Inner West Council have proposed to install synthetic artificial grass across Centenary Park in Croydon. This issue has been contentious for many years in our community as although many residents support sporting participation within our community, there are many concerns regarding the impact of this decision including: 

• Risk to children’s health due to the exposure of chemicals such as lead, heavy metals, benzene, arsenic, Volatile Organic Compounds, PFAS, and phthalates, some of which are cancer-causing (carcinogens), neurotoxins, and/or endocrine disruptors
• Ongoing costs of maintenance of artificial playing surfaces (at a cost to ratepayers)
• Loss of sporting opportunities for families who play in other local sporting clubs, particularly Ashfield Cricket Club, local schools training or for families playing activities where plastic turf is not a suitable playing field
• Loss of green space per capita across the local area, especially accounting for forecasted increased population density in apartment living
• Increased heat absorption of the synthetic surface during hot days, resulting in heat stress for players 
• Impact to the biotic features within the natural park ecosystem and the pollution of rain run off into the nearby canal system

Councillors need to listen and respond to the community’s concerns. A considered and balanced evaluation is required so that Councils respond to each of the above concerns. All residents would support measures and costs associated to improve the drainage naturally at the park, however a rushed roll out like what has been seen across the IWC is not the solution for little Croydon! We can’t afford to get it wrong! 
 
PLEASE NOTE: The official community consultation period led by the council has not yet been announced! Please ensure you also provide your feedback via those direct and official means. This petition is a record to visibly see and hold the council accountable to their result.

Inner West Councillor’s Positions on this proposal:

Izabella Antoniou (Greens) - Against the removal of the natural fields

Philippa Scott, Jo Carlisle and ALL Labor Councillors have pledged support to remove the natural fields and install synthetic surfaces.