More than 30,000 tonnes of rubble that was once part of the M1 Pacific Motorway has been used to rebuild fire trails across the Central Coast – and there are plans to roll out the initiative state-wide. 

 NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole says Transport for NSW has partnered with Central Coast Council to donate excess rubble and rocks from the upgrade to help reinforce council’s fire trail network, saving money and time for both parties. 

“This truly was a win-win situation because Transport for NSW saved on transportation and processing costs, while Central Coast Council tripled its fire trail reinforcement program at no extra cost,” Toole says. 

“Hundreds of local homes are still standing because fire fighters were able to hold back the inferno that swept through the area on New Year’s Eve while standing on a reinforced trail.” 

Rural Fire Service Superintendent Viki Campbell says the strength of the upgraded trails gave local brigades a firm foundation for holding back the fire that swept through on New Year’s Eve. 

“Fire trails play a very important role in accessing fires and bringing them under control,” Superintendent Campbell says. “Last fire season, the local network of trails assisted firefighters in protecting hundreds of homes in the area.” 

Central Coast Council Environmental Unit Manager Luke Sulkowski says the program increased capacity to maintain the local fire trail network. 

“This saving on material supply has meant Central Coast Council has completed about three times the quantity of improvements we would have normally achieved within our budget,” Sulkowski says. “Rough estimates on cost savings over three years would be $930,000 for material and about $500,000 for rock reuse.”