Premium Quality, Bespoke Bluestone
From the “Quarry to the Pavers”
Victorian Bluestone Quarries (VBQ) has refined the craft of stonemasonry over its 50 years in operation. From the “quarry to the pavers”, we pride ourselves on continually evolving to ensure best practice bespoke bluestone production. VBQ sources Victorian bluestone from its local quarry and produces customised solutions from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in north-west Melbourne. We are driven to help design and built environment professionals, and home builders and renovators, to make informed project material decisions.
This is our process.
Victorian Bluestone Production – Journey from the Quarry to Finished Product
Step 1
Bluestone blocks are extracted from the quarry face, assessed for suitability and either added to the stockpile for processing or sent to be crushed for road base.
Step 1
Bluestone blocks are extracted from the quarry face, assessed for suitability and either added to the stockpile for processing or sent to be crushed for road base.
Step 2
Each boulder in the stockpile is graded and sorted for transportation. Only the A grade boulders are selected to be produced into paving, kerbs, and other products. A careful selection process ensures boulders are free of cracks and imperfections.
Step 2
Each boulder in the stockpile is graded and sorted for transportation. Only the A grade boulders are selected to be produced into paving, kerbs, and other products. A careful selection process ensures boulders are free of cracks and imperfections.
Step 3
Boulders are transported to our Brooklyn yard and grouped according to their end-product suitability. They are then sent to the wire saws for primary processing into billets. Once in billets, they are further assessed for suitability to meet standards for either paving or kerbs.
Step 3
Boulders are transported to our Brooklyn yard and grouped according to their end-product suitability. They are then sent to the wire saws for primary processing into billets. Once in billets, they are further assessed for suitability to meet standards for either paving or kerbs.
Step 4
Billets are moved to the multiblade saws to be processed into slabs for paving material. Alternatively, they are moved to the block saws for kerb production.
Step 4
Billets are moved to the multiblade saws to be processed into slabs for paving material. Alternatively, they are moved to the block saws for kerb production.
Step 5
Slabs are sent to the bridge saws for paver production. Blocks are sent to CNC machines for kerb production, both straight and radial.
Step 5
Slabs are sent to the bridge saws for paver production. Blocks are sent to CNC machines for kerb production, both straight and radial.
Step 6
We perform a final quality check before products are packed onto pallets. At this stage, our clients are welcome to inspect their bluestone in our factory. Once approved and signed off, the pallets are prepared for dispatch.
Step 6
We perform a final quality check before products are packed onto pallets. At this stage, our clients are welcome to inspect their bluestone in our factory. Once approved and signed off, the pallets are prepared for dispatch.
Sustainability
VBQ is committed to sustainable development in environmental, social and economic responsibility, to minimise harm and maximise benefit to our environment and our local community. Our bluestone is 100% recyclable. We activate our sustainability commitment via a Policy that guides us to:
- Implement actions across the “Triple Bottom Line” sustainability areas: environmental, social and economic benefits.
- Engage with our suppliers and customers to improve the sustainability and performance of our supply chain.
- Explore and innovate with alternative business practices to continually improve our practices.
- Create and promote an environmentally sustainable and responsible culture throughout our organisation.
Local Product
We source all our beautiful Victorian bluestone from our local quarry and cut it at our nearby facility, minimising product mileage and lead times. The consistent source assures our products’ quality and appearance. A proven classic, local bluestone’s natural composition is adaptable and durable enough to suit a variety of settings and safety requirements that prolong asset life and reduce maintenance needs. Clients have the benefit of direct communication with their supplier and are welcome to visit our facility to monitor their job if they are curious.
No Waste
Our bluestone is cut to exacting specifications at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Any offcut stone is used as crazy paving or cobblestone product, or occasionally ground down for other material use.
Recycled Water
VBQ actively seeks to reduce the amount of water consumed in the stone cutting process by recycling water through a water purification plant. Remaining silt is used as road base, clean fill or fertilizer. Water harvesting is also conducted using water tanks collecting rainwater for use by machinery.