Growling Frog News
Turf nursery good news for the environment and golfers
21 April 2008
Frogs are just some of the fauna and flora at Growling Frog Golf Course who will soon enjoy lush conditions but with reduced water consumption.
A grant from the Victorian Sustainability Fund is enabling the trial of subsurface irrigation using innovative technology that promises to reduce water consumption on the course by 75 per cent.
The trial will involve the development of a turf nursery which can then be used as a source of replacement turf for any damaged areas within putting greens. The turf nursery will use reclaimed effluent from the Cades Road treatment plant in a long term agreement with Yarra Valley Water.
The success of the trial turf nursery is expected to inspire other golf course operators and turf managers to adopt the innovative new system.
"Leading planning and development has been a feature at Growling Frog Golf Course since its inception," said Cr John Fry, who attended the funding announcement as part of the Northpoint Seniors Pro-Am on Friday.
"This project is the latest in a long list of high level environmental achievements utilised in the design, construction and now maintenance of the course.
"With State water storages down to 32 per cent capacity, the need to conserve water has never been more evident," he added.
"The City of Whittlesea continues to be a leading community when it comes to environmental considerations.
"We are achieving our goal of being model environmental citizens," he added.
Growling Frog Golf Course is a popular local facility and tourism drawcard that has been recognised with three prestigious awards:
- Winner of the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria City Pride Environmental Awards 2004 in the category of 'Outstanding Beautification and/or Heritage Preservation'
- Winner of the 2003 Claude Crockford Environmental Award at the 2003 Australian Golf Course Superintendents' Awards
- Joint winner of the Outstanding Environmental Project Award within the 2005 International Liveable Communities Awards.
Media enquiries:
Kelli Martin
(03) 9217 2383
