Northcote man defies Darebin Council order to pull up synthetic turf on his nature strip.

Feb 27, 2013
2 min read

Ali Mekawy with his children Zak, Isaac, Noah and Nabilah at the front of their house where Mr Mekawyi has been told by Darebin Council to rip up the artificial turf. Picture: Robert Mckechnie n35nl103

A NORTHCOTE man is defying a Darebin Council order to pull up the synthetic turf on his nature strip, calling for an urgent review of an "inconsistent policy".

Ali Mekawy said the council's ban on synthetic grass on nature strips was hypocritical and unreasonable considering it used the same product at sports grounds throughout Darebin.

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"I would like the council to reconsider its policy or apply the same rule to Darebin sites," Mr Mekawy said.

"The grass on my neighbour's nature strip comes up to my crotch but the council has no policy about this."

Mr Mekawy said he laid the single piece of Australian-made chemical-free synthetic turf last year because it was a low-maintenance, sustainable drought-resistant option which provided a safe, non-slippery surface for his four children getting in and out of the car.

But he said he was shocked to recently receive a letter from the council demanding he get rid of it.

"Synthetic turf has no extra cost to council and it's much cheaper for me because I don't have to water it or mow it," he said.

"It can easily be peeled up to access council services."

But Darebin design and environment manager Daniel Freer said while synthetic turf was a safe option for sports clubs, it was unsuitable for council-owned nature strips.

Mr Freer said synthetic turf presented a potential tripping risk in residential streets if not installed according to the manufacturers' instructions or maintained properly over time "where wilful or accidental damage may have occurred".

He said residents were permitted to plant small gardens on nature strips.

JULIA IRWIN

NORTHCOTE LEADER

FEBRUARY 27, 2013 12:00AM

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