Tender Details
Access this Tender
Emerald Sporting Fields Top Dressing
Business Name
Central Highlands Regional Council
VP Reference #
VP532185
Buyers Reference #
RFQ260272
Opens
Wednesday 04 November 2026
(E. Australia Standard Time)
Closes
Friday 20 November 2026 05:00 PM
(E. Australia Standard Time)
Supplier query cut-off
Friday 20 November 2026 05:00 PM
(E. Australia Standard Time)
Expected decision
Monday 23 November 2026
(E. Australia Standard Time)
Buyer Details
Business Name
Central Highlands Regional Council
Location
65 Egerton St
Emerald, Queensland 4720
Australia
WebSite:
https://www.centralhighlands.qld.gov.au/
Business Info
The Central Highlands region is in Central Queensland, Australia. The region encompasses an area of around 60 000 square kilometres, making it just short of the size of Tasmania.
It is home to around 30 000 people who live in the thirteen unique communities of Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, Bluff, Capella, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Rolleston, Sapphire Gemfields, Springsure and Tieri.
Our region is rich in minerals and agriculture, thriving on irrigation sourced from water storage on the Nogoa and Comet rivers. We claim the largest sapphire-producing fields in the Southern Hemisphere.
Major freight routes through the region include the north-south link between Charters Towers and northern New South Wales—identified as the inland transport alternative between Cairns and Melbourne.
Contact Details
The buyer has elected to have their personal and contact details hidden. These details will be revealed at the buyers discretion.
What the buyer is requesting
Details
Central Highlands Regional Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified contractors to undertake sports field renovation works at nominated sporting fields within Emerald.
The works are intended to improve turf health, alleviate soil compaction, enhance drainage, improve playing surface quality, and support the long-term sustainability and safe use of community sporting facilities.
The successful contractor shall provide all labour, plant, equipment, materials and supervision necessary to undertake the following:
• Hollow Tine Aeration (Coring) to relieve soil compaction and improve root zone performance. (All fields except McIndoe Field#3)
• Collection, processing and management of extracted cores where required.
• Supply and application of approved top dressing material.
Central Highlands Regional Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified contractors to undertake sports field renovation works at nominated sporting fields within Emerald.
The works are intended to improve turf health, alleviate soil compaction, enhance drainage, improve playing surface quality, and support the long-term sustainability and safe use of community sporting facilities.
The successful contractor shall provide all labour, plant, equipment, materials and supervision necessary to undertake the following:
• Hollow Tine Aeration (Coring) to relieve soil compaction and improve root zone performance. (All fields except McIndoe Field#3)
• Collection, processing and management of extracted cores where required.
• Supply and application of approved top dressing material.
• Mechanical spreading and incorporation of top dressing to achieve a uniform surface finish of at least 10mm
• Drag matting, brushing or similar finishing techniques to ensure even distribution of material.
• Protection of existing turf, irrigation systems, drainage infrastructure and surrounding assets.
• Removal and lawful disposal of waste materials generated during the works.
• Site clean-up and reinstatement upon completion.
Topdressing material shall consist of a clean, washed, free-draining medium-coarse sand suitable for sports turf applications. The sand shall be free from clay, organic matter, weed seed, stones greater than 5 mm, and other materials. The Contractor shall nominate the proposed sand source and provide particle size distribution data upon request.
The Contractor shall mechanically spread and incorporate topdressing material in incremental passes and shall not apply the full depth in a single pass. The material shall be distributed evenly across the nominated playing surface to achieve an average finished topdressing depth of 10 mm.
Following each application pass, drag matting, brushing, levelling or other approved finishing methods shall be undertaken to ensure even distribution and incorporation of the material.
Any low areas, depressions, hollows, birdbaths, surface undulations or other irregularities identified during the works shall be filled and levelled as required using additional topdressing material. Hand placement and finishing shall be undertaken where necessary to achieve a smooth, uniform playing surface and eliminate localised variations in surface level.
Upon completion, the surface shall be free of ridges, windrows, excessive accumulations of material and abrupt level changes, and shall maintain positive surface drainage suitable for sports field use.
The Contractor is responsible for undertaking works in accordance with industry best practice, relevant workplace health and safety legislation, and manufacturer recommendations for all equipment used.
Works must be completed in a manner that minimises disruption to sporting clubs and facility users while maintaining safe access to surrounding areas. Any damage caused to Council assets during the works shall be rectified by the Contractor at no cost to Council.
Upon completion, the Contractor shall provide confirmation of:
• Areas treated.
• Aeration and coring methodology utilised.
• Quantity and specification of top dressing material applied.
• Any defects, irrigation faults or field condition issues identified during the works.
The completed surface must provide an even, safe and high-quality playing area suitable for community and competitive sporting use.
Background information / Compatibility requirements
Details
Central Highlands Regional Council manages a number of natural turf sporting fields within the Township of Emerald. These facilities are heavily utilised throughout the year for community sport, recreation, school activities and organised competitions.
To maintain safe, healthy and high-quality playing surfaces, Council is seeking quotations from suitably qualified contractors to undertake aeration, coring and top dressing works. These maintenance activities are essential to improve soil structure, alleviate compaction, promote healthy turf growth, enhance drainage, and provide a safer and more consistent playing surface for users.
The works form part of Council's ongoing sports field maintenance program and are aimed at extending turf life, improving surface condition, and reducing risks associated with uneven ground, poor drainage and wear caused by high usage.
Desired Outcomes ('Nice to haves', Conditions & Warranties, SLA's, Project benefits)
Details
The Contractor shall:
1. Complete aeration of all nominated sporting fields in Emerald using suitable sports turf equipment.
2. Complete hollow tine or solid tine coring of all nominated playing surfaces in accordance with industry best practice.
3. Supply, transport and apply approved top dressing material at the agreed application rate.
4. Incorporate and level top dressing to achieve a uniform playing surface.
5. Remove or manage extracted cores and dispose of waste materials appropriately.
6. Protect existing irrigation systems, drainage infrastructure and other Council assets throughout the works.
7. Leave all work sites clean, safe and fit for return to service.
8. Provide a completion report detailing:
o Fields treated.
o Aeration and coring methods used.
o Quantity of top dressing applied.
o Any defects, irrigation issues or maintenance concerns identified during the works.
Attachments to this Request
Documents
3
Supplier lists selected
Lists
Building Products & Materials
Horticulture & Arboriculture
Plant & Equipment - Hire
Categories selected
Categories
Building Products & Materials
1: Sand & Soils
Horticulture & Arboriculture
1: Turf Supply & Lay
Plant & Equipment (Hire)
1: Soil Stabilisers
Regions of Service
Locations
Queensland
1: Brisbane
2: Central West
3: Darling Downs
4: Far North
5: Fitzroy
6: Gold Coast
7: Mackay
8: North West
9: Northern
10: South West
11: Sunshine Coast
12: West Moreton
13: Wide Bay-Burnett
All Regions of Service locations are within Australia.
Information requested by others
10/Nov/2026 11:51 AM
Question
:
Hi,
If we were the successful tenderer for this tender, can I ask what time frames you are looking at having the works done on the fields? We are a Grounds and Garden Maintenance Company in Townsville that has a specialised team who do sports turf maintenance. We currently look after 16 sports fields in Townsville for the Townsville City Council. I am asking this question prior to submitting a response to tender as I would need to factor into our current schedule and need to see if gaps exist with when you are looking at having the work done. Thanks for your response to my question. Heath
Answered on 10/Nov/2026 02:20 PM
:
Thank you for your question. We would like the top dressing completed as soon as possible after closing. The sporting fields have competition booked for 6th February 2027. Therefore, they need to be in a playable state by this date. Ideally late November/early December 2026 for works.
Updates made to this Request
Updates
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