Community rallies to stop synthetic turf in Neutral Bay park with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith connection

A COMMUNITY group is saying no to synthetic turf in a harbourside park in North Sydney which has links to aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. In fact, it seems only the local council is in favour.

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A COMMUNITY campaign to stop a synthetic turf pitch in a harbourside park has been ramped up.

North Sydney Council’s plans to install a pitch in Anderson Park at Neutral Bay is infuriating locals.

They have placed signs around the park in protest and gathered more than 300 signatures on a petition.

“Is there anywhere else in Sydney that would convert a historic harbourside park to synthetic?,” asked Colin Lynch, president of Anderson Precinct.

“The overwhelming evidence suggests that the community and local daily users of the park, especially residents with children, are totally opposed to the proposal.”

The community group created signs to raise awareness. Picture: Phillip Rogers

The council wants to transform an existing sports field to a synthetic field with retractable fencing, upgraded lights and increased hours of use.

It was granted permission in December to develop the pitch by the North Sydney Independent Planning Panel.

However, the decision was put on ice pending “a review of council’s conduct” as the applicant of the development application.

The conduct of the panel in making the decision to grant approval will also be reviewed after a vote by councillors on the issue.

The park has links to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Picture: The Courier-Mail photo archive

When asked a series of questions on the issue North Sydney Council responded that a report will be going to Council.

The park dates back to the 1890s and horses grazed on it until a century ago.

In July 1934 Sir Charles Kingsford Smith took off from the park in a plane that he would later make the first trans-Pacific flight in.

Grass concerns

Anthony Muscat, who is on the board of Turf Australia, believes synthetic turf is not a good idea for Anderson Park.

He pointed out on hot days it is much warmer to walk on and it also needs to be washed if there are blood stains.

He was also concerned about injuries such as skin burns that can be sustained on synthetic pitches.

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