Boral Permcon permeable concrete is a specialist concrete designed to allow water to pass through the surface and into the ground below. Combining functional performance with a range of colour options, it delivers both stormwater management and visual appeal across residential, commercial and infrastructure applications.

Permeable concrete is increasingly used where projects need to balance hardstand areas with environmental requirements, including local council planning controls and water sensitive urban design outcomes.

Features and benefits

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Manages stormwater at the source
Allows water to infiltrate through the surface, reducing runoff and helping manage peak flows during rain events.

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Supports sustainable and compliant design
Helps meet water sensitive urban design outcomes and can assist in addressing council requirements for permeable surface areas.

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Durable, functional and visually flexible
Provides a stable, slip-resistant surface with a range of colour options, supporting both performance and design objectives.

Contact Boral for a quote and to discuss suitability for your project.

Applications

Permeable concrete is suitable for a broad range of project types, including:

Residential

  • Driveways and pathways
  • Outdoor entertaining areas and patios
  • Developments requiring compliance with permeable surface ratios

Commercial and public infrastructure

  • Car parks and accessways
  • Footpaths and shared zones
  • Public realm and streetscape projects
  • Sporting and recreational areas
  • Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) applications

Landscaping and urban environments

  • Tree protection zones
  • Parks and open space
  • Developments balancing hardstand and green space
Dark Charcoal Grey Permeable Concrete driveway

Designed for both performance and appearance

Permcon is available in a range of colours, making it suitable for visible residential and public-facing applications where both performance and finish matter.

This makes it a practical alternative to exposed aggregate or standard concrete where:

  • Visual finish is important
  • Councils or developers require softer environmental outcomes
  • Projects aim to integrate paving into landscaped or urban design schemes
Range of colours that Boral permeable concrete is available in, ranging from dark greys through to light browns
Permcon permeable concrete colour range. Availability may vary by region.

How permeable concrete works

Permeable concrete is constructed with interconnected voids that allow water to pass through the surface rather than run off.

Rainfall moves through the pavement into the underlying layers, where it is temporarily stored before naturally filtering into the ground or being managed within the drainage system.

This reduces pressure on conventional stormwater infrastructure and helps replicate natural water behaviour across developed sites.

Supporting council requirements and planning outcomes

As urban development increases, many councils are placing greater emphasis on:

  • Reducing stormwater runoff
  • Maintaining natural water cycles
  • Limiting the percentage of impermeable surfaces on site

Permeable concrete can support these outcomes by:

  • Increasing permeable surface area
  • Reducing reliance on additional drainage systems
  • Enabling greater flexibility in site design

This makes it particularly relevant for:

  • Residential developments with site coverage limits
  • Multi-dwelling and infill housing
  • Council and infrastructure projects incorporating WSUD principles

Range

  • Standard permeable concrete mixes
  • Permcon is available in a range of colours to suit residential, commercial and public realm applications. Refer to the colour range above.

Availability may vary by region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It is commonly used for residential driveways and hardstand areas, particularly where councils require a balance between paved and permeable surfaces.

In many residential and light-use applications, permeable concrete can be used as an alternative where both appearance and drainage performance are important.

Permeable concrete can contribute to meeting requirements related to stormwater management and permeable surface ratios, depending on the specific council guidelines and site design.

With appropriate design and routine maintenance such as sweeping and cleaning, the risk of clogging can be managed.

Permeable concrete is typically used in pedestrian and light vehicle applications. Suitability for higher load areas should be assessed based on project requirements.

Product downloads

  • Product Data Sheet
  • Safety Data Sheet
  • Technical guidance

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