Cow-a-bout that

Shellharbour City Council has upped its roundabout game, having created a stunning sculptural centrepiece – the ‘Cow-a-bout’ on the Croome Rd roundabout island near the Shellharbour City Stadium. 

The design is two-fold. The hand-forged steel cow sculptures by artist Jane Cavanough appear to be grazing in a paddock – a salute to our dairying history – while the special turf allows council to reduce the maintenance usually required.  

Geoff Arthur, Shellharbour City Council’s Open Spaces Manager, designed the layout and said the cows represent Illawarra Shorthorns – which were bred here when dairying began in the 1850s. It was the first dairy breed to be developed in Australia. 

Geoff says the project was dear to him as he has historical family ties to Shellharbour’s dairy industry through the McDonald family.

Roundabouts require a lot of maintenance for councils, Geoff says, with some needing upkeep as often as every six weeks. The roundabout was designed to help reduce the maintenance levels through the laying of specialised turf and the sculptures were relocated from the Albion Park Community Centre to Croome Rd so they could be fully displayed in a prime position.

Adding to the rural atmosphere are timber fences, an open grassy paddock and sandstone rock depicting waterways, a nod to nearby Yellow Rock’s sandstone cliffs and the escarpment. 

It was a joint effort by Council crews and the team at Turfco, Geoff says.

One of the most important elements was the choice of turf – 1100m² of premium Sir Grange Zoysia has been laid for its lush appearance, low maintenance and no mow benefits. It is a favourite among councils for sustainable urban landscaping.