Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces
For more than three decades, Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces has helped deliver safe playground environments across New South Wales.
Using A1 Rubber’s softfall surfacing systems, including CSBR coloured rubber granules, Opal EPDM granules, Procure binder and Shockpad impact underlays, the Blacktown-based family business has installed durable, compliant playground surfaces in parks, schools and community spaces.
These materials are manufactured using upcycled Australian tyre rubber, helping transform end-of-life tyres into safe and sustainable playground surfaces.
Quick Facts
Project Partner: Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces – Blacktown, NSW
Industry: Playground surfacing and sports surface installation
Specialisation: Softfall playground flooring and safety surfacing
Years in Operation: 30+ years
A1 Rubber Products Used:
- CSBR coloured rubber granules
- Opal EPDM rubber granules
- Procure polyurethane binder
- Shockpads
- Rotatub mixers
Key Applications:
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Public parks and playgrounds
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School play areas
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Childcare centres
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Under-play equipment safety zones
The Challenge
When softfall rubber surfacing was first introduced into Australian playgrounds, contractors often faced resistance from councils accustomed to traditional materials such as mulch, sand and loose-fill surfaces.
For installers like Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces, the challenge was to provide safer, longer-lasting alternatives that could meet evolving Australian playground safety standards while also delivering consistent quality and durability.
Over time, the industry has shifted toward engineered rubber surfacing systems, which offer improved safety, reduced maintenance and greater design flexibility.
The Solution: Upcycled Rubber Surfacing Systems
Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces has relied on A1 Rubber’s complete playground surfacing system for many years.
The system combines CSBR rubber granules, Opal EPDM finishes and Procure binders, along with Shockpad underlays, to create softfall surfaces that meet Australian safety requirements while maintaining strong durability in outdoor environments.
Many of these products are manufactured using upcycled tyre rubber, transforming end-of-life tyres into high-performance playground surfacing materials.
This approach supports circular economy outcomes while delivering the performance required for public playground installations.
Key Products Used
CSBR Rubber Granules
A1 Rubber’s CSBR pre-coloured rubber granules are widely used in playground softfall surfacing due to their durability and colour stability.
Manufactured from upcycled Australian tyre rubber, the granules are coloured using a tumbling process that builds multiple layers of natural earth-oxide pigment. This process allows the colour to remain durable even under prolonged exposure to Australia’s harsh UV conditions.
Key features include:
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Long-lasting colour durability
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Strong UV resistance
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18 natural earthy colour options
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Manufactured using upcycled tyre rubber
These characteristics make CSBR ideal for creating sustainable long-lasting playground surfaces.
Opal EPDM
For projects requiring brighter design elements, installers often use Opal EPDM rubber granules.
Opal EPDM is manufactured from virgin EPDM rubber with a minimum EP content of 24%, providing excellent UV durability in Australia’s extreme climate conditions.
Available in 18 vibrant colours, Opal EPDM allows designers to create visually striking playground surfaces while maintaining long-term colour stability.
Procure Binder
A1 Rubber’s Procure polyurethane binder is used to bind rubber granules into durable wetpour playground surfaces.
The binder offers:
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Fast curing times
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Low yellowing characteristics
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Low VOC emissions
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Excellent viscosity for easy mixing and application
Convenient packaging options, including 24kg square pails and large decanting IBCs, help contractors maintain efficient installation processes.
Shockpads
A1 Rubber’s Shockpads provide critical fall-height protection beneath playground surfaces.
Manufactured from 100% upcycled Australian tyre rubber, these shockpads are engineered to deliver consistent impact absorption while maintaining structural durability.
Key advantages include:
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Certified compliance with Australian Standard AS4422:2016
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Available thicknesses from 15mm to 50mm
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Suitable for wetpour rubber, rubber tiles and synthetic grass
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Fast production turnaround and reliable supply
Unlike many foam alternatives, Shockpads maintain their shape over time and resist curling or compression.
A Family Business Built on Experience
Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces was founded more than 30 years ago by Geoff Bell, who initially focused on cricket pitches and synthetic turf installations before expanding into playground surfacing.
“It’s a family business,” Geoff explains. “I started it over 30 years ago.”
The business has since grown to involve Geoff’s sons, with the next generation now taking on leadership roles.
Much of the company’s work involves public playgrounds and safety surfaces beneath play equipment, helping councils and communities provide safer play environments.
A Long-Term Partnership
Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces has been working with A1 Rubber since the early days of the business.
“I think they were the only company producing the type of rubber we were after at the time,” Geoff recalls. “They were the main players then, and they still are.”
Over the years, the partnership has been maintained through consistent product quality and responsive service.
“The service is good and the staff are very obliging,” Geoff says. “They’re very helpful and we have good communication with them.”
Supporting Safe and Sustainable Playgrounds
Through long-term collaborations with installers like Australian Sports & Safety Surfaces, A1 Rubber continues to demonstrate how upcycled tyre rubber materials can support safe, durable and visually engaging playground environments.
By combining innovative surfacing products with experienced installation teams, these projects help deliver playgrounds that support community safety, long-term durability and sustainable material use.
Planning a playground or softfall surfacing project?
Discover how A1 Rubber’s upcycled rubber playground systems can help deliver safe, durable and compliant play environments.
Contact our team to discuss product options for your next project.