Month: June 2026

Creating a Rooftop Green Space with Sir Grange

By Luke Blanch, Owner of Transition Landscaping

I completed my apprenticeship and Certificate III in Landscape Construction 15 years ago on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, working on high-end architectural projects, before starting my own business.

Transition Landscaping is a small structural landscaping company located in Jervis Bay on the South Coast of NSW. Our full-time team consists of two structural landscapers and a carpenter. We also work with an experienced network of highly skilled sub-contractors.

In the early days of Transition Landscaping, we travelled extensively between Sydney and Batemans Bay for work. These days, most of our projects are local, primarily between Huskisson and Hyams Beach. We offer high-quality soft and hard landscaping, with a focus on craftmanship and attention to detail.

Recently we completed landscaping for a project built by Tim Clout Building, commencing in February 2023 and completed in May 2025. It stands as one of the largest projects Transition Landscaping has undertaken, with our crew on site almost continuously for nine months.

Every aspect of the project required close attention to detail, and nothing was overlooked. Despite several sleepless nights, full credit goes to Tim and his team for delivering an almost flawless operation. Their projects are consistently well organised and run smoothly.

While the original plan provided a strong foundation, as is often the case in landscaping, the project evolved as construction progressed. Our client brought a clear vision to the project, with a background in design and floristry. This was a rewarding experience working closely together creatively to achieve the desired outcome.

The eastern boundary of the property borders a bush reserve, and the home was designed so that all major living areas overlook this aspect. The cabana sits directly in line with the kitchen, living, and dining areas, with its roof at approximately the same level as the internal floor and balcony. Early in the project, the decision was made to transform the cabana roof into a green space.

Cabana Rooftop Grass Installation

Initial concepts included large boulders surrounded by crushed river pebbles, with clumped areas of Sir Grange Zoysia turf. Transition Landscaping regularly use Sir Grange in this way to soften gravel pathways and complement stepping stones. Its soft, wavy growth habit and low maintenance requirements make it ideal for this application.

Ultimately, the decision was made to simplify the design and cover the entire cabana roof with Sir Grange. The intention was to soften the appearance of the concrete roof rather than make it a feature. Left largely to establish naturally, the green tones of the Sir Grange blend seamlessly with the surrounding bushland backdrop.

We sourced Sir Grange through local supplier Turfco. We have collaborated on numerous projects in recent years with Turfco and they have always supplied the highest quality turf.

The cabana roof is constructed from 250mm think reinforced concrete, graded to the corners with stormwater outlets to manage runoff. Structurally, it was more than capable of supporting a rooftop garden.

We engaged Southern Fab who specialises in Aluminium installations to construct a powder-coated aluminium edge system, bolted to the perimeter of the roof, allowing us to achieve a consistent finished level for the soil profile. The dark grey colour was selected to match the handrails, windows and other architectural elements.

The concrete roof was first waterproofed, then covered with a full layer of geotextile fabric. A 30mm Atlantis drainage cell system was installed across the entire surface, followed by another layer of geotextile fabric. A sandy loam turf underlay mix from Terara Sands was then installed to an average depth of 150mm.

Subsoil drip irrigation was installed at 350mm spacings to irrigate the Sir Grange, chosen specifically to avoid overspray. For future projects of this nature, we would also consider incorporating a pop-up spray system to better manage extreme heat conditions. The Sir Grange turf was then installed like any other turf installation.

Regular watering was maintained until the turf established strong root growth. During establishment, we experienced some drying at the edges, due to a combination of dark edging, sandy soil and shallow soil depth. Post-establishment, this has been minimal, occurring only during the hottest summer days.

Twelve months on, the rooftop Sir Grange has performed exceptionally well. It has largely been left to establish naturally, with minimal maintenance required. Ongoing care has primarily involved clearing leaf litter that has settled on top of the grass after strong winds. The turf has been mown twice now to encourage dense growth, and a fertiliser program using Lawn Solutions Pro Plus Fertiliser has been implemented to support the fine leaf structure.

The performance of Sir Grange in this setting has been outstanding, proving its versatility beyond traditional applications. It’s a finish that not only looks the part but will continue to deliver over time.

Twin View Turf Resurfaces Gallas Fox Park

For the Roma Echidnas Rugby Union Club, Gallas Fox Park is more than just a playing field. It is the heart of rugby in the Maranoa region. A venue that has hosted generations of players, drawn crowds from across southwest Queensland and played a vital role in the town’s sporting culture.

In 2024, the club took a major step toward securing the future of the game in Roma by undertaking a complete resurfacing of the main field and training area. Working alongside Twin View Turf, Maranoa Regional Council, and a dedicated group of volunteers, the Echidnas transformed the surface into a modern, resilient rugby field capable of hosting major events and supporting the club’s growing participation base.

The project combined careful engineering, innovative turf selection and strong community collaboration to overcome the unique challenges of building a high-quality sporting surface in remote regional Queensland.

Designing Drainage for a Flat Landscape

One of the biggest challenges facing the project team was the natural topography of the site.

Gallas Fox Park sits on extremely flat ground, meaning there are no natural low points or existing stormwater services available to easily drain the field. In many sports field projects, drainage systems simply outlet into nearby stormwater infrastructure, but at Roma this option didn’t exist.

The first step was to take a detailed survey of the field surface. From this data, a design was developed that carefully balanced surface runoff and subsurface drainage, ensuring water could move effectively across and through the soil profile without creating uneven playing conditions.

Designing the correct fall across such a flat surface required precision. The finished field needed to shed water efficiently while still appearing visually level and providing consistent footing for players.

Once the design was finalised, construction work began.

Rebuilding the Field from the Ground Up

The first stage of construction involved tilling the surface, breaking up the existing soil profile and removing compaction that had built up over years of use. This process helped blend the soil layers into a more uniform base for the new root zone.

Following this, the field underwent laser grading, a highly accurate method of reshaping the ground to match the planned finished surface levels. This process required over 1500m2 of soil to be moved by laser-controlled equipment. This ensured the field slopes were precise, allowing water to move correctly across the surface.

With the ground profile prepared, the next step was installing the drainage infrastructure.

Installing Subsurface Drainage

A new subsurface drainage system was installed across the entire field at 7.5-metre spacing, forming a network designed to quickly remove surface water and excess moisture from the turf root zone. There was over 2.6km of draincoil and PVC pipe installed to complete the drainage system on this project.

Effective drainage is critical for rugby fields, where repeated tackles, scrums and heavy foot traffic can quickly damage a saturated surface. By allowing water to move away from the playing surface quickly, the drainage system helps maintain a firm, stable field that can recover more quickly between games.

The drainage network was carefully integrated into the reshaped soil profile, ensuring it would function effectively despite the flat conditions of the site.

Building the Growing Medium

With the drainage system in place, attention turned to creating the growing medium that would support the turf.

More than 1,250 tonnes of sand growing medium were imported to the site and blended with soil amendments and organic materials. This mixture provides an ideal root zone for sports turf, balancing excellent drainage with the ability to retain nutrients and moisture.

Once spread across the field, the sand profile was laser levelled once again to achieve the final playing surface levels. This carefully constructed base created a stable and free-draining platform ready for turf installation.

Turf Installation Becomes a Community Effort

Installing the turf was one of the most rewarding stages of the project and a clear demonstration of Roma’s strong community spirit.

Over 9,500 square metres of washed TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda turf was laid across the main field over three days.

The installation brought together Maranoa Regional Council staff, Roma Echidnas players and club volunteers, all working together to roll out pallets of turf across the field.

Twin View Turf’s Trent Hobson assisted with laser levelling and ensured pallets were positioned correctly to keep the installation running smoothly. The quality of the turf itself was immediately evident. Despite being harvested only days earlier, the turf arrived with a thick, healthy and vibrant root system, with roots already extending well beyond 60 millimetres. This strong root development helped the grass establish quickly once laid.

Seeing the field take shape over just a few days was a proud moment for everyone involved.

Establishing the Training Field

While the main field was fully turfed, the adjacent training field was established using a different method. On 23 December, the training field was planted using TifTuf stolons, allowing the grass to spread naturally across the prepared soil surface.

The two fields were planted several weeks apart to ensure the irrigation system could maintain adequate watering during the extreme summer heat of Central Queensland. This staggered approach helped protect the young turf and allowed both surfaces to establish successfully.

Choosing Turf for Roma’s Conditions

Selecting the right grass variety was one of the most important decisions in the project. Roma’s irrigation water presents a significant challenge. Testing has shown very alkaline water with pH levels between 9.5 and 9.9, which can create long-term soil health problems and place stress on many turf species.

To ensure the new field would perform under these conditions, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda grass was trialled on site six months before construction began. Three small areas were planted across the field and monitored throughout the winter playing season.

The results were impressive. TifTuf proved capable of handling Roma’s extreme winter conditions, including numerous frosts and temperatures well below 0°C. It also demonstrated excellent tolerance to the alkaline irrigation water.

Another key benefit is TifTuf’s exceptional drought tolerance, meaning the field requires less irrigation overall. Using less water helps reduce the amount of alkaline irrigation entering the soil, limiting the gradual increase in soil pH over time.

Delivering the Project Within Budget

Like many regional sporting organisations, the Roma Echidnas needed to complete the project within a limited budget. The resurfacing was supported by Federal Government funding through the Women in Sport grants program, helping improve facilities and encourage broader participation in rugby.

To keep costs manageable, both the club and Maranoa Regional Council undertook portions of the project themselves, contributing labour and equipment wherever possible. This cooperative approach ensured the resurfacing could be completed without compromising the quality of the final field.

A Successful First Test

The newly resurfaced field faced its first major test just eight weeks after the turf was installed, when Gallas Fox Park hosted the Santos Roma Rugby 7’s tournament. The event featured more than 13 hours of rugby across two days, including warm-ups, training sessions and competitive matches.

Despite the heavy schedule, the new surface performed exceptionally well, providing a stable and high-quality playing field throughout the tournament.

For Trent Hobson of Twin View Turf, the whole project was a rewarding experience.

“Working with the rugby club and seeing the volunteers chip in to make the project happen was incredibly satisfying,” he said. “Hearing the feedback after the Rugby 7’s made all the hard work worthwhile.”

The success of the resurfacing has already drawn attention from the wider rugby community. Representatives from Queensland Rugby Union have visited Gallas Fox Park and were highly impressed with the quality of the playing surface. Their visit has helped pave the way for Roma to host another major event later this year. In September, the town will welcome the Santos Festival of Rugby, where the Queensland Reds are scheduled to play a match in Roma.

For the Roma Echidnas and the wider community, the resurfacing of Gallas Fox Park represents more than just a new field. It is an investment in the future of rugby in regional Queensland, supporting players, attracting major events and strengthening the local sporting community.

Through careful planning, technical expertise and a remarkable volunteer effort, Roma now has a rugby field ready to host the next generation.

How investment in turf technology is reshaping performance

Alves Filho – Agronomist | Sports Turf Manager at Aspire Sports Turf

The turfgrass sector has experienced a significant transformation in recent years, largely driven by rapid technological advancement. From elite football pitches to prestigious golf courses and expansive public landscapes, the industry is increasingly leveraging data analytics, automation, robotics, and applied science to deliver surfaces that are not only aesthetically superior but also high-quality, resilient and performance oriented.

In today’s high-performance context, data collection at field level has become indispensable. It supports not only agronomic aspects of grass maintenance but also plays a critical role in athlete performance and safety.

Genetic innovation has been a key enabler in this shift, supporting the development of turfgrass varieties with reduced requirements for water, fertiliser, and chemical inputs. These improved cultivars, when integrated with modern management technologies, demonstrate enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses such as extreme temperatures, salinity, high traffic intensity and directly supporting global sustainability goals.

The adoption of digital tools and precision technologies continues to reshape day-to-day operations. Mobile applications, smart irrigation systems, soil sensors, supplemental grow lighting, drones, autonomous mowing units, and robotic line-marking are just few examples of technology used in modern turfgrass maintenance and, they are becoming standard components of a data-driven management approach focused on efficiency, consistency, and resource optimisation.

At the same time, complex site-specific challenges remain central to decision-making. Factors such as shaded environments, suboptimal or saline irrigation water, poorly drained soils, lack of air circulation, and the selection of appropriate species or cultivars must be carefully evaluated. These considerations extend beyond agronomy into operational and strategic domains, including competition scheduling, staff alignment, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. Effective turf management therefore requires continuous collaboration among all parties involved, from design and construction through maintenance and usage.

Having had the opportunity to closely follow the sector’s evolution over the years, it is evident that continuous professional development is no longer optional, it is essential. The breadth of technologies and responsibilities associated with modern turfgrass management demands ongoing engagement with training programs, technical seminars, workshops, site visits, and professional knowledge exchange.

I recently attended the SGL Masterclass 2026, which provided direct exposure to iconic facilities in the United Kingdom. Through technical presentations and behind-the-scenes stadium tours, more than a hundred professionals from around the world gained valuable insights into infrastructure, maintenance logistics, and operational standards at the highest level. Notably, the sustained dominance of European football clubs, particularly those competing in the Premier League, reflects consistent investment in advanced infrastructure and high-performance environments, including both stadiums and training complexes.

Routine testing, particularly for traction and surface hardness as an example, may become an essential practice in managing injury risk, especially concerning knee and ankle ligaments. While you cannot fully eliminate injuries, well-managed turfgrass pitches significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents associated with poor pitch conditions. In this sense, pitch quality is a risk mitigation tool as much as it is a performance variable.

Readings such as surface hardness, rotational traction, soil moisture, and height of cut (HOC) directly influence pitch quality and match dynamics. These parameters affect player’s speed, surface stability, ball roll and ball bounce characteristics, and injury risk.

From a financial perspective, the cost associated with player injuries can far exceed the investment required for advanced turf technologies and maintenance practices. Consequently, elite organisations increasingly view the playing surface as a strategic asset, prioritising precision management to safeguard player availability and long-term performance.

This paradigm shift can also drive greater integration between agronomy department (turfgrass management) and sports science departments (physical education, physiotherapy, orthopedics). What were once isolated functions may now be part of a broader, transdisciplinary performance framework. Data sharing, collaborative analysis, and continuous feedback loops can enable more informed decisions, positioning the playing surface as an active contributor to both performance outcomes and athlete welfare.

Beyond performance considerations, the quality of the playing surface is a critical component of the broadcast product. With millions of viewers worldwide, visual presentation plays a significant role in audience perception. Uniformity of grass cover, colour, sward density, and playability standards must meet the highest expectations.

Major competitions including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and La Liga, have long recognised the importance of playing surfaces as part of their global product offering. This also extends to other elite-sports performed on grass such as golf, American football, rugby, and horse racing, where surface quality is integral to both performance and presentation.

In my opinion, organisations that integrate turfgrass expertise into their decision-making frameworks are better positioned to optimise resources, safeguard athletes and users, and elevate the overall quality of their product. In this context, turfgrass management is not simply an operational function, it is a strategic pillar of the industry.

Max Stephenson, Twin View Turf

There are people within every industry who build successful businesses, and then there are the rare few who help build the industry itself.

This year at the Lawn Solutions Australia Conference, Queensland turf producer Max Stephenson was inducted into the Lawn Solutions Australia Hall of Fame, one of the highest honours the group can bestow.

It is an award that is not handed out lightly. Over the past two decades it has only been presented four times, reflecting exactly what the award represents. The Hall of Fame is not about annual sales figures or business growth. It recognises a lifetime of contribution to the Australian turf industry and to the people within it.

For more than 30 years, Max has been one of the defining personalities of Australian turf. He has been a producer, innovator, mentor, problem solver and trusted voice within the industry, but above all else, he has always been someone willing to help.

Anyone who has spent time around the turf industry knows Max, and most people probably have a story about him. It may have been advice over the phone, a visit to help solve a problem, a blunt but honest opinion shared across a conference table, or a late-night conversation at an industry event somewhere around the world. Over the years, Max has had an impact on countless people throughout the industry.

From Pineapples to Turf

Long before Twin View Turf became one of Australia’s most recognised turf businesses, Max’s background was firmly planted in agriculture.

After growing tobacco, capsicums and other small crops, Max spent many years in the pineapple industry. He sold whole fruit as well as fresh-cut and packaged pineapple to supermarkets, which at the time was considered a revolutionary concept.

Pineapple farming, however, came with enormous risk. A crop could take two years from planting to harvest and bad weather at the wrong time could wipe out an entire season. As industry conditions changed, Max began exploring other opportunities. He investigated everything from vegetables to aquaculture before ultimately deciding turf was the future.

The appeal was simple. If the weather turned bad, you could simply keep mowing it. As soon as a pineapple paddock was harvested, the rotary hoe followed behind.

In 1996, Twin View Turf was established with approximately 55,000 square metres of turf production. From those beginnings, Max helped grow the business into one of the true success stories of the Australian turf industry.

Today, Twin View Turf operates across more than 600 acres in production, produces over 800,000 square metres of turf annually and employs more than 50 staff across the business. Based at Wamuran in south-east Queensland, the company has become widely recognised not only for residential turf supply, but also for premium sports turf production, sports field construction and industry-leading service.

An Innovator by Nature

Innovation has always been central to Max’s approach.

If a new piece of machinery arrived on the farm, there was every chance it would spend its first day in the workshop being modified with an oxy torch, grinder and welder. Max has never been satisfied with simply accepting something as good enough.

He was an early adopter of technology across turf production and logistics and continually searched for ways to improve efficiency and turf quality.

One example that has become part of industry folklore was his experience with one of the first Trebro Autoslab harvesters. While Max loved the idea of automated harvesting, he was frustrated by the performance of the vacuum system on the machine. Rather than accepting the limitations, he designed and built the first hook-and-bump system, reflecting the practical and hands-on way he has always approached problem solving.

That mindset extended well beyond his own farm.

Throughout his career, Max has contributed knowledge, planting material and practical support to industry research projects and turf development initiatives. He worked closely with researchers and fellow producers and was involved in supplying material for trials into warm-season turf varieties and saline-tolerant grasses in Australia.

A Presence Across the Industry

For decades, Max has been a familiar face at conferences, field days and industry events both across Australia and internationally.

Long before global industry travel became commonplace, Max was building friendships and networks throughout the turf world. Many within the industry still talk about the “pineapple days”, when conference attendance often meant loading up stories, opinions and ideas and travelling wherever the next opportunity to learn existed.

That willingness to connect with people has become one of Max’s defining traits. He has built a remarkable network of friends across the globe and has always been generous in sharing what he has learned.

If someone in the industry had a problem, Max was often one of the first people to offer advice. It was never polished corporate language or carefully filtered responses. It was practical, direct and based on real experience.

That honesty is part of what people respect most about him. Max has always been unapologetically himself, quick with an opinion, fiercely passionate and completely authentic. People have always known exactly where they stood with him.

Beneath that directness has always been someone deeply invested in helping others succeed. It is a quality many within Lawn Solutions Australia have benefited from over the years. There would be very few members within the group who have not learned something from Max at some point in their career.

Life Beyond Turf

Outside the turf industry, Max’s appetite for adventure has been just as strong. For many years he was heavily involved in deep scuba diving before eventually deciding that exploring extreme depths might not be entirely compatible with a long and healthy life.

That search for adventure eventually led him towards another passion, vintage cars and international rallying. Through clients and friends, Max discovered the world of endurance motoring events, where he could combine several of his greatest interests, fixing things, navigating, travelling and spending time with family.

In a 1921 Vauxhall, Max has completed extraordinary journeys across the globe, often accompanied by his wife Julie or his sons. His travels have included routes from Beijing to Paris, London to Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro to Ushuaia, along with countless journeys of more than 10,000 kilometres throughout Europe.

Like everything Max does, these adventures have become less about the destination and more about the stories, friendships and experiences collected along the way.

A Deserving Honour

The Lawn Solutions Australia Hall of Fame exists to recognise people whose contribution extends far beyond their own business. It recognises people who help shape the culture, standards and future of the industry.

Max Stephenson embodies that perfectly.

His contribution to Australian turf has been immense, not only through the success of Twin View Turf, but through the people he has helped, the knowledge he has shared and the standards he has pushed the industry towards.

For many, Max represents the spirit that built the Australian turf industry. He is hardworking, innovative, independent, generous and deeply passionate about what he does. There are countless stories that could be told about Max Stephenson, but perhaps the simplest summary is this. The industry is better because he has been part of it. Congratulations to Max Stephenson on his induction into the Lawn Solutions Australia Hall of Fame, a truly deserving recognition for a lifetime dedicated to turf.

Turf Placemats at a Byron Bay Wellness Retreat

In February 2026, a private resort in Byron Bay became the setting for an immersive wellness retreat that redefined modern luxury, grounded not in excess but in intention. Designed and curated by ONSO Atelier for Chemist Warehouse and Melrose Future Labs, the three-day experience brought together a select group of guests to explore the evolving science of longevity and healthy ageing.

At the heart of the retreat was a simple but profound philosophy. Wellbeing is cumulative. Through a series of thoughtfully curated experiences, guests were guided across the essential pillars of vitality, including nutrition, movement, sleep, genetics, mental wellbeing, and social connection. Melrose Future Labs’ science-led approach anchored the program, emphasising cellular health and energy metabolism as the foundation for long-term wellness.

Among the many carefully considered details, one element stood out for its originality: freshly cut turf placemats.

Where Nature Meets the Table

The concept was as unexpected as it was striking. Nicole of ONSO Atelier envisioned dining tables set not with traditional linens, but with living, breathing pieces of landscape. Individual squares of lush turf were cut fresh and placed beneath each setting.

To bring this vision to life, Tyagarah Turf, a family-run farm located just 15 minutes from Byron Bay, was commissioned to create 24 bespoke placemats, each measuring 500 millimetres by 500 millimetres.

“It was a completely unique request,” the team recalls. “We had never produced anything like it before, but that is what made it so exciting.”

Before sunrise on the day of delivery, the process began. A carefully selected section of TifTuf turf, chosen for its vibrant colour and slightly longer blade, was harvested in larger slabs. Rather than reconfiguring machinery for such a small run, the team opted for a more hands-on approach. Each piece was meticulously measured and hand-cut.

The finishing touch lay in the handling. Each square was stacked grass to grass to preserve its integrity and prevent soil transfer, ensuring the final presentation was as refined as the concept itself.

Delivery to the venue, Belle Helena Private Resort, was a moment in itself. Set at the end of a winding, tree-lined drive, the property offered a secluded, natural backdrop that perfectly complemented the event’s ethos.

As the installation came together, the turf placemats transformed the dining experience, blurring the line between environment and design. The result was both tactile and visual, a tablescape that quite literally grounded guests in nature.

For Nicole and her team, the outcome was exactly as envisioned. For Tyagarah Turf, it was an opportunity to step beyond traditional applications and contribute to a creative project in a new way.

Cultivating More Than Turf

Established in 1979, Tyagarah Turf has grown into a respected supplier within the Northern Rivers region, servicing areas from Iluka to the Queensland border and inland to Lismore, Casino, and Kyogle. Now part of the Lawn Solutions Australia network, the farm has undergone significant transformation under current ownership.

In recent years, progress has not come without challenges. Severe weather events and repeated flooding have tested both resilience and resolve. Through persistence and a commitment to quality, the farm has steadily evolved and now produces a range of premium turf varieties.

Beyond the product itself, what stands out is a deep connection to the industry. “It is more than just business,” the team reflects. “There is a genuine sense of community, with people supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and wanting to see each other succeed.”

Experiential design continues to push boundaries and the use of turf as a tablescaping element speaks to a broader shift toward authenticity, sensory engagement, and immersion into the natural world.

At this Byron Bay retreat, something as simple as grass became a defining detail. Not just decorative, but symbolic of growth, grounding, and the quiet luxury of thoughtful design.

For those who experienced it, it is unlikely they will look at a place setting the same way again.

Cobbitty Turf Celebrates 40 years

More than 40 years ago, Geoff Hatton Senior made a decision that would shape not only his future, but that of an entire family business. After years in greenkeeping, he was ready for a change.

“I was sick of working under committees. I wanted to go into business for myself.”

With a strong background in golf course construction and landscaping, Geoff began working across large-scale projects while holding onto a bigger ambition, owning his own turf farm. That vision stayed with him for years as he searched for land up and down the coast. An early opportunity in Cobbitty in 1985 slipped through his fingers, but not long after, a chance conversation led him to approach Sydney University with an idea. He offered to lease land to start a turf farm. They agreed, and from there everything began to unfold.

Building the Foundations of Cobbitty Turf

By 1987, Geoff and his family had purchased their first property, 43 acres at Theresa Park. The land had previously grown turf, but only a poor-quality kikuyu that was not suitable for harvesting. Undeterred, Geoff worked tirelessly, balancing farm work with landscaping jobs and council contracts while building the family home on weekends.

In the early years, progress was slow. The original kikuyu failed to meet expectations, prompting a fresh start. A new variety, Greenlees Park couch, was planted along the river flats and marked a turning point. “I will never forget mowing it with my little three gang trailing mower. They were some of the best days of my life.”

A Defining Moment in 40 Years of Cobbitty Turf

From there, the farm steadily expanded. The mid 1990s brought a pivotal moment for both the business and the wider turf industry. Alongside respected industry figures, Geoff was introduced to a new buffalo grass variety being developed by Brent Redman.

Recognising its potential immediately, the group encouraged formal registration and patenting. Soon after, licences were issued for what is now known as Sir Walter DNA Certified, a variety that would go on to become one of Australia’s most recognised turf grasses. The Hattons were among the first licensed growers.

Expanding the Reach of Cobbitty Turf

As the business grew, so too did its reach. Over the next two decades, the Hattons remained closely connected to their roots in sports turf construction. It was during this time that Geoff Hatton Junior became more involved in the overall management of the business.

From Adelaide to Darwin, they delivered high-quality sports fields, contributed to major golf course projects, and played a significant role in horse racing track construction. Their expertise led to involvement with five Olympic venues for the Sydney 2000 Games, including acting as principal contractor for two and maintaining the softball and baseball facilities in Blacktown throughout the event.

During this period, Geoff Snr also identified an opportunity that would expand the business further. After attending an international turf conference in the United States, he discovered the Koro Field Topmaker system, now known as Koro by Imants FTM.

Bringing this technology back to Australia helped transform turf renovation practices. The family became Australasian distributors and continue in that role today through their sister company, Sustainable Machinery, which represents brands including Imants, Foley and Vredo.

From walk behind Ryan turf cutters and manual loading to robotic harvesters and mechanised delivery systems, the evolution of Cobbitty Turf has reflected the broader changes in the industry. Throughout it all, the focus has remained on producing high quality turf. Joining the Lawn Solutions Australia network strengthened this commitment, providing Cobbitty Turf with access to some of the most amazing cultivars and species in turfgrass available, keeping their pride of product intact.

For the next generation, Geoff Jnr’s children Alex and Allira Hatton, the journey has included significant challenges. In 2022, devastating floods brought operations to a complete stop. Three major flood events within 12 months caused widespread damage and left a lasting impact. “Hearing the air rising from the ground for days after the water went down, and dealing with the aftermath is something that stays with you.”

For nearly six months, not a single roll of certified turf was sold. What followed was two years of rebuilding, paddock by paddock, with a small team of just Geoff Jnr, Alex and Allira. It was a defining period for the business.

The Future of Cobbitty Turf

Today, the farm is thriving once again. Lush green paddocks are back in production, turf is being harvested daily, and deliveries are running six days a week. For Alex and Allira, the transformation has been remarkable. “It is the best we have ever seen the place. The people we work with now are amazing and we have built a strong culture where everyone has each other’s backs.”

More than just a business, Cobbitty Turf remains a family legacy built on hard work, innovation and a genuine passion for turf. Alex and Allira reflect on this journey, “There are still challenges ahead, but that is how we have always grown, and we hope that’s how it will always be. If we are honest with you, we are proud to be a part of it.”

“After 40 years doing what we do best, we just have one question… where did the time go?”

Outfield Renovation by Fineturf

In 2025, a landmark resurfacing project was undertaken on the Main Outfield at Lord’s Cricket Ground, marking the first full renovation of this iconic surface in 24 years. Commissioned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the project represented a significant investment in preserving the quality, performance, and heritage of the Home of Cricket. Fineturf was proud to be entrusted with delivering this prestigious project, drawing on decades of experience in elite sports turf construction and renovation.

Lord’s Cricket Ground is globally recognised as the spiritual home of cricket, hosting historic Test matches, One Day Internationals, and domestic fixtures, as well as being a symbol of tradition and excellence within the sport. The condition of the outfield plays a vital role in both the quality of play and the presentation of the ground, requiring exceptional levels of consistency, drainage, and resilience. With the surface having supported countless iconic moments over more than two decades, the 2025 renovation was designed to futureproof the outfield while respecting its legacy.

Ahead of renovation works commencing, MCC offered its members a unique opportunity to take home a piece of cricketing history. Members were invited to purchase sections of the existing outfield turf as living memorabilia, allowing them to preserve a tangible link to the many historic matches played on the surface. To facilitate this carefully managed process, Fineturf harvested designated areas of the outfield over the first two days of the programme.

Fineturf worked closely with sister company Tillers Turf, who deployed their specialist FireFly slab harvester to precisely lift and prepare turf sections for collection. This ensured that each piece was removed cleanly and with minimal disturbance to surrounding areas, reflecting the care and attention required when working at such a revered venue.

Once the members’ harvest had been completed, Fineturf proceeded with stripping the remainder of the outfield using a tractor-mounted turf cutter. The removed turf and surface material were efficiently loaded into dump trailers by an experienced Fineturf operator using a loading shovel and removed from site, allowing works to progress safely and efficiently.

With the surface fully cleared, preparation of the underlying profile began. The outfield was Wiedenmann raked to loosen residual material and remove debris, before being thoroughly luted and dragmatted to achieve a smooth, level base. These processes are critical in elite sports turf construction, ensuring uniformity across the playing surface and creating the foundation for consistent ball roll and player safety.

To enhance drainage, soil structure, and long-term performance, 20 tonnes of Profile porous ceramic were applied across the outfield, followed by 270 tonnes of medium sports sand. Both materials were carefully incorporated into the surface, improving porosity and resilience while supporting healthy root development and reducing the risk of surface compaction.

A base fertiliser application of ICL Pearl 5-28-0 was then carried out to stimulate strong root establishment ahead of seeding. This was followed by deep tine aeration using a GKB 2.5m aerator, relieving compaction within the profile and improving oxygen exchange and water movement. Further luting and dragmatting ensured the sand and ceramic materials were fully integrated down the aeration channels, maximising their effectiveness.

Reseeding was undertaken using MM50 ryegrass, sown at a rate of 70 g/m². A Vredo disc seeder was used to sow in five directions, ensuring excellent seed-to-soil contact and even coverage across the entire outfield. This multi-directional approach supports uniform establishment, density, and wear tolerance, all essential for a high-performance cricket outfield.

To support balanced nutrition during establishment, two fertilisers were applied: Headland Multigreen 28-3-15 and Headland Greentech 6-5-18, each at 35 g/m². These products provide both immediate and sustained nutrient release, supporting healthy growth while promoting long-term turf stability.

To complete the renovation, a final pass was made using the Fineturf dimple seeder to ensure uniform seed distribution and fill any remaining gaps. Detailed hand seeding and finishing work were carried out around sprinkler heads, valve boxes, and perimeter areas, ensuring complete coverage and a seamless finish across the outfield.

This major renovation project highlights Fineturf’s ability to deliver complex, high-profile sports turf works at the very highest level. Through close collaboration with MCC and Tillers Turf, the 2025 renovation has created an outfield designed to meet world-class performance standards while honouring Lord’s rich history. The result is a surface built to serve the next generation of cricketing moments at the Home of Cricket.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Lawn Solutions Australia (LSA) is proud to once again be part of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), hosted at the Royal Exhibition Building and the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD. Renowned as one of the most anticipated events on the horticultural calendar, the show brings together leading landscape designers, industry experts, and garden enthusiasts to celebrate innovation, creativity, and all things flowers, gardens, and landscape design.

This year’s theme, Kaleidoscope, inspired a vibrant showcase of colour, texture, layering, and pattern throughout the displays.

The LSA stand, designed and constructed by Brad Chandler and the team from Venus Landscaping, showcased LSA’s premium turf varieties, including Sir Walter DNA Certified, TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda, Sir Grange Zoysia, Zoysia Australis, and our newest variety set to launch later this year, Stampede Hybrid Buffalo. From easy-care home lawns to highly manicured surfaces, the stand demonstrated that there is a turf variety suited to every space.

On the stand, Lawn Solutions members from across Victoria including ANCO Instant Turf, Coolabah Turf, Lilydale Instant Lawn, StrathAyr Instant Lawn, and Mallee Turf provided expert lawn care advice. They also guided visitors on selecting the most suitable turf varieties for their homes and gardens.

LSA also had the pleasure of presenting daily on the main stage at the Royal Exhibition Building. These presentations provided an opportunity to engage with attendees on how to choose the right turf variety based on lifestyle, maintenance requirements, and desired aesthetic, while also showcasing how LSA’s premium range had been thoughtfully incorporated throughout the show gardens

LSA was also featured on the much-loved TV program The Garden Gurus, hosted by Trevor Cochrane. Visiting the LSA stand, Trevor caught up with Joe Rogers for a discussion on all things turf. Joe guided him through the display, highlighting each variety and the unique characteristics that set them apart.

LSA Turf Varieties on Display Across the Show Gardens

Throughout the show, LSA’s premium turf varieties were thoughtfully incorporated across a range of garden displays, each complementing the overall design.

A standout among them was Sir Grange Zoysia, which featured prominently in several gardens. Its versatility was on full display, showcased both unmown for a sculptural, contemporary look and maintained as a manicured, short-cut surface. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for show gardens, where visual impact and texture are key.

Another highlight was Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, featured in the garden Love Blooms Here by Jason Hodges and Semken Landscaping. This premium variety created a lush, carpet-like green foundation that beautifully complemented the soft pastel tones of the surrounding planting.

Jason Hodges Show Garden

Jason Hodges’ garden not only showcased the beauty of Sir Walter DNA Certified but also served a unique purpose beyond a traditional show garden, it was designed to host a real wedding ceremony during the event. Newlyweds, Dean and Tayla, share a deep connection to the show, with Dean having contributed to MIFGS gardens over his 22-year career with Semken Landscaping.

This stunning space not only highlighted the elegance of Sir Walter DNA Certified and its surrounding plantings but also created a meaningful setting for the couple to celebrate their special day.

We the Wild – Matt York

“We the Wild” reflects the idea that every garden can enhance the broader ecology of its surroundings. Inspired by the windswept terrains of coastal Victoria, the design features striking plant selections, including Xanthorrhoea and flowing, unmown Sir Grange Zoysia. The garden was awarded the City of Melbourne Award of Excellence (Best in Show) and a Gold Medal.

Where We Gather – Emma Doman Design

Inspired by long, sun-drenched Queensland afternoons, “Where We Gather” creates a calming, contemporary, and restorative space, bringing luxury barefoot living to life. The design incorporates unmown Sir Grange Zoysia, oversized palms, and a selection of subtropical plants. The garden was awarded a Silver Medal.

The Future Garden – Jamie Durie

“The Future Garden” is a forward-thinking, sustainable space designed for everyday living. It incorporates recyclable materials and features planting that includes Australian native Westringia, Sir Walter DNA Certified lawn, and a diverse mix of native species.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone involved in planning, building, and bringing these incredible spaces to life at this year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. We look forward to seeing what next year’s event has in store.