New synthetic turf guidelines to provide best practice management

The NSW Government has today released new guidelines to enable best practice management of synthetic turf sports fields across the state.

The Synthetic Turf Sports Fields in Public Open Space Guideline serves as a practical tool for stakeholders, including local councils, in managing potential environmental and human health risks in the design and management of synthetic turf sports sites.

The guideline has been developed following an independent review by the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (OCSE) into the design, use and impacts of synthetic turf in public open spaces and has been informed by extensive consultation with local councils, government agencies and peak sporting bodies.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has also released a Guidelines for Division 5.1 Assessments - Addendum for Synthetic Sports Fields to help councils and government agencies undertake an environmental assessment of synthetic turf sports fields appropriately.

This guideline will come into effect from 25 August 2025 and provides key decision makers such as councils with an understanding of how to apply the recommendations to their work.

The OCSE report provided 17 recommendations on the use of synthetic turf in public open space. It did not cover synthetic turf in private or residential settings, streetscapes, or play spaces.

The recommendations seek to mitigate and address gaps identified with environmental and human health considerations in the planning pathways. This includes:

• Sustainability and end-of-life factors of synthetic turf use.
• Establishment of minimum open data standards to capture synthetic turf site characteristics.
• Identification of research priorities to address research gaps in key areas of concern.

A cross-Government working group, led by the Department was established to coordinate the NSW Government's response to the OCSE report.

Acting Deputy Secretary for Planning, Land Use Strategy and Housing Alison Burton said:

"The use of synthetic turf as a replacement for natural turf in public open space has attracted considerable interest from the community.

"The Department notes the OCSE Report's recommendations which are focused on managing potential environmental and human health risks while improving decision-making.

"Shaped by extensive consultation, the guidelines provide a clear, practical framework for balancing the growing demand for high-quality sports infrastructure with the need for sustainable and responsible planning."