|Greens MP for Balmain Kobi Shetty has responded to the Inner West Local Planning Panel’s decision on proposed synthetic fields at Callan Park, saying the outcome shows why independent expert assessment is essential for complex and contested community projects.

The Panel approved the synthetic field proposal at Balmain Road Sporting Ground, subject to conditions, but unanimously refused the proposal for Waterfront Drive Field No.2.

In refusing the Waterfront Drive proposal, the Panel found it was not satisfied the development would avoid the risk of pollutants being released into the Sydney Harbour catchment in the event of flooding, and was not satisfied that sufficient consideration had been given to alternative, less sensitive locations.

Kobi Shetty MP for Balmain said:

“This has always been a difficult and contested issue, with strong views on both sides. Our community needs more and better sporting facilities, but we also need to protect sensitive public parkland, heritage landscapes and the health of Sydney Harbour.

“That is exactly why independent planning panels matter. When a proposal is complex, controversial and involves a place as significant as Callan Park, the community deserves a process that is balanced, evidence-based and independent of political pressure.

“The Panel has approved one field and refused another. The nuanced decision of the panel reflects the kind of careful, site-specific assessment that should happen when decisions have the potential to significantly impact our community and the local environment.

“It is disappointing that the Mayor has been so dismissive of the independent panel process and of the community members who raised legitimate concerns. People who were worried about plastic pollution, heritage impacts and the loss of shared public open space deserved to be heard.

“The unanimous refusal of the Waterfront Drive proposal makes clear these concerns were valid. The Panel identified serious issues, including potential impacts on the Sydney Harbour catchment in the event of a major flood, and a lack of proper consideration of less sensitive locations.

“We need to find ways to support local sport while also protecting our local environment and ensuring our limited public open space can be used by a diverse mix of users. That means taking expert advice seriously and working constructively with the community to find a more balanced solution.”  

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- Background -

• At its meeting on 9 June 2026, the Inner West Local Planning Panel considered two development applications for synthetic grass sporting surfaces at Callan Park.
• The Panel approved DA/2025/1052 for the Balmain Road Sporting Ground by majority, subject to conditions including a requirement that the playing field and surrounding synthetic turf surfaces be a muted green colour sympathetic to the natural surrounds.
• The Panel unanimously refused DA/2025/1053 for Waterfront Drive Field No.2. Reasons included concern that, in the event of flooding, the development may result in a release of pollutants that could adversely impact the water quality of Sydney Harbour, and concern that alternative, less sensitive locations had not been sufficiently considered.