The City of South Perth continues to draw attention to themselves with a hard stance on the banning of synthetic turf on their verges.

Let us first take a glance at the advantages of Synthetic Grass Turf and then goes ahead with what all is happening in South Perth. Below listed are few of the advantages:

• The maintenance costs associated upkeep the fields have been drastically reduced with artificial grass turf .You no longer requires supplies for any pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. When it comes to its own maintenance, it just requires regular brushing and vacuuming of the surface. With this, water cost is also reduced. It can last beautifully for ten years.

• Is very suitable for swimming pool areas and roof gardens.

• It requires no recovery periods. This issue occurs due to overuse and is mainly seen with natural grass. The weather does not become an issue in usage as Synthetic Grass Turf fields as they do not become waterlogged or muddy.

• Best for areas where the conditions to grow natural grass is very hostile. Areas that are very dry and arid or receive very sunlight.

A recent article in the Sunday Times highlighted the City’s stance where council rangers stopped the installation of synthetic turf to a ST Columba’s Church.

As many residents within the City of South Perth recognised, Monsignor O’Loughlin, from the church, recognised the difficulties in keeping natural grass looking good during the long hot Perth summer. By investing in an artificial turf alternative, not only does the church present a clean and attractive appeal but saves thousands of dollars in not having to water the grassed area or pay for regular maintenance.

With the Water Corporation spokesman advocating customer choice, and with expensive water saving advertising, it is about time that the City of South Perth woke up to the fact that if they want the residents to look after the City’s verges then they should allow the individuals autonomy in the decision making process.

It is understood that the Council will be re-evaluating its policy in the near future. Prasinus Ecoturf would encourage the City of South Perth and all other Councils to adopt a quality approach to synthetic turf rather than blanket banning. If there is a minimum standard set by the council, all ratepayers would benefit from a more natural looking alternative to organic grass. Thus the shoddy, cheap products would be limited to the properties of the individuals.