Artificial Turf on our school oval

A Sacred Heart Kew school committee has decided to artificially turf the oval? Who is on this committee and why was this decision made?

There are a few concerns:

• Health
• Aesthetics
• Apathy
• Money / Justification on a Catholic social scale
• Infrastructure viability

Health – the foundation layer underneath the artificial turf is pulverised rubber tyres which is a known carcinogen and hence a danger to children. There are also concerns on the turf itself containing lead. (Please click on my links for more background information). “The NSW Greens MP, Cate Faehrmann, said the government should back a moratorium until the health impacts were known. She said one of the most common ingredients used in artificial turf, a type of rubber, had not been subject to any human health or environmental toxicological assessment by the notification and assessment scheme or the Department of Health”.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/threat-of-toxic-playgrounds-20120121-1qb5s.html#ixzz2dhykZqSD

Aesthetics – I have been so proud of Sacred Hearts outdoor amenity being a natural surface. I LOATHE the artificial setting that has become the norm in schools. If the oval is turfed there will be NO natural surface for the children in the school yard at all! It looks hot and is an uncompromising surface when a child falls over. Children will get fake turf burns on their bodies when they fall over. (That is why hockey matches have the sprinkler going the entire game to protect the player’s skin!)

Apathy has not heeded that to grow grass requires maintenance. It requires watering, food and mowing. I am not convinced that watering has taken place and I vehemently object when the school says it has done everything when this basic requirement has not been done.

When the parent body paid for the tank some years ago it was to WATER the oval. When subsequently the sprinkler broke it was not fixed in 2 years! I have NEVER SEEN THE SPRINKLER GOING ON THE OVAL. Why can surround schools, Xavier and Trinity have an oval with grass and it is green despite the fact they have thousands of children playing on it? The pipes that drain into the tank are also compromised and apparently not working to fill the tank. Extraordinary that the tank is not FULL when it is never emptied (ie, the sprinkler is never on).

Money has to come from somewhere to fund this – we already pay the highest fees in Victoria. Why is this so important when there are clearly social justice issues that should come before the parents paying for something they don’t even want? If there has been ANY consultation what percentage of parents support this? I believe that in fairness, the parents who are meant to pay it deserve a say. The parents whose children will be affected deserve a say. The parents who need to justify that their dollar is being potentially redirected from social justice programs within the Catholic system to pay for artificial grass (?) need a say. It is unconscionable to me that this is a priority.

Infrastructure Viability – I have heard that a storm water drain and electrical run underneath the oval. In the event that these need to be worked on/fixed/ upgraded, the artificial turf will be ruined and need to be re-laid. Does anyone know the current cost for artificial turf and should there be council/school works that digs under it, who is liable for the re-lay?

I know the school has a PA that is an advisory body; I say it is a body that is advised. The parents should be provided with answers to these questions but I feel like I am being unreasonable to expect this? I am very concerned at the process and the potential outcome of this initiative. I do not believe it is in the best interests of the children and it is money misspent.  I cannot support this initiative and I would like to see a committee that cares for the current oval and do what is required to maximise our asset. A person at the helm that understands watering and feeding of grass would help. I feel ill at the thought that $29,000 to install a tank at PA expense has been a complete waste of time and money when it has not been given its due chance at success and is now to be wiped for the next idea that does not comply with the due diligence required considering my points above.