Dear Sue,

Thank you for your letter dated July 31, 2000 advising of the proposal to fully returf Bruce Stadium commencing next Tuesday, August 7.

Your letter doesn't make it clear from where the replacement turf will be sourced, however, we understand that a combination of turf currently growing in Cairns and Camden will be used. As we have discussed, our turf consultant, Ray Young, believes that such a proposal is not without some risk, given the comparatively short growing time the Cairns turf has enjoyed. However, Ray's position cannot, of course, be proven and equally, neither can his alternative proposals (such as regeneration of the existing turf) be proven to be without risk. In short, it seems that whatever strategy is pursued, some risk is involved.

Given these circumstances, we will support the decision to fully replace the turf and work cooperatively with your representatives and consultants towards making this strategy work and achieving the best possible pitch conditions for the Olympics.

As you point out, with the replacement program in place, there is no impediment to staging the Raiders' game at the stadium this Friday. We therefore have no objections to this taking place, provided any disruption or damage to the overlay works caused by staging this game is made good at your expense. By copy of this fax, I ask Steve to work closely with ground management to ensure any disruption or damage to the overlay works is avoided.

We at SOCOG sincerely hope that the Raiders' game on Friday night is a huge success, as indeed we intend the Olympic football sessions in Canberra to be come September.

With kind regards

Peter Morris.