RALEIGH PARK FEBRUARY 2020 REPORT

GARDEN & MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

February 2020

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On the weekend of the 7th of February Sydney and the east coast of Australia received the largest East Coast Low Storm in 20 years, 420mm of rain was recorded over 4 days. The gardens and grass absolutely loved the rain and the storm essentially took us out of drought with dam levels rising over 80% ( up from 41.7% ), level 1 restrictions are still in place. Raliegh Park was lucky and saw very limited damage in comparison to other areas across Sydney. Due to the rain hedges are producing new growth which has raised our trimming frequency. Fertilizer has been applied to the lawns that are irrigated to maintain health and vigour. We are seeing increased growth in lawn due to rain and temperature.

February has been warm with hot nights and high humidity which has seen ideal conditions for the development of fungal diseases such as mildew. This can be seen on some Crepe Myrtles that are in locations that have poor air movement. The Crepe Myrtles at the tennis courts is one such location; it is very difficult to control this disease but we are treating it and are seeing some positive signs. The ants are very active moving aphids to plants to obtain honey dew which is a sugary secretion that is a food source for them, we are treating the aphids as we see them arise. The Dahlias at the round- about are just past their best and will be removed in preparation for a new planting for Spring flowering. Soil preparation is under way at Link Reserve after the completion of the sandstone wall construction, with the removal of the grasses such as Queensland Blue grass, Buffalo grass and Couch grass as well as other weeds to make way for planting. When designs have been finalised installation will begin.

Water lily flowering at pool ,Community centre.

Bougainvillea at pool, Community centre.

ZONE 1

• Entire area blown down every Monday & Friday and gutters cleaned

• Trim Chinese star jasmine as needed.

• Whip, edge, mowed and blow down Basin Reserve.

• Hedging Plumbago as needed.

• Trim Syzigium Cones.

• Hedging of Buxus sempervirens, as needed.

• Rose Care, pest control.

• Weed killer spray application over paving and driveways.

• Irrigation Repairs.

• Maintain lawn edges around trees in Basin.

• Application of broadleaf herbicide to lawns

• Trimmed Ivy edges under fig trees Basin.

Sherwood walk

Tibouchina in bloom at York place

ZONE 2

• Entire area blown down every Monday & Friday.

• Mow, edge and whip of Link Reserve as required.

• Hedging of Buxus as needed.

• Hedging of Murraya as needed.

• Weed killer spray application over paving and driveways.

• Irrigation repairs.

• Apply broadleaf herbicide to lawns.

Topdressing completed after damage during construction of sandstone retaining wall.

Regrowth after topdressing.

Topdressing applied to low spots in the Basin.

Recovery after topdressing

ZONE 3

• Entire area blown down every Monday & Friday

• Mow, edge and whip of grass areas throughout Todman Avenue

• Mow, edge and whip of grass areas throughout York Place

• Mow, edge and whip grass areas throughout Sherwood

• Hand weeding throughout York Place

• Hand weeding throughout Sherwood.

• Hedging of Murraya, as needed

• Irrigation Repairs.

• Weed killer spray application over paving and driveways. OTHER REQUESTED WORKS

• Repair irrigation system Sherwood

• Remove trees over sewer rear of No.8 Serpentine

• Topdress Link Reserve after construction works

• Topdress Basin Reserve

• Irrigation repairs Basin

• Irrigation repairs Link

• Prepare newly constructed garden beds at Link for plant installations TURF

• All turf surfaces are mown, edged, whipped and blown as needed.

• Minor topdressing has taken place in the Basin.

• Topdressing of Link reserve was necessary after placement of the Sandstone blocks.

TREES

• Removal of dead fallen branches.

WEATHER February total rainfall received was 441.6 mm. The bulk of the rainfall was received from the 7th to the 10th. The warmest day was 34.8C on the 2nd and the coldest day was 22.8 C on the 9th . The coldest morning was on the 5th at 18.0 C and the warmest minimum was on the 2nd at 24.8 C. WHS

• ACCIDENTS – NIL

• INCIDENTS – NIL

MACHINERY

• All machinery operational and well maintained.

Michael Maroney Team Leader M: 0497554224