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The City of Sydney is investing in five synthetic sports fields to deliver the growing inner-city population more opportunities to play and train. The aim is to increase the play/train at sports fields by 16,000 hours by 2030 – nearly two years of continuous playing hours.

The five new sports fields - in Zetland, Annandale, Alexandria and Rosebery along with two in Alexandria - have high quality synthetic surfaces that can be used all year round and in all weathers.

City of Sydney Council advise that their study of open spaces, recreation and sport needs highlighted how people playing sport and using sports fields are changing. It also showed the need to increase the capacity of existing sports fields and build new ones to meet growing demand in their local area.

In contrast to the synthetic surface, Council note that turf surfaces can only be used for 20 to 25 hours a week before they deteriorate and bare patches begin to emerge. Overuse requires returfing the pitches or they become unusable.

The synthetic surfaces don’t require the application of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides that can harm the environment…and they help save water. A FIFA sized grass multipurpose field also needs around seven megalitres of water – the equivalent of three to four Olympic swimming pools of water every year.

Annandale: The City of Sydney is working on the concept design for a synthetic sports field as part of work to expand green spaces and recreational areas at The Crescent in Annandale.

Alexandria: In Alexandria the City of Sydney recently asked locals for their feedback on a proposal to build a FIFA sized synthetic sports field as part of the upgrade of Perry Park in this fast growing neighbourhood.

Alexandria: The area will gain a second synthetic sports field when the NSW Government’s redevelopment of Alexandria Park Community School is complete in 2022. This multipurpose field will be a shared facility managed jointly by the City of Sydney and the school, used by students and staff during school hours and by residents the rest of the time.

Rosebery: The City of Sydney are also working on plans to upgrade the sports fields to synthetic grass at Turruwul Park in Rosebery.

Zetland: In February the City of Sydney opened a new multipurpose synthetic sports field in Gunyama Park in Zetland along with an aquatic centre and other fitness facilities.

Images: The new synthetic field at the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre (top, credit/ Chris Southwood/City of Sydney) and artist’s impression of the proposed synthetic field at Perry Park (below, credit: City of Sydney).

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