Pinnaroo is a rural town in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia over 200km east of Adelaide. It has a hot and dry climate with a majority farming community and is home to turf production business The Turf Farm.
Project Overview
The Pinnaroo Village Green Project is an exciting, 3 stage, 2-million-dollar rejuvenation project of the Pinnaroo central green area. This project, once completed, will be a huge boost to the local community, transforming an almost 92,000m2 unused, desert-like central area into a green haven of gorgeous landscapes, useful amenities and interactive areas.
The Daniel’s family-owned business, The Turf Farm have been involved in stage 1 with the supply of around 1,500m2 of Eureka Kikuyu, which has already made a huge difference to the look and feel of the town.
“The Pinnaroo Village Green Project aims to help revitalise the central green area adjacent the main street of Pinnaroo. The redevelopment aims to create places for fun, culture, recreation, tourism, social connection and economic growth. This will be achieved by adding or improving the amenities within the site as well as the functionality and layout of the area.”
There is a huge focus in this project to re- green the previously dry and dusty area with the abundant use of instant lawn, trees and plants. Stage 1 has almost been completed and has already stunningly altered the look and feel of Pinnaroo’s main street.
People and Businesses Involved
This project has been a huge accomplishment and milestone for the Southern Mallee District Council. They were granted funding for the project but have also contributed a significant amount of time and money also. Jason Taylor, CEO, has been a huge part in securing the funding and has been a credit to the Mallee community since he took the position.
WAX Design have been involved in consultation sessions with steering committee and the community, including an engagement workshop at the local Primary School. They have created detailed designs and documentation for the stages and the final Masterplan.
Undertaking the landscaping for stage1 is the South Australian commercial landscaping business LCS Landscapes. Southern Mallee District Council have formed a great relationship that they hope will continue in future projects.
Step by Step Process
As part of the local community, The Turf Farm were excited to hear of a project so close to home and to be involved in the initial community consultation back in November 2019. The Turf Farm contributed their ideas and recommendations for the project, including a suggestion of a giant roll of turf for the ‘Pinnaroo Big Thing.’ With part of the plan to revitalise Pinnaroo being the addition of an animated ‘big thing’ tourist attraction.
“An animated structure that can capture not just what we produce in the Mallee, but what is the spirit of the Mallee,” Deputy Mayor Paul Ireland said.
The Turf Farm provided recommendations, information and quotes to commercial landscapers throughout the tendering stages before supplying the turf to the successful LCS Landscapes during stage 1 of the project.
Turf Variety
The project has used Lawn Solutions Australia’s Eureka Kikuyu throughout and started with 180m2 supplied from The Turf Farm on the 20th of October 2021. With an additional 310m2 supplied on the 26th of October.
On the 3rd of December, The Turf Farm owner and part-time truck driver Paul Daniel pulled their semi up on Pinnaroo main street with a further 680m2 of turf, followed by 370m2 on the 7th of December. Bringing the total turf supplied for stage 1 to 1,540m2 so far.
Stages 2 and 3 will start sometime this year with an estimated completion date of December 2022.
The Turf Farm
It’s not often you get to be involved in a project of this size, let alone in your own community. The central area that divides Railway Terrace North and South in Pinnaroo has always been a dry and unloved piece of land, seemingly abandoned once the railway tracks were de-commissioned in 2015.
“We’re proud that the council and LCS Landscapes have been supporting local businesses throughout the project and that our lawn has been used in the main street. We also get the additional benefit of seeing our lawn almost every day and have already noticed the huge impact it has had on the community.” – The Turf Farm
The Turf Farm have had the pleasure of watching as travellers and locals alike enjoy the space and utilise the lawn areas for relaxation and fun.
“We’re looking forward to the next couple of stages and can’t wait to see the project completed at the end of the year.”
