Fake turf ban on verges tipped for Tea Tree Gully
Tea Tree Gully residents could be banned from installing fake turf on verges.
North
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A fake turf ban on verges could be imposed across Tea Tree Gully.
Applications to install plastic or artificial grass on verges would no longer be considered under a new proposal assessed by the council’s policy and strategic development committee.
Cr Damian Wyld said the current policy, which “discourages” applications, was “not helpful” for council staff ruling on applications.
“It needs to be either yes or no,” Cr Wyld told The Messenger.
The council will consider the proposal after a committee vote was deadlocked 2-2 on August 21.
It comes as Marion Council turfed out its controversial policy to allow artificial lawn on nature strips in May.
Tea Tree Gully Council officers say fake turf is a petroleum-based product which creates pollution and waste in the manufacturing process, which will eventually end up in landfill.
However, Cr Lucas Jones said the council should not be telling residents to not use synthetic grass while at the same time spending millions on synthetic grass at sporting clubs.
“While I am open to listening to the debate when it comes back to council … I would find the proposed ban hypocritical given the large amount of money we spend on synthetic grass for sports clubs,” Cr Jones said.
“I acknowledge that it is difficult for council to maintain every verge out the front of residents houses in the city, so why should we ban residents from wanting to use synthetic grass themselves?
“We should be allowing ratepayers greater flexibility when it comes to maintaining and upgrading a verge out the front of their house because ultimately they are doing our council a favour.
“Will council increase their service level of verges where residents are told they can’t lay synthetic grass instead?”
A recent heatmap report, which was presented to the committee, identified the hottest surface in the council area was artificial turf.
It also cited Flinders University findings that fake grass can destroy micro-organisms in the soil underneath the grass, affecting the health of surrounding plants.