NSW quarry’s key role in ‘high-quality’ sporting field transformation

A NSW quarry is playing a key role in transforming local sporting fields in Orange.

Orange City Council has revealed how work is progressing on its Forest Road Sports Precinct. The project’s next stage will see the eight sports fields, including three cricket fields, covered with a layer of 200mm of sand under the grass to improve drainage.

A quarry in Eugowra will supply 28,000 tonnes of sand via 20 to 25 trucks per day over the next two weeks and then in January for a period to support the sporting field project.

“Local footballers know that many sporting fields in Orange struggle after heavy rain,” said Orange City Council mayor Tony Mileto.

“For the first time we’re installing a high-quality drainage system topped with 200mm of sand that becomes the growing medium for the hard-wearing couch grass.”

“Currently, we have to shut fields if we have too much rain. The plan is that these new fields at the sports precinct will be playable much sooner after rain.

“Once the sand is rolled and the 16 kilometres of installed drainage pipes and irrigation lines are complete, the turf can be laid. Weather permitting, the grass fields will be established while the weather’s warm and be the new fields will be playable for cricket by the end of next year.”