I read about something extremely similar months ago. In my opinion, the idea is not Australian, the idea is Indian. I believe the man is known as "Recycle Man" and he, back in June/July, was using masks to make bricks/concrete. The plastic actually reinforces the strength.
Anyway, using masks to make bricks/concrete/etc. is a wonderful idea to give plastic masks another life yet before they get reinforced in our concrete/bricks/asphalt/etc. there are a bunch of things we can recycle/upcycle masks into before they meet said reinforcement.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/what-to-do-with-all-those-disposable-masks-turn-them-into-roads-researchers-say.html
Anyway, using masks to make bricks/concrete/etc. is a wonderful idea to give plastic masks another life yet before they get reinforced in our concrete/bricks/asphalt/etc. there are a bunch of things we can recycle/upcycle masks into before they meet said reinforcement.
www.nytimes.com/2021/02/09/world/what-to-do-with-all-those-disposable-masks-turn-them-into-roads-researchers-say.html