Past Projects

Turf Queensland has entered into an agreement with the Queensland Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to establish a demonstration pilot farm program to validate Fertigation  practices on a turf farm.  This pilot farm is in the Pumicestone Passage region and will provide 2 comparison sites (one with and one without) to measure chemical leeching and run off into this important waterway catchment while managing different nutrient management practices. Turf Queensland will manage the program through its expert contractors Pat Daley and Shane Holborn through proven processes, accepted methodologies, measuring tools and techniques and are seeking to provide an initial trial and outcomes for future development.

Turf360 is transforming the way turf farms operate across Queensland and beyond. Developed by Turf Queensland, Turf360 is a best management practice platform designed specifically for turf producers — bringing together sustainability, productivity, compliance, biosecurity and professionalism in one practical, easy-to-use system.

At its core, Turf360 supports growers to continuously improve their operations while demonstrating to customers, councils and the wider community that their turf is produced responsibly and to a verified industry standard.

Stronger Farms, Smarter Systems

For growers, Turf360 is about building better businesses from the ground up. By working through practical modules covering water use efficiency, soil health, pest and disease management, biosecurity, workplace safety, environmental stewardship and record-keeping, producers gain:

• Clear, structured systems to improve on-farm efficiency

• Reduced risk through stronger compliance, documentation and traceability

• Better business decision-making through improved data and planning

• Greater resilience to climate, market and regulatory change

• Confidence that their farm aligns with recognised industry best practice

The result is more resilient turf farms that are better prepared for changing seasons, rising input costs and increasing expectations from regulators and customers.

Biosecurity at the Core — Including Australia’s First RIFA Module

Biosecurity is a critical pillar of Turf360. Strong on-farm biosecurity protects individual businesses, the wider industry.

Turf360 supports growers to:

• Strengthen on-farm hygiene and movement controls

• Reduce the spread of pests, weeds and diseases

• Improve traceability of turf movement

• Understand and meet biosecurity responsibilities

Importantly, Turf360 also includes Australia’s first dedicated turf industry RIFA module, helping growers manage the risks associated with Red Imported Fire Ant and meet increasing regulatory and market expectations around pest management and biosecurity compliance. This positions certified growers at the forefront of one of the most critical biosecurity challenges facing the industry.

Driving Real Sustainability Outcomes

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword — it’s an expectation. Turf360 supports real, measurable environmental improvements by helping growers:

• Use water more efficiently and protect local waterways

• Improve soil health and nutrient management

• Apply responsible chemical use and integrated pest management

• Strengthen biosecurity and risk management

• Reduce waste and improve overall resource efficiency

These outcomes don’t just benefit individual farms — they contribute to healthier urban environments, stronger catchments and more sustainable communities.

What Turf360 Means for Councils & Commercial Buyers

For councils, developers, landscapers and large commercial buyers, Turf360 provides confidence and clarity in procurement.

Purchasing turf from a third-party accredited grower means:

• The turf has been produced under verified best management practices

• Environmental and biosecurity risks have been actively managed

• Traceability systems support responsible sourcing

• Workplace safety and compliance have been considered

• Sustainability claims are backed by evidence — not just marketing

This reduces project risk, strengthens supply chain transparency and supports ESG, environmental and procurement policies.

What It Means for Consumers

For homeowners, sports clubs and community groups, choosing turf from a Turf360 accredited grower means:

• Confidence in the quality and consistency of the turf

• Peace of mind that it has been grown responsibly

• Support for local farming businesses investing in sustainability

• Better long-term performance of lawns, sports fields and landscapes

It’s a simple, practical way for consumers to make an informed and positive choice.

Built for Industry, Backed by National Frameworks

Turf360 is integrated with the Hort360 best management practice framework, aligning the turf industry with nationally recognised horticulture standards. This strengthens credibility, reporting capabilities and ensures the turf sector is positioned alongside leading agricultural industries.

The Future of Professional Turf Farming

Turf360 is more than a digital platform — it represents a commitment to excellence, sustainability, biosecurity and industry leadership. As more growers come on board, the entire turf supply chain becomes stronger, more transparent and more trusted.

Whether you’re a grower looking to future-proof your farm, a council seeking confidence in your suppliers, or a consumer wanting to make a responsible choice — Turf360 represents the future of professional turf production.

Turf360 has been made available to all Queensland Turf Queensland members free of charge, providing growers with immediate tools to improve their operations, strengthen sustainability, and enhance farm management. The program is third-party accredited, so if you want to take your own benchmarking to the next level, verify your results, and be formally recognised for your best-practice achievements, this comes at a cost — but the investment can deliver real value for your business.

Get in touch today to learn how you can start using Turf360 and join the growing network of accredited, forward-thinking turf producers.

Turf Queensland producers have for some time struggled with the understanding of their profitability and sustainability of their business.  The development of a “Turf Cost Calculator” has been commissioned by Turf Queensland.    The project aims to develop a detailed whole farm economic model of key components of turf production systems.  The aim is to develop a modular program that will establish production costs and the profitability of the turf production process.   The Calculator is a computer-based program specifically designed for the turf production farm that will allow the individual producer to apply their particular inputs on a number of different varieties to ensure an understanding of their costs and profitability.

Cost-benefit analysis will be used as the conceptual framework for the economic evaluation. The process will guided by a project steering group to ensure industry interests are served and expectations met. This will also ensure the relevance of the final product.  The main objective of the project is to develop a management tool to guide the on-farm decision making process into farm planning and budgeting while also improving the profitability and efficiency of turf grass production in Queensland.

This will produce a number of benefits including:

• Growers will be able to reduce risk by estimating more accurately the cost/benefit of production management decisions and investments
• Environmental and natural resources costs will be incorporated into farm budgeting and planning
• All growers (especially new industry entrants) will get a clear idea of the value of their product based on their actual costs

To access the Turf Cost Calculator you must be a member of Turf Queensland.  For information to join Turf Queensland click here.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Turf Queensland is working to develop a sustainability program that will enable members to incorporate sustainable best practice into their core business.  This is an 18 month program concluding February 2013.

The commencement of the Eco Turf Efficiency program will gather cross industry information throughout the state.  The Eco-efficiency assessment will provide:

• baseline assessments for energy consumption, material consumption and waste production
• reduction strategies with a focus of lightening environmental impact
• financial analysis of proposed improvement

Lisa Erhart (Dynamic Eco-Solutions) has been employed to undertake this program under the management of  Turf Queensland.

We acknowledge the support of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection , Sustainable Industry Associations Program for this project.

[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/M6_TQ_Website-Copy3.pdf” type=”pdf”]About Eco-Turf[/prettyfilelink]

[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/TQ_Sustainability-Statement_V2.pdf” type=”pdf”]TQ_Sustainability Statement[/prettyfilelink]

[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/M6_TQ_Case-Study_Delivery-VEhicle-Analysis1.pdf” type=”pdf”]Case Study_Delivery Vehicle Analysis[/prettyfilelink]

Turf Queensland Inc has been successful in securing incentive funding through the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Resource Management for the TQ Producer Irrigation Efficiency Scheme (TQ-PIES) for South East Queensland. This is part of the SEQ Irrigation Futures Program.

This scheme will provide financial assistance to eligible turf producers to improve their irrigation equipment and soil monitoring which will result in efficiencies of water use on their farms.  The scheme is aimed at producers who are looking to improve efficiency through the upgrade and maintenance of their irrigation equipment or to improve irrigation management through the use of soil moisture monitoring or monitoring equipment.  This program concludes June 2012.

• Financial assistance of up to $1,000 or one-third (1/3) of the total cost is available to growers for system upgrades.

• Financial assistance of up to $1,500 or one-third (1/3) of the total cost is available to growers for soil moisture monitoring or monitoring equipment

This scheme is available toSsouth East Queensland turf producers only.  Anyone wishing to undertake this program please contact Turf Queensland on (07) 3488 0917 or email to info@qtpa.com.au.  Assessments will be undertaken by Pat Daley, DWS Irrigation.  For further information please click on the guidelines and application form below:

[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/TQ-PIES-Guidelines_w-soil-moisture-monitoring.pdf” type=”pdf”]TQ-PIES Guidelines_w soil moisture monitoring[/prettyfilelink]

[prettyfilelink src=”http://qtpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/TQ-PIES-Application-2.pdf” type=”pdf”]TQ-PIES Application (2)[/prettyfilelink]

The Rural Water Use Efficiency (RWUE) initiative is a partnership between Turf Queensland and the Queensland government Department of Environment and Resource Management which aims to improve the use and management of available water, thereby improving the competitiveness, profitability and environmental sustainability of Queensland’s Turf industry through irrigation.  RWUE4 is a continuation of the RWUE3 program.  The current program runs to 2013 and covers rural and regional turf producers throughout Queensland.  The outcomes for this program include:

• increased engagement and awareness of RWUE4 objectives
• uptake of water use efficiency levels
• uptake of energy saving levels
• on farm assistance and assessments
• workshops throughout the various regions

On farm assessments are undertaken by a qualified consultant, Pat Daley, DWS Irrigation Services.  Turf producers wishing to avail themselves of this program should either contact Turf Queensland on (07) 3488  0917 or Pat Daley on 0415 186 706.

For a list of Levy Funded Projects click on the link: levy-funded-projects