Sydney Council to install Australia’s first 'environmentally sensitive' synthetic football field

The Lane Cove Council on Sydney's North Shore has advised that it will install what it says will be Australia’s first 'environmentally sensitive' artificial turf football field at the Bob Campbell Oval in the suburb of Greenwich.

The project proposes that the synthetic field be constructed without any performance infill made of micro plastics.

The Council advises that artificial turf surfaces play a crucial role in accommodating the high demand and use of football fields across metropolitan Sydney.

Explaining that a synthetic surface can be played on intensively and extensively throughout all weather conditions, Lane Cove Council Mayor, Pam Palmer stated “this is a significant step forward in environmental performance and I’m pleased that Lane Cove Council will be kick-starting an Australian first.

“If our efforts enable a faster take up of this new technology, then it’s a win-win for the environment and the community”.

Northern Suburbs Football Association Chief Executive, Ed Ferguson welcomes the installation, noting “we are excited to hear news of the installation of a synthetic field at Bob Campbell Oval. Local community football has grown by 1,200 players in 2021, now totalling 18,100 participants in the NSFA region which places more stress on our current facilities.

“The Bob Campbell Oval development will increase the capacity of the sports field meaning more players will be able to safely participate for more hours each week, not to mention the benefit towards local community users for their informal activities.

“The field will provide a suitable home for Greenwich Sports Club who have the largest female player representation in the region of 50%. Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in just over two years we anticipate this trend to continue, meaning Greenwich can continue to be a home of female football participation”.

Football NSW Chief Executive, Stuart Hodge added “the proposed synthetic field directly relates to the NSW Football Infrastructure Strategy and the key pillar, ‘improve existing venue capacity’. Maximising the carrying capacity and activation of existing football grounds and venues is a key objective of the strategy as football continues to grow particularly post COVID-19.

“Infrastructure developments such as Bob Campbell Oval not only enable growth in the game, but they also enable broader community development. Ensuring communities have adequate spaces where people can actively and safely engage in sport and recreation can provide improved social, health, educational and cultural outcomes for all”.

The synthetic surface proposed is a fully woven product made of one polymer family (polyolefin). The woven construction results in the grass fibres and backing structure being produced as one combined product, with superior tuft lock and filament bind to traditional tufted grass. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of lost fibres migrating into the environment.

The redevelopment of Bob Campbell Oval will include a synthetic football field, improvements to passive recreation, a fitness track, upgraded playground, a BBQ picnic area and an amenity building creating a fantastic piece of local infrastructure for the community to enjoy.

The development has not been entirely welcomed with a residents group opposing the proposal.

The Greenwich Community Association (GCA) sees that the development will mean the loss of the only significant piece of level green open space in Greenwich for active and passive recreation, off-leash dog walking and a plethora of family-friendly activities better conducted on grass than a synthetic field.

Earlier this year, campaigns by community groups objecting to synthetic grass installations at sportsfields led NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes to prompt his department to investigate sustainable alternatives to synthetic grass.

This study is understood to be ongoing with no results yet released.

Lower image shows the Bob Campbell Oval prior to the installation of the proposef artificial turf field.