Newcastle Paves the Way for Low-Carbon Concrete

The City of Newcastle took a bold step toward a greener future on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, with an education initiative documenting a low carbon concrete pour in Broadmeadow, NSW. The initiative was funded by SmartCrete and delivered with Climate KIC in collaboration with MECLA (Materials and Embodied Carbon Leader’s Alliance) and is a step forward in Australia’s journey toward decarbonising public infrastructure.

The aim of the project was twofold: a side-by-side comparison of low-carbon concrete and the “business-as-usual” mix on a stretch of council-owned footpath, and to produce educational videos, showcasing practical guidance on mixing, laying, and finishing low-carbon concrete. These videos, which will be available to the public, aim to close knowledge gaps and challenge industry misconceptions about new sustainable materials.

A Practical Comparison: Traditional vs. Low-Carbon Concrete

As part of the trial, two types of concrete were poured to compare material behaviour and handling. One was the standard “business-as-usual” mix with a 23% replacement of cement with fly ash. The other other was a low-embodied carbon alternative featuring a 43% replacement of cement with fly ash with a proprietary additive, to ensure matched performance to the standard mix. The low-carbon mix promises around 17% lower upfront embodied CO2, offering a potential pathway to drastically reduced emissions in construction.

Beyond evaluating material performance, the pilot pour aimed to train local council teams in the handling and application of low-carbon materials. By gaining hands-on experience, Newcastle’s crews are laying the groundwork for future sustainable projects across the region.

Capturing Knowledge for the Industry

To help other councils and construction teams understand the process, the concrete pour was filmed to produce educational video content. These resources will be made publicly available, showcasing practical guidance on mixing, laying, and finishing low-carbon concrete. The videos aim to close knowledge gaps and challenge industry misconceptions about new sustainable materials.

Exceeding Technical Expectations

Early indications from the trial point to strong results. Niki Jackson from Sustainable Future by Design and MECLA said the mix performed better than expected during testing:

“I thought it was going to be about 110–120 slump, but it only tested 90. So from a technical perspective, the mix definitely looks pretty good.”
Cost efficiency also impressed the team, with Jackson adding:

“On this project, the cost effectiveness of using the low-carbon concrete is going to be the same price as their current standard mix, which is a great outcome for the City of Newcastle.”

On-Site Confidence from the Crew

The hands-on feedback from Newcastle’s construction team was equally encouraging. Matthew Hardy, Construction Manager at the City of Newcastle, reflected on initial concerns about workability:

“I did speak to some of the guys before we started this project, and a couple of them said that with more fly ash it gets sticky and becomes hard to work with. But the proof’s in the pudding. After a trial on Friday, there was no complaints about it at all, and I think the guys are pretty confident putting it down today.”

The low-carbon concrete performed so well that the City of Newcastle have engaged in conversations with the supplier to continue using the material for the remainder of the footpath project.

Collaboration Driving Change

The project has drawn strong support from local leadership. City of Newcastle Councillor Siobhan Isherwood expressed her enthusiasm for what this collaboration represents:

“I’m really excited to see this happening. It’s great to be working in collaboration with organisations like SmartCrete and MECLA to help scale up projects like this.”

Building a Low-Carbon Future

This pilot signals more than just progress in materials technology—it showcases the power of collaboration, education, and local leadership in driving the transition to sustainable construction. With promising technical results, cost parity, and an engaged local workforce, Newcastle’s low-carbon concrete trial could serve as a model for councils and contractors across Australia.