Residents launch legal action against Ku-ring-gai Council over Norman Griffiths Oval synthetic turf upgrade

Upper north shore residents have banded together to take their local council to court in a battle over a contentious plan to install synthetic turf at a popular sporting hub.

A community-led court challenge has been launched over the synthetic turf upgrade.

Upper north shore residents have banded together to take their local council to court in a battle over a contentious plan to install synthetic turf at a popular sporting hub.

A grassroots community group has launched legal action against Ku-ring-gai Council in the Land and Environment Court in a bid to halt the council’s $3.3m upgrade of Norman Griffiths Oval at West Pymble.

The upgrade – approved by the council earlier this year – includes adding synthetic turf to the site to create more durable playing grounds for local sporting groups.

But the project was met with staunch opposition from environmental groups and residents who argued the project could result in damaging stormwater run-off from the synthetic turf which could cause environmental harm to surrounding bushland.

Residents have now banded together – raising tens of thousands of dollars in cash and hiring their lawyers – to fund a legal challenge against the council with the hope of stopping the project before the synthetic turf is laid in the coming months.

A concept image of the council’s synthetic turf upgrade.

It is understood the case partly centres on the council’s review of environmental factors (REF) report into the project which residents claim lacked assessments of flood impacts required under NSW Environmental Planning regulations.

It is understood the case also centres on lack of environmental assessment of the synthetic turf material.

The upgrade was approved by the council earlier this year.

Ku-ring-gai Council has declined to comment on details of the case as well as questions relating to the review of environmental factors report.

Residents associated with the case said the construction timetable for the upgrade had outlined the synthetic turf was due to be installed by September.

“We’re just trying to get it resolved before the grass is laid and that’s why the case has been expedited,” the resident said.

“We never wanted it to end up in court but we feel like we’ve been left with no other choice.”

The court challenge is playing out in the Land and Environment Court.

Many local sporting groups have publicly backed the upgrade, including the Northern Suburbs Football Association which has a player base of more than 10,000 members.

The football association said conversion and associated lighting upgrades would triple the number of hours the field can be used per week and allow year-round usage instead of a rest period during summer.

The legal case has been supported by multiple environmental groups including Friends of Lane Cove National Park.

Group president Tony Butteriss believes run-off from the synthetic turf field could impact endangered ecological areas and bushcare sites within the national park.

“It’s very disappointing the upgrade was just steamrolled through without more consultation with residents in the first place,” he said.

“It would have been a lot better if there was more discussion with residents”

A council spokeswoman in a statement said: “Council is defending the matter in court and looks forward to the matter being determined by the court.”