City of Greater Bendigo manager of parks and natural environment Mitch Kemp said the council had received inquiries about the QEO in recent weeks due to its brown appearance.

“In the past few weeks the QEO has been in a transition phase as we remove the rye and other winter grasses and wait for the couch grass to come out of its winter dormancy,” Mr Kemp said.

“The warmer the weather, the quicker the couch grass grows and it’s now coming through quite nicely.”

Mr Kemp said the QEO was planted with a mix of grasses in the winter which are removed in Spring to allow the couch summer grass to come through.

“We remove the winter grasses because they require more water than couch,” Mr Kemp said.

City of Greater Bendigo team leader Sports Fields, Roger Barbetti said the hot conditions were perfect for couch.

“The hotter, the better for couch,” Mr Barbetti said.

“This is a much preferred surface for summer sports such as cricket. It is also drought resilient and generally has a better roll,” he said.

Treatment of the QEO began prior to the Bendigo Football League grand final and the ground has also since been top dressed.

“The QEO tenant cricket clubs have also been working hard to sprig the wickets in preparation for the upcoming season,” Mr Kemp said.