In a landmark decision that reflects growing community and environmental concern across Australia, Byron Shire Council voted on 21 May 2026 to formally prioritise natural turf over synthetic turf in public open spaces.
The adopted motion recognises synthetic turf as a “high-impact material” and restricts its use to circumstances where natural alternatives are demonstrated to be unviable.
This is not simply a symbolic statement. It represents one of the clearest policy positions yet taken by an Australian council on the future of synthetic turf in public spaces.
The motion commits Council to a series of important principles, including:
- minimising heat-intensive materials in public open spaces;
- supporting cooling, soil health and biodiversity;
- applying the precautionary principle where credible environmental or health risks exist; and
- considering long-term waste and end-of-life impacts associated with artificial turf systems.
Importantly, Byron Shire Council confirmed that natural turf will now be treated as the preferred default surface for council-owned parks, sporting fields and landscaped areas. Any future synthetic turf proposal must be reported to Council and demonstrate why natural alternatives are not viable.
The motion also requires future proposals to address:
- heat impacts;
- hydrology and flooding risks;
- health considerations;
- end-of-life disposal; and
- consistency with Council’s climate and environmental objectives.
This decision reflects a much broader shift now occurring across New South Wales and internationally.
The background report supporting the motion acknowledged growing evidence and concern surrounding:
- PFAS and chemical exposure risks associated with crumb rubber infill;
- microplastic pollution;
- extreme surface temperatures on synthetic fields;
- urban heat island impacts;
- biodiversity loss;
- flood-related risks; and
- long-term waste management challenges.
The report specifically referenced NSW Government synthetic turf assessment guidelines, the NSW Chief Scientist review, and research highlighting that synthetic surfaces can reach temperatures capable of causing serious skin burns during hot weather.
Importantly, Council staff also acknowledged that advances in modern natural turf systems can improve field capacity through:
- better drainage;
- improved soil health;
- climate-resilient grass species;
- scheduling and rotation strategies; and
- improved construction and maintenance techniques.
Perhaps most significantly, Byron Shire Council’s report reframed the debate entirely.
Rather than asking how synthetic turf can be rolled out more quickly, the report asked a more important question:
How do councils create sporting and recreational spaces that remain environmentally responsible, climate-resilient and sustainable for future generations?
Council staff concluded that public open spaces should function as “living systems” that support biodiversity, cooling, water infiltration and community wellbeing — not simply as sealed plastic surfaces.
The motion also proposes investigating amendments to the Development Control Plan to discourage synthetic turf and plastic ground coverings in new developments where natural alternatives are viable.
For many communities watching similar debates unfold across Sydney and regional NSW, Byron Shire Council’s decision may prove highly influential.
It signals that councils are increasingly moving away from treating synthetic turf as the default “high-capacity” solution and are instead demanding stronger evidence, better environmental assessment and more rigorous long-term cost and risk analysis before replacing natural green space with plastic surfaces.
