Ten civil engineering graduates from Shadforth, one of Queensland’s largest family‑owned civil construction companies, recently spent a day at Boral’s Ipswich Asphalt Plant for a rare inside look at how high-quality asphalt is produced, tested and prepared for delivery to projects across the region. The visit took place at our manufacturing facility on Redbank Plains Road, a long‑standing site that supplies surfacing solutions for residential, commercial and major infrastructure works throughout Ipswich and South East Queensland.

The group followed the full production process from start to finish. They saw how raw materials are combined into asphalt mixes, observed the on‑site quality testing that ensures every batch meets strict performance requirements and learned how final products are loaded and dispatched safely to active works. The plant’s NATA‑accredited testing capability plays an essential role in verifying mix properties and maintaining consistency across all materials produced. 

The graduates brought plenty of thoughtful questions about mix design, testing procedures and how asphalt performs under varying conditions. Our Ipswich crew enjoyed the opportunity to share their expertise and demonstrate the teamwork that keeps the site operating smoothly during its regular weekday schedule. The facility continues to support the broader community by producing reliable asphalt for roads, driveways and public infrastructure across the region. 

A big thank you to Matt Egan, Jason Daunt, James Laurenson, Dan Bartlett, Ruby Holmes, Wendy Vincent, Richie Hilli and Megan Tuari for hosting the visit and showcasing the depth of knowledge that underpins Boral’s asphalt operations. Experiences like these help future engineers build confidence in the materials and processes they will encounter throughout their careers and strengthen connections between industry learning and real‑world practice.