Independent Forum re Norman Griffiths Oval on Monday 21st September 2026 at 5.15pm Gordon
Calling on Hoenig to Turf The Council
Ku-ring-gai Council’s “Synthetic Seven” Ramming Through $24m Plastic Grass Without Consultation Six Days After Change of Mayor
Join community members on 5.15pm Monday 21st September for an alternative forum in front of Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers on the Pacific Highway in Gordon.
Council is being asked to commit almost $24.4 million to synthetic turf at Norman Griffiths Oval, while shutting down the community consultation it promised us. Councillor Indu Balachandran fought for consultation. ICAC is already examining some of the players.
And now, for this crucial Extraordinary Council Meeting, there will be no public forum for residents to speak.
SO WE ARE HOLDING OUR OWN!
Please join us at 5.15 pm for a 5.30pm start (sharp) this Monday outside Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers in Gordon for an impromptu community forum. We have speakers, we have signs, we have media.
This project started at $3.1 million and has now reached almost $24.4 million. We warned Council about the flooding and environmental risks. We commissioned independent experts. We went to court. The project subsequently ran into environmental incidents and design problems, the contractor was terminated and the original flood detention design was abandoned.
In May, Council finally paused the project and said it would consult the community before committing more money.
Then on Tuesday, they elected a new Mayor - Kim Wheatley whose steadfast support for plastic turf emboldened Councillors Spencer, Smith and Ngai to push ahead with synthetic turf, cut that consultation and give the broader community NO SAY.
This is particularly concerning because NSW Capital Expenditure Guidelines state that councils must undertake public consultation and engagement before making a commitment to a project.
And the Office of Local Government (OLG) has already told Council that continuing community consultation and reporting is ESSENTIAL! And yet, they intend to cut the community out.
Since Council won't provide a forum for the community to be heard, we will hold one ourselves.
Monday 21 September
5.15pm for a 5.30pm (sharp) start (to finish between 6.00pm - 6.30pm).
Outside Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers, Pacific Highway, Gordon.
OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!
Council is being asked to commit almost $24.4 million to synthetic turf at Norman Griffiths Oval, while shutting down the community consultation it promised us. Councillor Indu Balachandran fought for consultation. ICAC is already examining some of the players.
And now, for this crucial Extraordinary Council Meeting, there will be no public forum for residents to speak.
SO WE ARE HOLDING OUR OWN!
Please join us at 5.15 pm for a 5.30pm start (sharp) this Monday outside Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers in Gordon for an impromptu community forum. We have speakers, we have signs, we have media.
This project started at $3.1 million and has now reached almost $24.4 million. We warned Council about the flooding and environmental risks. We commissioned independent experts. We went to court. The project subsequently ran into environmental incidents and design problems, the contractor was terminated and the original flood detention design was abandoned.
In May, Council finally paused the project and said it would consult the community before committing more money.
Then on Tuesday, they elected a new Mayor - Kim Wheatley whose steadfast support for plastic turf emboldened Councillors Spencer, Smith and Ngai to push ahead with synthetic turf, cut that consultation and give the broader community NO SAY.
This is particularly concerning because NSW Capital Expenditure Guidelines state that councils must undertake public consultation and engagement before making a commitment to a project.
And the Office of Local Government (OLG) has already told Council that continuing community consultation and reporting is ESSENTIAL! And yet, they intend to cut the community out.
Since Council won't provide a forum for the community to be heard, we will hold one ourselves.
Monday 21 September
5.15pm for a 5.30pm (sharp) start (to finish between 6.00pm - 6.30pm).
Outside Ku-ring-gai Council Chambers, Pacific Highway, Gordon.
OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE SILENCED!!
About us:
Quarry Creek Custodians is a loose coalition of community groups on the North Shore of Sydney.
Contact details:
Kristyn Haywood - 0419 429 332
Bronwen Hanna - 0418 227 768
Jane Salmon - 0417 919 354
