A debate over artificial turf and its contribution to urban heat is warming up after an Adelaide council removed a ban on residents laying it on the road verge.
City of Marion councillors last week voted against staff guidelines to allow fake grass on the verge as an alternative to lawn — a practice popular across the country during the millennium drought when strict water restrictions were in place.
Gardening Australia host Sophie Thompson says she recently used an infrared thermometer to measure the radiant heat of artificial turf in Murray Bridge and measured it at 66 degrees Celsius.