Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House our concern that the Department of Transport and Main Roads is placing artificial grass on median strips and traffic islands on state roads in Brisbane and possibly throughout the state. This increases the urban heat island effect making the surrounding area hotter for residents, pedestrians, and other users of this space. It also reduces opportunity for planting for biodiversity and habitat, reduces soil health, and affects stormwater runoff and quality. At a time when we need to increase natural biodiversity and preferably native habitat in all available land to help mitigate the effects of climate change, this practice is taking us in the wrong direction. Moreover, the use of this material by government organisations normalises the use of this environmentally-destructive product to the general public.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to ensure that:

a) The full life-cycle impact of products (including production, maintenance, and disposal) on the environment be considered in choosing materials and treatments of all infrastructure and landscaping designs on all public and government land.

b) Installation of artificial grass on all public and government land ceases immediately.        

c) Where artificial grass has already been installed, a program to reinstate more nature-positive alternatives is rolled out.