MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Turf now safe for driveways and more, without risk of compaction
Sydney, 30 April, 2009 – In the past, grass has been difficult to use in driveways,
walkways and car parks due to root-kill caused by ground compacting.
Yet given the choice, many people would prefer the look of a grassed or decorative
gravel driveway or car park over an unsightly concrete or asphalt one. Apart from the
aesthetic appeal of turf or gravel, they also offer the benefit of allowing water
permeability, which can eliminate the need for costly storm water drainage systems.
“Until now, turf has been troublesome to install in moderate use traffic areas, because of
the problem of the earth being compacted, eventually killing the root system and
resulting in unattractive worn areas,” said David Oliver, Managing Director of landscape
engineering firm, Elmich Australia Pty Ltd.
“This is where Elmich’s TurfPave
®
solves the problem,” he said. “It’s installed under the
turf surface and stabilises the soil, allowing root growth and permitting rainwater to
drain away. Not only does this have environmental benefits, but it also means that
developments are more likely to meet local planning water permeability guidelines,” said
David.
Manufactured from recycled plastics, TurfPave’s
®
high strength modules interlock and
can accommodate heavy vehicle load requirements up to the latest generation fire
engines. Apart from turf, it is also suitable to have decorative gravel laid over it.
“TurfPave
®
is highly practical because it can conform to uneven areas making it simple
to install and adaptable for use in many applications,” said David.
TurfPave
®
was recently specified for use by NSW Sport and Recreation for stabilising a
5,000 square metre overflow car park at the Sydney Academy of Sports at Narrabeen.
Modules were interlocked and positioned on a compacted free-draining gravel sub-base.
The high strength flexible modules were covered with a sandy soil, over which turf was
laid.
The completed installation effectively withstands vehicle traffic and provides an
attractive and efficient alternative to impermeable hard surfaces.
At the Sydney Missionary & Bible College, JCa Landscape Architects specified TurfPave
®
for a car park installation.
“We specified TurfPave
®
in-filled with decorative gravel, because it provides an all
weather vehicular trafficable surface whilst allowing 100% rainwater surface run-off
absorption into the sub-grade. This assists in meeting site permeability ratios as required
by local government planning codes,” said John Chetham of JCa Landscape Architects.
“TurfPave
®
also offers the advantage of protecting trees adjacent to car parking bays by
allowing water and oxygen to penetrate through to the feeder roots. Furthermore, it
breaks up the mass of bitumen and concrete surfaces thus providing a softer appearance
in the landscape,” he said.
TurfPave® can be used in many types of moderate traffic installations including vehicle
parking lots, emergency vehicle roads, golf courses, street shoulder areas and for slope
stabilization.
High resolution photographs illustrating the named jobs can be found at
About Elmich Australia Pty Ltd:
For more than a decade, Elmich has designed and created innovations in landscape
engineering. Working closely with specifiers and landscape engineering specialists,
Elmich develops customised solutions for residential, commercial, infrastructural and
industrial projects world-wide.
Contact:
David Oliver
Managing Director
Elmich Australia Pty Ltd
Ph:+61 2 9648 2073
Fax:+61 2 9648 4731
E: david.oliver@elmich.com
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