Turning waste concrete into a valuable commodity
A Northern Territory business is yet again demonstrating its innovative nature by staying on top of the latest advances in recycling.
Darwin-based Ostojic Group is creating a money-saving, environmentally friendly side enterprise by recycling concrete.
The company has been given permission by the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics to supply a blended road pavement material that includes recycled concrete to the Tiger Brennan Drive Overpass project.
The concrete has also been used to lay the access road to the newly opened Core Lithium rare earths mine on the outskirts of Darwin.
And it is also in demand from a string of construction companies.
Ostojic Group General Manager Simon Ostojic said: “Demand is outstripping supply.”
The recycled road base proved that it is up to standard by being put through a series of rigorous engineering tests.
The reuse of waste concrete is another example of the Territory’s growing circular economy.
Ostojic is a thriving specialist service and contracting group covering civil construction, transport, quarrying and concrete supply.
Projects include building Truck Central, Zuccoli residential estate and most of the Litchfield National Park road.
The business was founded in 1972 by Tomo Ostojic, who was a young, single man when he walked out of his little hometown in what was then Yugoslavia and headed for a new life in Australia.
He had a little money in his pocket – enough to tide him over for a few weeks in the Great Southern Land – but couldn’t speak more than a few words of English.
From that humble start Mr Ostojic built a successful business in the Territory – and it continues to go from strength to strength by incorporating new and innovative ways to reuse and recycle waste material.
Territory businesses with projects or ideas that create or improve recycling, reuse or remanufacturing of waste currently going into landfill can now apply for a Circular Economy NT (CENT) Grant.
The grant program, which is funded by the Northern Territory Government supports projects that create opportunities to grow the Territory’s economy by turning waste into a valuable commodity.
Applications close 5 January 2024. To learn more and apply go to the nt.gov.au/CENT website.
