Code of Practice - Irrigated Public Open Space - SA Water

5.4 Plant/turf species selection
Warm season turf grasses (Kikuyu or Couch) use 30 – 50%
less water than cool season turf grasses, (Fescues or Ryes).
The drought tolerance of warm season grasses is significantly
higher than the cool season grasses. Turf species should be
selected to meet the functional objective while minimising
water use.
Warm season turf grasses (Kikuyu or Couch) should be
used as the predominant turf grassspeciesforirrigated
public open space in South Australian conditions.
Where turf is subject to intensive winter activity such as
football, over sowing in autumn with a cool season turf
species such as a transitional rye grass will improve
wearability and recovery of the turf during the cooler months
without requiring additional water over the summer period.
5.5 Turf quality/‘fit for purpose’
Turf should be maintained to meet quality and risk
management standards appropriate for its intended use.
Sporting club associations and ground managers have a
duty of care to all people using facilities. This means that
sports facilities, including turf surface, must not present an
unacceptable risk of injury to those using the facilities.
Passive irrigated areas require a lower standard and have
lower risk ratings than active sports grounds. The standard
to which turf is maintained has significant impact on water
usage. Turf must be maintained at a level that ensures safety
for users and meets the functional objective. A passive
irrigated area can be maintained using up to 50% less water
than an active sportsground.
5.0 TURF & IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES
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Irrigated turf areas should be classified according to the
intended function and the ‘fit for purpose’ standard. Turf
can be rated according to the Turf Quality Visual Standard
(TQVS) classifications as detailed in Table No 1.
Turf quality and risk management standards should be
developed and include the following criteria:
• Turf Quality Visual Standards (TQVS) indicating
‘fit for use’ turf standards.
• Turf grass vigour and density.
• Evenness of turf surface.
• Cutting height of turf.
• Presence of weed species or pest infestation.
• Presence of divots, pot holes.
• Presence of sunken or raised sprinkler heads.
• Traction and shear strength of the turf.
• Ground hardness and impact severity.
• Associated infrastructure: goal posts, coaches’ boxes and
fences should also be assessed for safety.
The quality and risk standards should be detailed in a
quality and risk audit checklist which is used by the
organisation and the users to ensure risks have been
identified and appropriate controls have been put in place.
A risk assessment of the turf surface should be undertaken
weekly for active sports with a quality audit undertaken
monthly to monitor wear trends and turf quality.