Versatile turf reshapes streetscapes
By Nathan Edwards
In the pursuit of sustainable urban landscapes, local councils are increasingly turning to turf solutions that combine visual appeal with long-term efficiency. Shellharbour City Council’s roundabout redevelopments in Oak Flats and Shellharbour, NSW, provide a striking example of how the right turf selection can deliver lasting benefits for both communities and maintenance teams.
Oak Flats
The Central Avenue and Pioneer Drive roundabout was originally landscaped as a garden bed near key public infrastructure. This is a high-traffic location that presented ongoing maintenance challenges for council with frequent gardening, traffic control measures and significant water use. This made upkeep costly and labour-intensive, while exposing workers to safety risks.
In April 2021, Shellharbour City Council embarked on a major landscaping upgrade. After community consultation and design discussions with NSW Police, the council removed the garden beds and vegetation, prepared the soil and installed a smart irrigation system. A thick base of washed-river sand (150–250mm) was laid before installing Sir Grange Zoysia (Zoysia matrella), a fine-bladed, low maintenance turf variety. Complementary small trees were also planted to enhance the site’s visual appeal. The Sir Grange Zoysia was supplied by local turf producer Turfco. The team at Turfco worked with council throughout the entire project, from preparation and installation, right through to post-install establishment to ensure the project’s success.
Turfco operates across more than 200 acres on multiple farms in the Berry region in NSW. Family-owned and operated, the business is focused on quality, service and providing innovative turf solutions.
Beyond residential lawns, Turfco has been at the forefront of council landscaping with Sir Grange Zoysia providing a superior alternative to other ground coverings or mulch in high-traffic areas like roundabouts, medians and roadside verges. Sir Grange delivers a lush, low-maintenance, uniform appearance while naturally suppressing weeds, reducing herbicide use and lowering long-term maintenance costs. Unlike mulch, which scatters, decomposes, or needs replacement, Sir Grange establishes as a living surface that improves with time.
Post-installation, maintenance needs dropped dramatically:
- Mowing and visits were reduced from ten per year to just two
- Fertilising was reduced to one treatment, then phased out entirely after a year
- Watering requirements were eliminated after establishment
- Traffic control costs were cut to occasional, needs-based visits at $150 each
- Labour inputs were minimised, freeing staff for other council priorities
Nine months after installation, the roundabout maintained a lush, green look with virtually no ongoing intervention, a stark contrast to the high-maintenance approach of the past.
Shellharbour
The Croome Road roundabout in Shellharbour is the location of an installation known as the ‘Cowabout’, created by artist Jane Cavanough. These sculptures were relocated here from their original location at the Albion Park Community Centre. Shellharbour City Council completed this project in September 2025, fully funded by existing resources, to add a local artistic feature to the existing roundabout and to alleviate existing issues by installing 1,200m2 of Sir Grange Zoysia once again.
Council was fortunate to have a great group of 1st and 2nd year Council apprentices on site, learning how to properly lay turf from their expert team. It was a great team effort and a valuable skill-sharing experience.
Several successful installations have occurred since the first roundabout was completed back in 2021, with Council adopting Sir Grange in a range of areas with similar benefits.
Long-term benefits
The Shellharbour project highlights how a strategic choice of turf can achieve multiple objectives:
- Aesthetic value: Year-round, lush green appearance
- Durability: Excellent drought tolerance and resilience
- Environmental impact: Significant reduction in water and chemical use
- Public satisfaction: Visibly improved public space
- Operational efficiency: Council resources redirected to higher-priority areas
- Safety: Fewer hours spent by staff in high-risk road environments
- Urban cooling: Turf’s natural cooling effect reduces local heat levels
Quality assurance
Sir Grange Zoysia is AusGAP-certified, guaranteeing genetic purity, production quality and installation standards. This program, supported by Turfco, ensures every turf roll meets stringent industry benchmarks.
Shellharbour City Council’s investment in Sir Grange Zoysia demonstrates that sustainable landscaping is not just an environmental choice but a cost-saving, safety-enhancing and community-pleasing solution. By replacing high-maintenance garden beds with premium turf, the council has created a visually stunning roundabout that will remain beautiful and resilient for years to come.
Nathan Edwards
Lawn Solutions Australia
E: nathan@lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au
W: lawnsolutionsaustralia.com.au