Sustainable Facilities

Use of synthetic turf

The department strongly encourages schools to use natural grass rather than synthetic turf where appropriate. The reasons for this include:

• climate resilience: open space with natural grass can improve resilience to extreme weather events, such as bushfires, floods and heatwaves, by improving air quality and reducing temperatures and flood risk in urban areas, while sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• heat: natural grass mitigates the urban heat island effect, adding a passive cooling effect, particularly in summer. Synthetic turf generally absorbs, rather than reflects sunlight, causing the emission of heat
  • the impact of higher heat can be severe, with children more at risk than adults for developing heat stress and skin injuries (such as blisters and burns)
• sustainability and environmental impact: synthetic fibres in synthetic turf can break off, polluting waterways, especially after periods of heavy rainfall or flooding
• waste: synthetic turf is difficult to recycle and reuse and it is likely to end up in a landfill and not breakdown. Natural grass surfaces on the other hand are naturally renewing and regenerating
• biodiversity: natural grass can be home to local ecosystems and small-scale biodiversity and these spaces can help to support local fauna and flora in the area. Synthetic turf hinders this, and will remove a local ecosystem that would otherwise support insect and bird life in the area
• injury: synthetic turf creates a slightly greater risk of abrasiveness on skin and a higher injury rate due to reduced shock absorption
• connection to nature: spending time in nature is proven to reduce symptoms of stress, anger, depression, and fatigue and lead to increases in happiness. Replacing natural grass with synthetic turf reduces connection to nature, and the associated feelings of relaxation and restoration
• drainage: if installed without adequate drainage, synthetic turf can cause water to pool on the surface during heavy rainfall. This can lead to problems both with the turf itself and the underlying foundation, as well as creating a breeding ground for bacteria, mosquitoes and other insects.

While use of natural grass is encouraged, schools may consider using synthetic turf in small spaces only where grass is difficult to establish and maintain (due to constant shade, for example).

When using synthetic turf the following requirements must be met:

• fit-for-purpose and durable:
  • the turf effectively serves the intended function, whether that is aesthetic or functional, for example, can withstand the level of foot traffic, environmental conditions or moisture levels
  • the materials are long-lasting and able to maintain their integrity and appearance despite regular use and exposure to the elements
• a minimum 19 mm pile length
• a minimum 1,000 g/m² pile weight
• sand-filled
• well-drained.

It is recommended that schools instead consider and preference other hard landscaping options, shade-loving indigenous ground cover plants, permeable pavers, or a combination thereof wherever possible.

Design of grassed areas

Natural grass can also encounter issues like becoming muddy or too dry, which can reduce its usability. Therefore, when developing
general grassed areas and sports playing fields, it is recommended that schools consider the following:

• site conditions such as tree shade and slope
• regional weather and climate patterns
• rainfall data and available water, fertiliser, and labour for maintenance
• drainage design, particularly in winter
• how often the area will be used, and during which seasons the area will be used (grass wears quicker in winter).

When selecting turf species, it is recommended that schools consider species that provide a full uniform turf coverage, are drought tolerant, hard wearing and show good recovery potential.

For further detail on sports playing fields design and turf selection, schools can refer to the Building Quality Standards Handbook (BQSH).