The population squeeze is now hitting our suburbs, with pressure mounting on local sporting fields.

In the next two decades, an extra 120 sporting fields will be needed in Sydney’s north alone to deal with the rising demand.

And there simply isn’t enough land to cater for it.

Lane Cove Mayor Pam Palmer tells Michael McLaren the planning needs to start now.

“It’s going to get even worse,” she says.

“We don’t have the land… we’ve got to plan now for what we’re going to have in the future.”

She says it all comes down to keeping the community healthy.

“It’s not a matter of wanting them.  We need them for everyone to be healthy and happy.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview