Ku-ring-gai ‘turf war’ returns to Lindfield’s Charles Bean Oval

Ku-ring-gai has waded into yet another debate around synthetic and natural turf, with the upper North Shore council announcing both options are on the table for Charles Bean Oval.

What happened: A report commissioned by Ku-ring-gai Council in 2022 found the current synthetic pitch at Charles Bean Oval was no longer up to FIFA standards, and recommended surface renewal in the near future. 

These standards include the field’s shock absorption, infill depth, how a ball rolls on it and general wear and tear.

Three years after the report was commissioned, council is seeking public comment on whether the turf should be natural or synthetic grass. 

The players: Local environmental groups, such as South Turramurra Environment Protection, are opposed to synthetic turf. Among their concerns is the fact that the oval sits on bushfire prone land. 

According to NSW Government guidelines, “synthetic turf sports fields should not be located in areas of high bushfire and extreme flood risk”.

Local football association NSFA has championed the current synthetic pitch, claiming that “synthetic access at Charles Bean has been one of the only reasons we were able to keep football running”.

Heavy user: The NFSA was the most prolific user of the field in 2024, hiring it for 2,360 hours.

There has been an increase in usage at the oval during the school week following the opening of public school Lindfield Learning Village in 2019. 

Ku-ring-gai Council's public consultation is open until December 16. You can comment here.

Image credit: NSFA