Client:
City of Melbourne
Location:
Port Melbourne, VIC
Product:
Porous Lane
Project:
Area: 400 sqm
Tyres Recycled: 1,200
Project
Gallery
Project
Overview
Challenge
A frequently waterlogged stretch of shared path in Port Melbourne had become a deterrent for pedestrians and cyclists. Low-lying and prone to pooling after rainfall, this section needed a surface upgrade that could handle water efficiently—without sacrificing durability or accessibility.
The Solution
The City of Melbourne partnered with Watersmart to install Porous Lane—a permeable, flexible pavement system—over a base of geocomposite layer and washed aggregate. This approach ensures rapid water infiltration while offering structural integrity suitable for shared-use paths.
Impact
The Porous Lane upgrade successfully eliminated water pooling, making the path safer and more inviting year-round. By recycling the equivalent of 1,200 tyres into this 400 sqm surface, the project also aligned with Melbourne’s commitment to sustainability and circular design.
Result: A safer, smarter path—and no more puddles.
What’s Beneath the Surface?
A typical Porous Lane bike path installation features a layered system designed for performance and sustainability:
Permeable Surface Layer
Comprised of up to 60% recycled materials—including the equivalent of three waste tyres per square metre—this flexible pavement is mixed and laid directly on site.
Natural Soil Subgrade
The existing soil conditions help determine the depth of underlying aggregate layers and the rate of water exfiltration.
Note: This cross-section is indicative only and may be tailored to suit specific site requirements and design objectives.
