New research has found the multi-billion-dollar secret to living a better life might be right under our feet.
Backyard barbecues, cricket in the park and even major sporting events all happen on natural turf, and research from Hort Innovation reveals it’s a $42 billion part of a happier, healthier Australia.
The data highlights the important role natural turf plays not just in supporting community wellbeing and participation in sport, but also to the broader economy with more than 15,000 jobs contributing more than $5 billion to the economy.
Felecia White, Head of Consumer Insights & Capability at Hort Innovation, said the findings reinforced what many Australians experience already knew.
“Every weekend, millions of Australians play sport, walk the dog and have a picnic on natural turf that’s part of a $42 billion green infrastructure network,” Ms White said.
“We’ve proven natural turf is much more than a surface – it’s a critical part of our communities, supporting sport, health and wellbeing at every level.”
The report also found a huge price and preference gap between natural and synthetic surfaces; natural turf was preferred by 76 per cent of Australians, and was roughly half the cost over the long term.
For Windsor turf grower Patrick Muscat, that connection was tangible.
“What we grow is literally the foundation of where people come together and spend their lives – local footy grounds, school ovals, parks,” Mr Muscat said.
“You see kids playing, families gathering, clubs thriving. We’re really proud to be part of what makes Australia a great place to live.”
Beyond sport, the research highlighted natural turf’s contribution to environmental outcomes such as urban cooling, stormwater management and resilience in built environments.
Ms White said there were broader benefits to natural turf beyond the local oval or backyard lawn.
“A lot of the value natural turf provides sits outside traditional measures,” she said.
“When you look at the full picture – economic, environmental and social – it’s clear these green spaces are essential infrastructure for Australian communities.”
The findings form part of Hort Innovation’s Usage, attitudes and contribution of natural turf study that has brought together data on economic contribution, usage and attitudes for the first time on behalf of the turf industry.
