NSW Chief Scientist calls for more research into synthetic sports fields

A newly released report from the NSW Government's Chief Scientist and Engineer has identified significant "knowledge gaps" in relation to the use of synthetic turf in public open spaces and sports fields.

The report, from Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, has highlighted that there is a lack of standards in relation to the use of synthetic turf fields but has not recommended any restriction of their use as some campaigners and anti-sport community groups had sought.

Completed in October last year, but only released earlier this month, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte’s report states “many synthetic sports fields in NSW feature long synthetic blades supported by infill, the most commonly used infill is styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) crumb sourced from recycled tyres. SBR crumb is the material most associated with community concerns about contamination.

“Currently, there is insufficient information and a lack of standards about the materials and chemical composition of synthetic turf (so) to aid decision-making, more accessible data regarding the installation, volumes, and composition of synthetic turf in public and private settings across NSW is required.

“The composition of fields is particularly important to inform end of life disposal plans, given many of the synthetic fields installed in NSW will reach their end of life over the next decade.”

Following significant growth in the installation of artificial turf sports fields in the past decade to meet increasing demands for sports field, the report notes “a conservative estimate indicates there are currently approximately 181 synthetic turf sports fields in NSW, an increase from approximately 24 in 2014 and 30 in 2018.”

With artificial surface fields allowing extended usage, community groups have sprung up across Sydney opposing their installation, citing loss of green space and concerns about the use of recycled rubber and plastic as an infill - although not all synthetic sports fields use those materials.

These local concerns prompted the previous NSW Coalition Government to get Professor Durrant-Whyte to investigate.

In the report he went on to acknowledge increased heat effects were a concern and raised doubts about the turf's performance claims in Australia's climate, adding “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 report also noted that improvements in natural turf management meant grass fields may allow for increased performance to meet demand.

Rather than follow the example of the European Commission, which is moving towards a ban on use microplastics such as recycled rubber, the Chief Scientist recommended NSW instead adopt an "accelerated learn and adapt approach".

In April, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and the Landscape Institute of the UK partnered with the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) to launch the ‘Say No to Plastic Grass & Plants’ campaign, highlighting that replacing natural grass with synthetic surfaces destroys the habitats on which wildlife depend, as turf contains "a vast ecosystem of organisms ... helping both the food chain and biodiversity".

Click here to view the final report of the Independent review into the design, use and impacts of synthetic turf in public open spaces as undertaken by the NSW Government's Chief Scientist and Engineer.