Norman Griffiths Oval upgrade
20 May 2025 update on Council’s contract for the design and construction of Norman Griffiths Oval at West Pymble
The contract with the builder, Turf One, has been terminated.
The project has had complications such as environmental incidents, delays, design problems, budget increases and disputed claims for variations.
Council is taking possession of the site today, 20 May and will make it safe and stable. Council will now plan for the completion of the project in a cost effective manner with emphasis on managing the stormwater on the site.
Council will also look into the design, cost and time required to build a natural turf field in comparison to the completion of a synthetic field at Norman Griffiths Oval.
We understand that there is frustration and disappointment in the community with the progress of the project to date. Please note that Council is undertaking an independent investigation into the project to assess compliance, effectiveness and identify critical learnings.
Council Resolution 15 April 2025
That Council endorses the actions in the note signed by the Mayor and witnessed by a Councillor on 15 April 2025.
Actions in the note signed by the Mayor
Council notes that:
1. The Norman Griffiths Oval Upgrade Project has been plagued by complications and over-runs.
2. There have been environmental incidents, delays, design problems and disputed claims for variations.
3. Costs for the project have escalated. In February 2025 it was reported to Council that the prevailing budget of $5.1m would need to be increased to $6.9m. At the March meeting, it was advised that it is likely that additional costs will be incurred, in addition to the current budget, to complete the project.
We move that:
4. Council issue Turf One a show cause notice with a view to terminating the contract if Turf One do not comply with the show cause notice by 2 May 2025. In the event the show cause notice is not complied with, the contract will be terminated.
5. If termination occurs, Council takes possession of the Norman Griffiths Oval site at the first available opportunity and makes the site safe and stable, including a modified Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which addresses the current environmental risk exposure, and at the same time develops a construction methodology and procurement strategy which will see completion of the project in the most efficient and cost effective manner within acceptable risk parameters, with emphasis on managing the current status of the stormwater impact on the site.
6. If termination occurs, there be a high-level assessment of the design, cost and time required to build a natural turf field in comparison to the completion of a synthetic field at Norman Griffiths Oval, in parallel with the above recommendation.
7. An immediate independent investigation of the project be undertaken considering the entire project life-cycle to date, with the following objectives:
a. Assess compliance with Council's existing tendering and project governance policies and practices;
b. Review the effectiveness of Council's project governance and tendering policies and practices on this project;
a. Identify critical learnings to be applied to all projects being managed by Council
8. The above actions be made public if the contract with Turf One is terminated.
Project updates
December 2024
The progress on site has not been as expected despite the sustained efforts by Council’s project team. The project team is currently dealing with a network infrastructure upgrade involving Sydney Water’s sewage system and are also working through design conditions with the contractor to ensure the desired stormwater management measures for the site are designed and delivered to meet Council’s expectations.
The main components of work remaining are:
- Construction of bio-basin
- Upgrade of the sewer main
- Formation of the detention basin (under the playing surface)
- Construction of the overland flow path
- Laying of the playing substructure and surface
Additional water quality testing is being undertaken to monitor the water quality in Quarry Creek and the results published on the Council website. Signs have been placed around the site near the creek advising of this and providing a QR code to the website. View water quality results. The project includes water sensitive urban design elements such as the bio-retention basin and the GPT which, post construction, will result in a better quality of water entering Quarry Creek than was occurring prior to undertaking the project.
Regarding the Clean Up Notice received by Council in March 2024 from the EPA, Council has complied with all the requirements to date and continues to work with the EPA on its investigation into the matter and ensuring the site is managed in accordance with approved environmental management controls and any other EPA requirements. View the Variation of EPA's Clean-Up Action notice(PDF, 179KB).
At this stage the project team is working to a completion date of mid 2025 when the site is expected to reopen for community use. The use of and bookings for the Oval will be managed under the existing generic Plan of Management to maintain continued access by the community.
June 2024
Although unfavourable wet weather has continued to impact the site and delay the construction work, good progress is being made under difficult conditions.
Works have recently been completed on re-lining of existing large council stormwater pipe beneath the field. The concrete perimeter plinth works are well advanced and progressing well. Completion of the plinth will enable works to progress on the field including rollout of the impermeable membrane, detention drainage aggregate and field surface. Additional works include concrete pathways, completion of the field fencing, construction of the bio-retention basin and installation of connecting drainage infrastructure from the newly installed Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) on Lofberg road.
Council's project team and expert consultants continue to work with the EPA on improvements to the site with regard to managing future rain events.
Regarding the Clean Up Notice received by Council in March from the EPA, Council has complied with all the requirements to date and will continue to work with the EPA, ensuring the site is managed in accordance with approved environmental management controls and any other EPA requirements. View the Variation of EPA's Clean-Up Action notice(PDF, 179KB).
Additional water quality testing is being undertaken to monitor the water quality in of Quarry Creek and the results published on the Council website. Signs have been placed around the site near the creek advising of this and providing a QR code to the website.View water quality results here.The project includes water sensitive urban design elements such as the bio-retention basinand the GPT which, post construction, will result in a better quality of water entering Quarry Creek than was occurring prior to undertaking the project.
March/April 2024
Project delayed and additional budget required.
Although ground testing was undertaken during the planning for the project unfavourable ground conditions as well as asbestos contamination was uncovered during excavation.
Significant delays were experienced to rectify these conditions and additional budget required to cover the unexpected events.
The asbestos contaminated land was remediated with an approved remediation plan under the supervision of a hygienist.
Wet weather has led to a number of delays
- In early April 2024 the site experienced record rainfall and was inundated with a significant amount of stormwater. Since then the project team has worked on draining this excess water off the site, with approximately 700,000 litres removed to date.
- This work has now been completed, Council and its contractor are thoroughly assessing the site to determine any damage which may need rectification.
- Council is in receipt of a Clean up notice from the EPA, most of the actions required by the Clean Up Notice are already being undertaken and Council is working closely with the EPA on resolving this matter. View EPA Clean-up Action notice(PDF, 199KB).
- Council has engaged an independent sediment and erosion control specialist to assist with this.
- Additional water quality testing is being undertaken to monitor the water quality in of Quarry Creek. View water quality results here.
- It is expected that the water quality will improve with the installation of the gross pollutant traps (GPT) as part of the project.
At this stage, the delay to the project’s completion is yet to be determined. Early indications are that this delay may be significant and will be quantified once the project team has assessed the impacts of the water inundation.
As a result, the current completion date of July 2024 is unlikely to be achieved. The project team is working hard to identify areas where project milestones can be accelerated to minimise the delay.
Work is progressing where it’s safe and practical to do so, including the repair of a large stormwater pipe and fencing installation. The next stage of work will be the installation of the concrete plinths around the field.
Council continues to work with the EPA on cleaning the site and its surroundings, ensuring the site is managed in accordance with approved environmental management controls and any other EPA requirements.
The Norman Griffiths Oval at West Pymble is currently undergoing a major upgrade. It follows a Council decision in March 2023 to proceed with the project as planned.
The Oval will receive a new all-weather synthetic surface, new lighting and pathways, an electronic scoreboard and an improved drainage system.
The current sportsfields will be closed to the public and games relocated while the work takes place.
The total cost of the upgrade is estimated at $3.3 million, (revised estimated budget is $4.77 million as at April 2024)) with local football clubs contributing around $1 million in club funds and government grants.
The goal of the project is to:
- Provide a synthetic field upgrade to replace the turf field which is sometimes unusable due to surface and weather conditions.
- To deliver the project in an environmentally sensitive manner and incorporate feedback from the community in managing construction and the local environment.
- To deliver a solution to the substantial growth in football participation, expected to be 20,000 in the local area by the year 2026.
Following completion of the work, the public will be able to access the sportsfields for games/training and other purposes such as walking. The sportsfields will also be available for hire to third parties such as schools. Use of the Oval is directed by the current Ku-ring-gai Bicentennial Park Plan of Management(PDF, 2MB) (covers Norman Griffiths).
Key documents
In February 2022 the Council decided to make public the final review of environmental factors, the final design and the construction program on the Council's website. These documents are now available to be viewed here:
Norman Griffiths Oval West Pymble Review of Environmental Factors - version 9(PDF, 4MB)
Review of Environmental Factors - Appendices 1-15
Appendix 1 - Ku-ring-gai Council Stormwater Plan - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 489KB)
Appendix 2 - Arboricultural Impact Assessment - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 3MB)
Appendix 3 - Bulk Earthworks Plan - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 2MB)
Appendix 4 - Civil Plans - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 6MB)
Appendix 5 - Supplementary Contamination Investigation - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 6MB)
Appendix 6 - Geotechnical Report - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 5MB)
Appendix 7 - Fire Resistance Certificate - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 212KB)
Appendix 8 - Heritage and Ecological Impacts Technical Notes - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 357KB)
Appendix 9 - Stormwater System Technical Memo - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 861KB)
Appendix 10 - Bushfire Report - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 2MB)
Appendix 11 - Bicentennial Park Plan of Management - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 2MB)
Appendix 12 - Purefill Heat Test - Temperature Evaluation Test - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 470KB)
Appendix 13 - Product Information Brochure - PureFill - FieldTurf - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 2MB)
Appendix 14 - refer to the above Review of Environmental Factors version 9 report
Appendix 15 - Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment - Norman Griffiths Oval(PDF, 5MB)
Contact
Further updates on the project will be periodically posted here. Should you require further information please contact Council's Acting Head of Project Delivery, Craig Roberts by phone to 9424 0000 or email.