed to make way for the new elevated walkway, but was in excellent condition and still had a life span of more than forty years. In the true spirit of recycling, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service gave it to the local Aboriginal community who have been able to use it to create boardwalks in other areas.

Before

After

There’s nothing we like more than heading down to our favourite beach to soak up some summer sun.

Clovelly Beach, NSW, is a small and tranquil beach, popular with family groups and the elderly. When its old timber disabled ramp was in need of repair, Randwick City Council chose to use recycled-plastic materials to refurbish the deck, kick rails and posts.

The council said they wanted a ramp that could, ‘withstand long term damage caused by sea water, and offer a safer surface for beachgoers’.

The use of our new brown Enduroplank™ has produced a stunning result and will be enjoyed by the community for many summers to come.