2016-12-06 Services and Organisation Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              6 DECEMBER 2016


The Independent Turf Consultant also met with available staff of the sports clubs to discuss their
findings and provide an overview of turf management practices. During the presentation it
allowed clubs to ask specific questions about their field and what could be done to improve the
quality and safety of their facilities.

The audit covered:
•    Soil Testing - Taking core samples of the soil, test the nutrients and identify areas of
     concern. This included: nitrogen levels, organic matter, sulphur, zinc, chloride and sodium
     levels. Recommendations were given on supplementary nutrients needed, i.e. fertilisers,
     aeration etc.
•    Surface Undulation - Measure surface undulation across the fields and recommended
     remedy works to improve conditions and level out surfaces; options included returfing
     areas within goal mouths/high traffic areas. Annual top dressing may have also been
     recommended.
•    Turf Quality and Cover – The quantity and quality of the turf ground cover including areas
     of concern, i.e. bare patches of dirt, overused and high traffic zones.
•    Surface Hardness – The hardness of the playing surfaces was tested. If high readings
     were identified the likelihood of significant head injury is high and the playing field may be
     unsafe to play. De-compaction work may be required and recommended to reduce surface
     hardness, increase airflow within the soil and promote root development.
     Surface hardness is a significant issue. If fields are too hard, they may be deemed unsafe
     and unfit for play..
•    Turf height - Measure the height of the turf and advise recommended turf height of cut and
     frequency for the species of turf present.
•    Irrigation and Soil Moisture - Soil moisture and infiltration rates and recommended
     irrigation requirements to improve turf health, reduce surface hardness and compaction
     levels within the field.
•    Weed Identification - This identification will assist the club in ensuring a correct program
     of spraying of pre-emergent and post-emergent weeds is carried out.


2.   Audit Results

A total of 22 fields were assessed during the audit. An example of the audit is shown at
Attachment 1. It was identified that funding, resources and turf maintenance skills were lacking
in areas, however the clubs willingness to provide the best possible fields for their end users was
very strong.

Some general turf management principles were not being followed (e.g. mowing heights or field
usage), while other more complex areas (e.g. nutrition, pests and diseases) were difficult for the
clubs to know underlying problems exist within their fields.

The assessments identified some risk maintenance issues that need to be addressed which are
beyond the capabilities of the volunteer and the intent of the sports field maintenance funding
program. This includes surface hardness and disease, including nematodes with the soil, which
can be a significant problem for sporting clubs. It is recommended that annual testing be
undertaken to continue to provide independent information to the clubs and their ever changing
volunteers.




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