Tea Tree Gully Council to reject all fake turf applications for verges
Fake turf will no longer be allowed on verges outside residential properties in Tea Tree Gully, after the council voted to reject all future applications.
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Fake turf has been officially banned in Tea Tree Gully.
The council voted 9-3 on Tuesday night to reject all future applications for artificial grass on verges outside residential properties.
Cr Damian Wyld said the council’s current policy, which “discourages” applications, was “not helpful” for council staff ruling on applications.
He said there was clear environmental evidence for not approving fake turf in the future, like a recent council heatmap which identified the hottest surface in the region was artificial turf.
“It has a use, it has a place, but not in our verges,” Cr Wyld said.
Cr Jess Lintvelt said it was a “clear cut” decision for the council.
“At Tea Tree Gully we strive to be ‘naturally better’. So let’s live up to that,” Cr Lintvelt said.
Cr Robin Coleman said all fake grass would eventually end up in landfill and should not be permitted.
However, Cr Lucas Jones accused Cr Coleman of hypocrisy by supporting fake turf rollouts at local sporting clubs like Modbury Jets Soccer Club.
“You have supported tonnes of synthetic grass,” Cr Jones said.
“It’s not like you’re going to see a tidal wave of people come in and do some serious damage.
“We need a consistent approach. It’s not fair to have one rule for the City of Tea Tree Gully (permitting fake turf at sporting clubs) and one rule for residents.”
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Cr Rob Unger said there had only been four applications to the council for fake turf over the past six months.
Council officers say fake turf is a petroleum-based product which creates pollution and waste in the manufacturing process.
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.