Turf management (mowing)

Council programs its grass-cutting schedule on a seasonal basis. The frequency of service increases in summer when grass grows faster, however, this can be disrupted by significant rainfall or periods of extended dry weather. In these events, services are rescheduled as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.

In most cases, Council follows the following mowing frequency for parks and roadside.

Parks

• High profile parks – 24 cuts per year
• Suburban parks – 15 to 18 cuts per year
• Sporting fields – weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter

Roads

• High profile main & connecting roads – 18 cuts per year
• Medium profile local streets and roads – 9 cuts per year
• Low profile main, local streets and roads – 6 cuts per year

Fire management

• Fire reduction zones – 9 cuts per year

Islands

• Coochiemudlo Island parks and roads – 12 cuts per year
• Coochiemudlo Island sporting field – fortnightly
• South Moreton Bay Islands medium profile roads – 12 cuts per year
• South Moreton Bay Islands low profile roads – 6 cuts per year
• Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) parks and roads in the townships – 17 cuts per year
• Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) medium profile local streets and roads – 10 to 12 cuts per year

Landfills

• Closed landfills – 9 cuts per year

Council does not mow residential footpaths or nature strips in front of private, commercial or industrial property. Exceptions are made for residents who have genuine medical conditions or where footpaths are exceptionally large. These are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be mowed to 6 cuts per annum.

How conditions affect our program

Our crews work hard to keep facilities, parks and open spaces mowed and maintained throughout the year.

Dry weather conditions and managing dust

Dry conditions during warmer months can result in weeds and seed head growing faster than usual (making the overall aesthetic appear untidy), while the grassed surface remains short and dry (with compacted soil that generates dust and safety issues if mowed). Less frequent mowing during these conditions avoids creating dust patches. Council continues to service where possible and increases mowing frequency once grass growth resumes.

Wet weather

Wet weather during hot and humid warmer months can result in grass growing faster than usual, with rapid grass seed head growth days after mowing. Areas can be too wet to mow, creating delays to the mowing schedule. When conditions are too wet to be safe for operators to mow (such as embankments), or too soft (resulting in wheel ruts being left damaging the turf surface), mowing activities will stop. As soon as sites are dry enough to mow, the mowing schedule is resumed. In winter months, Council's slashing program is designed to ‘win’ back wet areas that weren't able to be mown in summer due to wet conditions.

Manmade foreshore areas

Redland Coast is home to several manmade foreshore areas. Following soil testing of parks within these estates, we have determined that the soil contains very high levels of sodium which does not support healthy turf growth. We have trialed several forms of salt-resistant grasses and sought advice from experts without success. Currently, we have not identified a financially viable solution to maintain turf within these estates.

Sporting fields

Sports field maintenance is key to ensuring fields are safe for play, healthy and weed-free. Council works directly with sporting clubs to maintain sporting fields or enter into agreements for clubs to do the mowing. Where Council maintains the fields, mowing occurs weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter. Council directly manages irrigation on most fields,and has a planned yearly program for field fertilisation and renovations. Our greenkeepers work with all clubs to support them to maintain their fields.

Slashing

As part of our fire management work, we slash fire reduction zones nine times per year. Slashing removes fine fuel so if a fire does occur, it’s less likely to spread beyond the slashed area. The fire will slow down or stop, and the flames here will be smaller, making it easier for firefighters to suppress.

Weed management

Our team treats weeds within turfed areas in parks and sports fields. We have a specific program in place for managing Bindii weed.

Management of turf and salinity of soil on Council owned land

Turf or grassed areas are strategically used in urban areas such as local parks, sporting fields, roadsides and foreshores, and make a valuable contribution to the livability, sustainability, health and visual appeal of our community. Council is committed to maintaining our naturally beautiful parks and foreshore areas through proactive turf management. Turf covers more than 11 million square metres across Redlands Coast. While Council actively supports healthy grass growth wherever possible, certain areas – such as foreshores – face challenges due to prevailing winds, sea spray and changes in soil salinity. This is particularly noticeable in man-made foreshore areas, where in their formation, sodic marine muds were pumped out to form the canals and have been used as the material to construct the parklands.

For frequently asked questions and a case study on Council's management of turf in foreshore areas, please refer to the Fact Sheet - Management of turf and salinity of soil on Council owned land(PDF, 389KB).

Community participation in mowing Council-owned land

If you live next to Council-owned land, such as a footpath, nature strip or park, you may choose to mow or maintain it, provided the following conditions are met:

• The land must be directly adjacent to your property or your organisation's property.
• The area must not be an active recreation area, such as a sports field, playground or similar facility.
• Work must only be undertaken during daylight hours and in safe weather conditions.
• Uneven, unstable or otherwise hazardous ground should be avoided.
• High-visibility clothing and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn.
• To maintain safe access for all users, footpaths must be kept free from obstructions, including tools, equipment and machinery, at all times. If other park users enter or approach the work area, all maintenance activities must stop immediately, and any machinery must be switched off until the area is clear and users have safely passed.
• Only appropriate, well-maintained equipment should be used, and all work must be carried out safely and in accordance with relevant safety requirements.
• Trees, shrubs and native vegetation must not be removed, pruned or otherwise disturbed.
• Council's mowing schedules will continue as planned.
• Council will not coordinate mowing activities with individuals or groups.
• Council reserves the right to undertake maintenance activities at any time.

Indemnity and responsibility

If you choose to mow or maintain Council-owned land, you do so entirely at your own risk. By undertaking these activities, you agree to indemnify Council against any claims, losses, damages or liabilities arising from your actions. Council accepts no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage that may occur as a result of these activities.

Other gardening-type activities

If you are interested in undertaking other gardening-type activities on footpaths or nature strips adjacent to your property, you must first obtain approval through a Landscape Permit –Landscaping on Footpath Standards(PDF, 336KB)