Council plan to convert Rofe Park into synthetic pitch sparks petitions by 4100 residents

A plan to tear up grass and lay fake lawn at a popular north shore park is set to be determined later this month – sparking a mixed response from residents and sporting clubs.

A banners opposing the synthetic pitch has gone up at Rofe Park.

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A plan to turn a north shore park into a synthetic field for local sporting clubs has taken root – sparking conflicting petitions signed by more than 4100 residents.

Ku-ring-gai Council has moved ahead with plans to replace the grass sportsfield at Rofe Park, also known as Mimosa Sportsground, with synthetic turf to accommodate clubs including the West Pymble Football Club and Northern Suburbs Football Association.

The council said the $1.8 million project would address the region’s population growth, rising participation in sport and “wear and tear” on existing ovals in the municipality.

The existing grass turf at Rofe Park

The works were originally proposed at Norman Griffiths Oval in West Pymble – the home ground of the West Pymble Football Club – until an analysis found the site was “not viable” due to floor risks and “prohibitive” costs of up to $1.7 million.

The project’s relocation to Rofe Park has been backed by sporting clubs, with the Northern Suburbs Football Association saying it would allow members to train and compete throughout the year.

The council has recommended the project move to design and construction phases in 2019/20 along with general upgrades at Norman Griffiths Oval.

But residents and members of the Friends of Mimosa Oval, Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest community group have raised concerns over the project including impacts on existing users and other sporting groups.

Cricket players at Rofe Park

“This is a shared football and cricket field and the proposal excludes cricket completely at a time when their members are increasing – particularly in the girls and women’s’ competitions,” resident Trish Lynch said.

“They don’t let dogs on the plastic fields because if they defecate it’s very hard to clean off and they won’t let kids on cycle on it.

“With the heat in summer, cricket clubs won’t be able to compete on it either and a lot of parents are saying they wouldn’t want their children playing on it.

“If it’s converted where will the existing users go?”

Clubs said the proposal would allow the facility to be used for training throughout the year.

Opposition to the project has prompted a petition signed by 1872 people – along with banners at the park calling for “no plastic grass” at the facility.

Another petition by the West Pymble Football Club supporting the conversion meanwhile generated 2060 signatures as of Sunday.

West Pymble Football Club president Kevin Johnson said the project would meet rising participation in the sport – adding wild weather and overuse of the existing grass pitch limited play outside April-August.

“A synthetic pitch … will allow more teams to train and play on a first-class, safer, synthetic playing surface, improving the football experience of junior and senior players,” the 1000-strong member club said.

A report by the council said synthetic surfaces could sustain 60 hours of use per week compared with 20 hours of high-quality grass surfaces.

“To meet existing and projected demand more sports fields are required and … substantially increasing use can only be achieved by constructing synthetic turf surfaces,” the council said.

“While the region does not have adequate sports fields, it also does not have large greenfield areas for new sports fields. Consequently, increased use of existing sports fields needs to occur.”

The council has budgeted $932,000 towards the project. An additional $929,000 has been contributed by the State Government and clubs including the West Pymble Football Club and Northern Suburbs Football Association.

The Friends of Mimosa Oval, Rofe Park and Sheldon Forest has called for the council to pitch in additional funds to create the synthetic pitch at Norman Griffiths Oval, saying it would be a “win-win” for residents and sporting clubs.

Councillors are due to vote on the council recommendation at a meeting on November 19.

A further 395 official submissions have been lodged to the council, of which 206 were in favour and 177 opposed.

Figures by the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils show demand on sporting fields is expected to require an additional 62ha of playing space across the region by 2026 and 96ha by 2036.