North Sydney Council’s decision to scrap synthetic grass plan for historic Anderson Park cheered by local community

A PLAN to tear up the grass at a harbourfront park and lay fake lawn instead has been turfed by North Sydney council — leaving the mayor ‘embarrassed’ and ‘ashamed’.

The Anderson Park community rallied against synthetic turf.

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THE proposal to lay synthetic turf at North Sydney’s Anderson Park has been given the chop.

Natural grass has triumphed over nylon, following a unanimous decision by North Sydney Council on Monday night to reject a proposal to lay synthetic turf in the harbourside park.

The turf was the major thrust of a development plan to upgrade the park at a cost of more than $1.9 million.

The synthetic turf would have covered the size of a soccer field and taken up half the park. The plan triggered a huge community protest including a petition of nearly 700 signatures.

Embarrassed and ashamed: North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson.

Mayor Jilly Gibson confessed to being ashamed by the council’s lack of community consultation on the project.

“It was absolute nonsense to spend more than $2 million of ratepayers’ money on something they simply don’t want,’’ she said.

“We can’t possibly rip up this beautiful green grass, lay down a slab of cement, a big thick slab of cement, and cover it with artificial turf.

“I have got to say this is the worst location that I can think of to put a synthetic surface.’’

Cr Gibson admitted the council had handled the proposal badly.

“I would like as mayor to apologise to the community for the process to date, I feel embarrassed by it. I feel ashamed by it.”

The park has one of the most scenic outlooks in Sydney. Picture: John Grainger

The Anderson Park community rallied against synthetic turf.

Anderson Park Precinct Committee president Colin Lynch said he was delighted with the decision.

“It’s a good victory for the community and for democracy,’’ he said.

“The decision will be welcomed by the many thousands of people who live in this densely populated area.”

Mr Lynch said he suspected council may have been pressured by sporting groups who wanted to use the park more.

“We’re not against sport or playing fields — it just wasn’t the best thing for this park.

“Synthetic turf is just not natural. It’s just not what people want — the people who like to walk their dogs, have a picnic, fly a kite, have a barbecue ... ‘’

The council will draw up new masterplan and plan of management for the park, with extensive community consultation.

North Sydney Council had planned to cover the Anderson Park playing fields with synthetic turf.

The decision to reject the turf met with a round of applause at the council meeting on Monday.

Only one supporter of the new surface addressed the meeting.

North Sydney United president Simon Cox, said a new synthetic surface would allow the club to “carry on increasing our junior base”.

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.

Another turf war rages

The decision to reject synthetic turf at Anderson Park has bolstered the hopes of the Headland Preservation Group which is fighting to stop similar turf being laid at Middle Head and Georges Heights ovals.

Following community consultation, Mosman Council has supported the installation of a synthetic grass surface at Middle Head Oval and have asked the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to support the proposal.

The park has a special place in Australian aviation history.