General growth in population, both within the municipality as well as the greater metropolitan area has led to a larger growth in sports club membership and, as a result, greater demand for sports fields. The popularity of sports such as soccer and touch football has also led to much greater demand than that as recently as five years ago.
Changing demographics in areas such as Kensington, Docklands and the resulting increased number of families has seen a huge increase in demand for facilities to cater for junior sports.
Our sports fields are maintained and managed to a very high degree, and we monitor unauthorised use by sports clubs (particularly in relation to pre-season training) which has continued to grow as a significant issue, particularly in recent years.
Recent and current works provide opportunities for greater sporting activities within the municipality.
These include upgrades to irrigation systems in order to maximise water usage, reductions in training loads on sports fields, installation of synthetic surfaces and, in limited cases, reductions in competition use.
Other options could include reclaiming general parkland for conversion back into sports fields and the purchase of land for use as sports fields.
All yarn used in the manufacture of synthetic sports fields in Australia are lead free and recyclable. We are investigating non-recycled rubber infill, however a study conducted by the New York Department of Health has found the use of recycled rubber infill presents no negative environmental impact.
Additionally, after the installation of synthetic surfaces there is no ongoing use of herbicide, pesticide or fertilisers as there is in a natural turf field.
It is proposed to install up to four synthetic sports fields (one in each of Council’s sports precincts – JJ Holland Park, Princes Park, Fawkner Park and Royal Park) over the next four financial years. Significant consultation has taken place with all tenant sports clubs, who are supportive of these installations.
It is recognised that detailed community consultation will be required with the relevant park users and stakeholders prior to any future installation of synthetic surfaces.
There has been some community concern in relation to converting natural turf to synthetic turf. Much of this concern relates to the suggested environmental impacts of synthetic turf and the perception that the installation of a synthetic sports field effectively precludes use of the area by other park users.
There may also be a view that a natural asset should not be replaced with an artificial surface.
A number of sports have approved and adopted synthetic sports fields for both training and competition use, including:
It is estimated that a full-sized soccer pitch could capture up to 1.9 megalitres of rain water annually through direct rainfall. Further water savings could be achieved by linking the underground tanks to nearby infrastructure such as stormwater and local building roofs.
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