Charles Bean Oval Surface Replacement

The current synthetic surface has reached the end of its useful life after 11 years. A 2022 report confirmed the field no longer meets FIFA standards and requires replacement.

Council is seeking community feedback to help determine whether the field should be replaced with natural turf or synthetic turf. Your input will help inform the final decision.

Northern Suburbs Football Association (2,229 hours), Lindfield Learning Village (1,338 hours), and casual hirers (54 hours) - totaling 3,621 hours annually. This is three times the usage of similar nearby fields because synthetic surfaces can generally handle much higher use.

• Option 1: Synthetic turf with modern technology and controls to prevent microplastic migration
• Option 2: Natural turf using best practice construction methods

A hybrid surface is not being considered as the technology isn't proven for high-use public fields.

At Charles Bean Oval synthetic turf supports current high usage levels, works in all weather conditions with no recovery time, and has predictable maintenance costs comparable to mowing natural turf.

Modern synthetic surfaces no longer use crumbed rubber infill. Any new installation would include boot cleaning stations and enhanced maintenance to trap microplastics before they enter waterways. Council participates in studies to help mitigate microplastic concerns.

Natural turf offers minimal environmental impact and an opportunity to build Ku-ring-gai's first best-practice natural turf field.

Cannot support current usage - would require reduced hours for Northern Suburbs Football Association or Lindfield Learning Village with limited alternative locations available. May need closure during prolonged wet weather and weeks to recover. Requires irrigation and higher variable maintenance costs including water, fertilizer, and turf replacement.

Yes for synthetic turf. For natural turf, the budget is sufficient for the surface itself, but there may be additional costs to remove the existing engineered subgrade and install proper drainage systems.

Synthetic turf has fixed maintenance costs. Natural turf has higher variable costs including irrigation water, fertilizer, topsoil, turf, seed, and irrigation maintenance.

The site has limited parking. However parking in available in Lindfield Learning Village. To access this Council will need to pay the NSW department of education an annual fee to use this facility.

Complete the online survey on on this webpage or send a written submission. Results will inform the concept plan for the replacement.