Residents demand Marion Council to overturn decision to place artificial turf on nature strips

Last month, Marion Council passed a narrow vote to allow artificial lawn on nature strips. Now angry residents are fighting back.

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More than 100 people have signed an online petition calling on Marion Council to overturn a decision that will allow artificial lawn along nature strips.

An environmental group operating under the name of Living Smarties hopes their outcry will persuade the council to re-think its fake grass policy.

Group member Jane Preston, of Glengowrie, condemns artificial lawn as being “significantly hotter” than the real thing and likely to increase temperatures wherever it was installed.

It would also result in more plastic being sent to landfill, she says.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, but I just couldn’t stand by and let this happen without trying to do something about it,” Ms Preston says.

“Do we really want fraying, dusty, plastic, artificial lawn verges that will become toxic landfill in 10 years, or nature strips filled with flowers, grasses, herbs and the like providing habitat for bees, butterflies, birds and harmony for residents?

An example of artificial lawn on a nature strip in Melbourne.

“Marion Council should be encouraging real, natural, greening options and help residents make good decisions that will benefit the community and the environment.”

In just 24 hours, Ms Preston’s petition has been signed by 109 people.

She intends to submit it when she leads a deputation to a future council meeting.

Cr Bruce Hull said the council should reverse the decision as it was “not a great example of Marion Council’s environmental credentials”.

He said residents were so angry about the decision that staff were being confronted on the streets.

“I welcome (the petition) – this is the democratic process working,” Cr Hull said.

“I think people are thinking “Is this what we want?’ The biggest topic in the federal election is the environment, and the community is becoming more and more aware and sensitive about environmental issues.”

Marion mayor Kris Hanna, who – at the decisive council meeting – broke a tied vote by voting in favour of allowing artificial lawn, said he had an “open mind” if the matter came back before the council.

“I don’t plan positions in advance,” he said. “If there is new information, then of course I’ll look at it.”

At the time of the vote, Mr Hanna acknowledged it was a “vexed issue” but said that given the size of the problem, he would support it.