A sports fields development has long been planned for this Stromlo site. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
The ACT Government has made changes to its plans for a $27 million sports fields development in the Molonglo Valley but the proposal is still attracting criticism from community members.
Time is running out for the community to comment on an amendment to the original development application submitted in December last year, with submissions closing on 23 January.
The long-planned Stromlo District Playing Fields will be developed in two stages on the south-east corner of UC Stromlo Forest Park on the corner of Cotter and Swallowtail roads, near the 2003 ACT Bushfire Memorial.
Stage one includes site preparation works, a central sports pavilion, one synthetic grass sportsground (consisting of two rectangular fields and one modified AFL oval), match play LED sportsground lighting, a central internal road and landscaping.
Stage two would see one natural grass oval with a centre turf cricket square, adjoining cricket practice nets, one natural grass rectangular field, LED sportsground lighting for both fields and additional landscaping.
It would include an extra 208 car parks (including eight disabled spaces), four secure staff bicycle parking spaces, 22 visitor parking spaces and a bus pick up and drop off area.
The amendment aims to address environment concerns, enhance active travel and manage illegal parking.
But a submission from Wright resident Judy Scott reiterates concerns about the project cost, the loss of bushland on the 14.5 ha site, the environmental impact of synthetic grass, traffic congestion and adverse noise.
The site plan for the Stromlo playing fields project from the amended DA. Image: ACT Government.
Ms Scott says the area threatens to become a heat trap with the loss of trees conspiring with the synthetic turf, which can reach more than 56 degrees Celsius on a hot day compared with 30 degrees for grass and cause heat exhaustion.
The turf itself poses exposure to various harmful chemicals, such as carcinogens, PFAS that can interfere with hormone function and respiratory irritants and increases the risk of injury for players such as as ligament tears.
“As it degrades, it releases microplastics into the environment,” the submission says. “These tiny particles can contaminate waterways and microplastics can leach into local water systems, affecting humans and local wildlife.”
Ms Scott says the government should instead invest in reactivating existing unused playing fields, use school ovals and focus on improving the road system in Molonglo.
The amendment upgrades the standard of stormwater infrastructure to allow for the use of the synthetic grass fields during heavy rain when government turf fields are closed. It is also intended to help prevent synthetic turf material leaving the pitch.
While more than 1200 trees are expected to be removed, the amendment protects a section of sensitive box gum woodland at the northern end of the site near Holdens Creek, saying the new design avoids all direct impacts to the stand.
It will be fenced off from the works, shielded by planted batters along the stormwater channel and the overflow parking area will be bound by boulders on the northern and eastern sides.
The Conservator of Flora and Fauna had sought about 7493 native trees, including shrubs and grasses, to be planted as part of the project, but the amendment says the site is not big enough and bushfire management remains a priority.
More than 4500 additional trees are budgeted to be planted.
Extra active travel works include new marked and raised pedestrian crossings and reduced speed limits (from 60 km/h to 50 km/h) along Swallowtail Road, reinforced by signs and speed bumps.
The field layout has also been adjusted to allow football, rugby league, rugby union and AFL to be played year-round without the requirement to remove goal posts.
A combination of bollards on site and “no stopping” signs along Cotter and Swallowtail roads aims to prevent illegal parking.
The government says the project has been on the drawing board for many years. Construction of the playing fields were funded as part of the 2024-25 ACT Budget.
