Company behind Norman Griffiths Oval upgrade responds to contract termination

Turf One told the Lorikeet that “as works progressed, the scope was significantly impacted by evolving design changes and the absence of full community consensus...”.

Huw Bradshaw
June 04, 2025

The company at the centre of the dispute over upgrades to Norman Griffiths Oval, Turf One, has broken its silence, telling the North Shore Lorikeet it has "continued to support the project in good faith”.

As we reported in May, the project has suffered numerous delays and blow-outs since construction began in 2023.

On May 20, Ku-ring-gai council took control of the site, stating that the project had been “plagued by complications and over-runs”, as well as “design problems, budget increases and disputed claims for variations”.

“An utter, abject defeat”: Norman Griffiths Oval left in construction limbo after contract termination

While a game of finger pointing between Ku-ring-gai council and contractors has commenced, the future of the site remains uncertain.

“Turf One was engaged by Ku-ring-gai Council in 2021 to deliver a synthetic sports field and associated infrastructure, including drainage, irrigation, and site amenities, with completion originally scheduled within 12 months,” Turf One said in a statement.

“As works progressed, the scope was significantly impacted by evolving design changes and the absence of full community consensus prior to the contract award.”

The company said it “would like to confirm that it has not received payment that exceeds the contract amount approved by Ku-ring Gai Council and have continued to support the project in good faith, despite not receiving any payment for over a year for works performed”.

“Given that the project was at an advanced stage of completion when the contract was brought to an end, Turf One remains hopeful that the project will be promptly completed by the Ku-ring-gai Council to ensure that the community will have access to a state-of-the-art facility.”

Turf One said “the team behind the Norman Griffiths Oval project has completed numerous successful developments, including the nearby synthetic AFL and football fields at Macquarie University, delivered on time and within budget”.

A Ku-ring-gai Council spokesperson told the Lorrikeet: “Council has paid Turf One for work they have submitted invoices for, and have been assessed payable under the terms of the contract in place.”

Image Credit: Ku-ring-gai Council, Turf One