Peaceful Bayside is committed to protecting our environment now and for future generations. That is why we support the roll out of new, modernised natural turf fields.
Currently Synthethic fields are being considered for Jellicoe Park (Pagewood), L’Estrange Park (Mascot) and Kingsgrove Avenue Reserve (Bexley) after a motion was presented at Bayside Council's July meeting. The motion asked for the detailed report to be presented by November.
natural turf now in demand
NSW Environment Protection Authority "Compost on sporting fields case study" shows compost can play a major role in turf management by improving the quality and longevity of sporting fields.
A NSW Environment Protection Authority’s (EPA) project, delivered by environmental consultancy AgEnviro Solutions with a $350,000 grant from the EPA Organics Market Development program, assessed 408 fields identified through a partnership with NSW Football and Northern NSW Football.
AgEnviro assessed each field’s soil type, sport usage levels, turf species, climate, microclimate and irrigation before recommending field treatments. The site-specific recommendations were then provided to the councils and associated soccer associations.
Recommendations could include using compost as part of a field’s total reconstruction or using compost blends for topdressing and filling depressions. The results have been so successful that councils have requested another 150 fields be assessed for compost turf management. Read more here.
Environmental Impacts
The motion put to Bayside Council for the report into three more "all weather fields" states there are significant advances in developing environmentally-friendly, all-weather playing surfaces.
However, even with advances in synthetic material, these do not meet environmental standards and experts agree that there are significant knowledge gaps, particularly when it comes to exactly what goes into commonly used rubber infill and chemical composition of synthetic turf.
The 2022 NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Independent Review into the design, use and impacts of synthetic turf study in public open space states: ‘Research has suggested that biological pathogens, toxic chemicals, and micro-plastic ingestion are all risks to human health that are associated with synthetic materials.’
Synthetic surfaces are incredibly resource depleting during manufacture, extremely expensive to install, easily damaged, simple to vandalise and are still rendered unusable for some days following heavy rain.
Microplastics
All-weather fields are also a proven and preventable source of the spread of microplastics in the environment. The European Union has banned the type of rubber infill used in synthetic fields due to concerns about microplastics ending up in waterways, giving the industry eight years to switch to alternatives such as cork and wood products. The 2022 Chief Scientist’s report recommended more research into synthetic turf impacts and that measures be taken to mitigate environmental risks. The Total Environment Centre and its Australian Microplastic Assessment Project recently called for a five-year moratorium on new planning and approvals for synthetic grass fields, and to subject existing fields to pollution mitigation measures as soon as possible.
New research suggests that microplastics could be affecting male fertility.
"It's the latest corner of the human body where tiny bits of plastic have turned up — the testicles. Exposure to environmental toxins like microplastics are believed to be contributing to the global decline in sperm count in humans.”
Heat Effect
Surface temperatures on synthetic turf in Sydney can reach near boiling point. In a Western Australian Local Government report, Natural Grass vs Synthetic Turf Study states:
“...synthetic turf surfaces absorb rather than reflect sunlight, causing the emission of heat. These high temperatures not only impact the surrounding environment, but they can also affect the health and safety of athletes and children who use the synthetic turf grounds. They can become an uncomfortable playing surface very quickly, especially for summer sports..."
"Natural grass plays an important role in controlling climate. It's one of the best exterior solar radiation control ground covers, because it absorbs radiation and converts it to food for growth through photosynthesis. Natural grass surfaces reduce temperature extremes by absorbing the sun’s heat during the day and releasing it slowly in the evening."
"The replacement of natural grass with synthetic turf has the opposite effect and can contribute to rising temperatures in urban settings, known as the urban heat island effect. Urban heat islands are created when natural grass and trees are replaced by impervious surfaces which absorb heat. Urban heat islands increase demand for energy (particularly air conditioning), intensify air pollution, and increase heat-related health problems."
Increased risk of injury
A temperature of around 60° C can cause third degree burns in a matter of seconds. The heating of turf endangers athletes’ health.
Sports injuries on artificial turf surfaces come about because of increased rotational traction. Athletes describe the moment of injury as a feeling of “getting stuck”. This can and does result in serious damage to the ligaments of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tears are common rotational injuries caused by playing on plastic grass surfaces. Kids using these artificial surfaces, who are not involved in sport, are also highly susceptible to these knee injuries.
Maintenance and Repair
Synthetic fields are costly to maintain and eventually need to be replaced. Synthetic fields can cost over $200,000 per annum to maintain. It is a fallacy to believe that they cost less to maintain than real grass.
A recent expert report also noted that it is not clear whether expectations about the longevity and carrying capacity of synthetic fields can be met under Australian climatic conditions, potentially influencing decisions about installation and cost-benefit considerations.
The descriptor all-weather surface also needs further examination. Just like natural grass, the synthetic fields are often closed following a heavy downpour. Well-draining grounds with natural grass can often be played on the following day. As synthetic fields don’t absorb moisture they also contribute to stormwater runoff.
Concerns about future use of the parks
Residents have expressed concern that these proposals will now favour only one sport, soccer, and alienate all other activities. The fields are currently used for a number of sports and activities and are an important area for relaxation for residents. It is important that these important community assets are available to all residents, not just football clubs. This is tantamount to a commercialisation/privatisation of these fields.
Residents have also raised concerns about increased parking and noise from football club events if this is going to become the dominant use of the fields. Traffic, illegal parking and blocked streets are already a problem around Jellicoe Park.
COMMUNITY COHESION
The dispute over the installation of a synthetic football field in Gardiner Park (Banksia, Bayside Council) in 2021 ended up in an expensive court battle between some members of the community and Bayside Council. While some residents champion the benefits of improved sports facilities, others still express concerns about environmental impact, cost, noise and potential health risks. Furthermore, residents of Banksia report that the community spirit, for example, unorganised sport (throwing a frisbee) as well as active and passive recreational activities (such as picnics, walking a dog) have not returned to the park.
The case clearly showed how the installation of synthetic fields has the potential to drive a deep and lasting division within our community. To address this, we need to have measures to mitigate the concerns of all residents and create inclusive spaces for the whole community that uses a par.
