Opponents Of Synthetic Turf At Callan Park Draw On Marine Pollution Findings
Image: Callan Park / Facebook
A report into the marine impact of synthetic turf has been seized by opponents of the material’s installation at Callan Park.
In January, analysis by the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP), a citizen group, highlighted the surging quantity of synthetic grass fibres in Sydney waterways. At locations regularly monitored by the group, the concentration of synthetic grass debris was found to have increased about tenfold from 2022 to 2025, reaching over 20 blades per square metre.
They stated that the “increasingly popular” material “has the potential to release microplastics into surrounding drains, parks and waterways.”
The Inner West Council seeks to install synthetic grass on Waterfront Oval beside the Bay Run, and on the field next to Balmain Road. The public submissions period for the proposals ends on Monday 9 February.
A rally to oppose the plan has been scheduled for 11am on Saturday, at the Cecily Street gate to Balmain Oval.
Call for a five-year moratorium on synthetic fields
On publishing their findings, AUSMAP endorsed a five year moratorium on the planning and approval of synthetic grass fields, pending further research on human and environmental harm.
Favouring natural grass, the group says that substantial investment should be undertaken in the drainage infrastructure and condition of grass fields, to disincentivise their replacement.
“Just not right” to replace existing natural fields, says local
Millicent Lamshed is a Balmain resident who recently completed an Honours course in Wildlife Conservation at the University of Sydney.
“As a researcher in wildlife conservation, and a lifelong Inner West local, I believe we need to move beyond a purely anthropocentric view of urban planning, where convenience for one human activity outweighs the health of our local ecosystem.”
She added that there was “clear evidence that modern engineering and the inclusion of organic infill does not solve the problem of microplastic dispersal.”
“Research shows the synthetic fibres detach and tear through use, and inevitably migrate through drainage systems and our waterways. We have observed in lab-based studies that fish behaviourally ingest these fibres, which then accumulate within their digestive tracts.”
“Adding a known source of microplastic pollution directly into our beloved parklands on the foreshore — regardless of the infill used — is an ecological risk we simply cannot mitigate if we value a living, healthy river.”
The Inner West Council and the New South Wales Government are planning to install tidal baths just off Callan Park. “Personally, I would not like to swim in a body of water polluted by microplastics and infill runoff,” Lamshed, who lives across from the park, opined.
She said that it is “just not right” to replace existing “beautiful natural fields” for the benefit of one sport.
Local MP says synthetic turf would be a “quick fix”
Greens MLA Kobi Shetty represents Balmain. “My kids play soccer with a local club, so I get the desire to look at anything that will increase the capacity of our fields,” she told the City Hub.
“But, we mustn’t be so quick to trade off the impact on our wildlife and our harbour in the process, particularly when the Inner West Council haven’t invested enough in best practice maintenance for the grass fields.” Shetty said that the council was trying to use synthetic turf as a “quick fix.”
“Microplastics have tripled in our Sydney waterways in the last three years, so council has to take these concerns and the impact on the environment more seriously,” she said.
“We also know that even with organic infill these fields are way hotter, meaning that on extreme heat days that are becoming more frequent, these fields can’t be used.”
“There are better solutions that haven’t even been attempted, like investing properly in best practice management of natural turf, or hybrid solutions that the football clubs would prefer.”
“The Inner West Council and the NSW state government should be funding these alternatives that the whole community can get behind, including other codes like cricket that will lose access to Waterfront Drive Ground if this project goes ahead.”
The Inner West Council was contacted for comment, but did not respond prior to publication.
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Just a couple of corrections for “Jimmy”. 1. Neither this article or any other has in any way been commissioned by Friends of Callan Park 2. There were over 100 at the rally on February 7 – and a good number of younger people. It’s a pity Jimmy you didn’t stop and engage.
Greenkeeping is hard work. It involves dealing wiht living organisms,, and not just the turf. The soil itself is mostly living matter.
Turf breathes. It absorbs heat and carbon dioxide.
It is pretty, and dedicated greenkeepers are proud of nurturing it.
Replacing it with a polluting plastic imitation is both lazy and, and an act of vandalism, committed in the name of balanced municipal budgets.
Bugger balanced budgets – it rates go up by a couple of dollars to ensure that we have real turf on our parks and playing fields, so be it!
There is no denying the environmental impact of these pitches. They go hot in summer and leach poisons.
I note the tone of Jimmy’s comments. Sarcastic, ageist and sneering. What a fine, inclusive community organisation his must be. Excuse my sarcasm.
I know this won’t get published as I’m not a member of FoCP, par for the course on this site – but let’s try anyway.
Interesting that the article by Lydia Jupp on 5 Feb was not deemed to be FoCP- friendly enough – it actually was almost balanced! So the reponse was for FoCP to commission this media release hot piece (masquerading as a news article) for them to promote instead.
Having been nearby for the FoCP protest rally today, I think I counted 35, maybe 40 people at a stretch (I could count on one hand those under 50) – obviously an incredible level of support for their cause. FoCP labelled it a “great turnout”, maybe it was for them.
Today at Rodd Point Beach (opposite Callan Park) plastic grass blades were found scattered among the tide line: yet there are no plastic sports fields in Iron Cove! These plastic grass blades travelled in Sydney Harbour and along the Parramatta River. Disturbing proof how easily plastic blades travel in waterways. IWC should not be adding to the problem by installing a plastic field anywhere in Callan Park.