Artificial field smell irks residents

Ellerslie AFC players practise on the artificial turf at Michaels Ave Reserve. Photo / Dean Purcell

Rubber in-fill used for Ellerslie sporting complex draws complaints from locals who say the stench is ‘horrible’.

New in-fill for artificial fields is being investigated as residents near an Ellerslie complex complain of the "horrible" smell of rubber tyres.

Auckland Council is proposing an offer of ventilation and cooling systems to some residents so they can close windows to block out noise.

With the summer sun arriving in Auckland those who pass the artificial field at Ellerslie's Michaels Ave Reserve say the smell is worsening.

The artificial field is made from recycled rubber tyres and is a boon to football players as it means matches and practice can be played no matter the weather.

Justin Schilder, an audio-engineer who walks his children to school past the field, says some residents are unhappy with the development.

"It's basically just rubber tyres sitting in the hot sun, which is pretty horrible. And being that it's right next to a school it's not particularly good, because it stinks, that stuff.

"I'm sure there are better techniques for making those fields usable if they have to."

Keith Hargis, president of the Friends of Michaels Avenue Reserve group, which has opposed the development, said some residents were concerned about the smell.

On a hot day it was "like being in a tyre-factory", Mr Hargis said. Other concerns were about noise and lighting limits being exceeded because of nightly use of the field.

One-and-a-half artificial fields were installed in the reserve two years ago and no more are planned for the park.

The Third Generation (3G) field uses crumb rubber - manufactured from recycled truck tyres - to hold the fibre of artificial grass upright.

There are 21 other 3G fields in Auckland, and an Auckland Council spokesman said to the best of its knowledge the Michaels Ave field was the only one that had caused complaints about its smell. These had come from one resident (neither Mr Schilder nor Mr Hargis). Testing had detected a smell but it did not constitute a health hazard, the spokesman said.

"Non-smelling alternative in-fill materials have been identified and council is evaluating their suitability for use at Michaels Ave and future installations elsewhere."

The council has commissioned research into crumb rubber.

Ellerslie AFC club president Mark Weipers said the football club wanted to work with residents who had issues with the new field.

But the in-fill had had a "phenomenal" effect on the club and its members, who were now guaranteed playing and training time.

Rubber fields

•Auckland Council looking at new materials for artificial fields that will not smell as strongly as current rubber in-fill.

•It is also proposing an offer of ventilation and cooling systems to some residents near Ellerslie's Michaels Ave Reserve, so that they can close windows to block out noise.