Port Macquarie’s Transport Engineer was looking for possible carpark options at Parks Reserve on the northern side of Hasting River. It’s primary role to be a stand-by carpark for ferry mainte- nance vehicles, which would access the site 3-4 times a year. With a 200mtr square grass area available, a search was conducted to find a product that would reinforce the grass enabling an all-weather carpark rather than creating a costly concrete carpark.
GR14 a part recycled polyethylene mesh reinforces grass and stops maintenance vehicles churning up grass and creating tyre ruts, it also can be retrofitted to established grass sites reducing installa- tion costs.
Site preparation included filling in holes and sharp depressions with top soil to create a level area and mowing the kikuyu grass which covered the site. Preparation completed the GR14 which comes in rolls of 2 x 20mtres was ready to be rolled over the kikuyu and pinned into position. It is advised to use 5 pins per square metre.
Once installed the site is left until grass has grown through and intertwined with the polyethylene mesh. A light covering of top soil over GR14 and a good watering program will increase grass growth dramatically reducing the establishment time to weeks.
The GR14 has enabled the council to create a dual purpose site a green space and a carpark. The maintenance vehicles no longer churn up the grass and can use the site in all weather conditions. In fact the site has worked so well commuters catching the ferry across the Hastings are using the carpark on a daily basis. Overall Port Macquarie Council is happy with the result and are looking at other sites where GR14 can be deployed.
