Environment

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is a distinct ecological plant community consisting of over 100 different species. It is found growing on 1,000,000-year-old sand deposits in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and the Northern and Western shores of Botany Bay.

Originally the Banksia scrub covered an area of 7,000 hectares from Port Jackson to Botany Bay. The natural bushland gave way to Sydney’s ever expanding urban sprawl and now only 300 to 400 hectares of the original cover remains.

The remaining areas are fractured, some less than 1 hectare in size. Many of these remnants are in a state of decline because they are degraded and affected by weed invasion and urban runoff.

This vegetation community is a critically endangered ecological community, and is protected under State and Commonwealth legislation.

Approximately 16 hectares of Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub have been identified at NSW Golf Club, spreading throughout the course in around 21 fragments.

Our objective is to protect ESBS, and fulfil all legislative requirements of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth).

Planting

Planting is a well-established, respected horticultural and rehabilitation practice.

In an area that is cleared or weeded, it is traditional to plant in that area or rehabilitate it. In areas where there is a threatened ecological community such as ESBS, or where there is potential for natural regeneration, planting is not an acceptable practice.

Whilst a common practice, it is desirable to minimise the amount of planting on the course, relying instead on natural regeneration.

Fire Regime

Throughout South Eastern Australia, most vegetation types require periodic fires to stimulate the continuation of various ecological processes. The relationship between fire and healthy bushland is complex and not fully understood, but it is recognised that the season in which fires occur, the intensity of the fires and their frequency are important to the maintenance of vegetation communities. These three elements are generally referred to as the ‘fire regime’. Different vegetation communities have different ideal fire regimes.

Fire played a significant role at New South Wales Golf Club. In 1998 a bush fire burnt almost 12 hectares of bushland. Most of these areas had previously been dense monocultures of Tea-tree (Leptospermum laevigatum). The fire stimulated massive germination and there is a great diversity of species now growing.

What are we doing about it?

Fire will be actively managed at New South Wales Golf Club under the following guidelines:

• Maintain clear records of all fires at New South Wales Golf Club and extent of all fires mapped.
• The season of fire will be varied as much as possible within the acceptable ‘safe’ period for fires.
• Only one or two pockets will be burnt each year, to allow appropriate levels of maintenance to control weeds after the fire.

New techniques have been trialled under the guidance of the National Trust and the Scientific Council in the State Government Department.

A variable fire regime within the above thresholds is required to avoid species decline, and this requires varying fire frequency, intensity, season and pattern of burn. Approval to burn will be required from the Environment and Heritage. Burns limited to 1 April to 30 September.

Weed Control

Invasive weeds are among the most serious threats to Australia’s natural environment and primary production industries. They displace native species, contribute significantly to land degradation, and reduce farm and forest productivity. Australia spends considerable time and money each year in combating weed problems and protecting ecosystems and primary production on private and public land.

The major environmental weed on the New South Wales Golf Club is Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides Monilifera Subsp rotundata). New South Wales Golf Club has been involved in a number of strategies to control this weed over the years, including, aerial spraying, biological controls, and physical removal (both by bush regenerators and by machinery). This approach has been highly successful and there are currently no substantial infestations of Bitou Bush.

There are still substantial infestations of Bitou immediately surrounding New South Wales Golf Club, in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, at St Michael’s Golf Club, and at the Pistol Club. This is because birds and foxes spread Bitou Bush. While there are infestations nearby, Bitou will always be an issue at New South Wales Golf Club.

Other weeds that are problems include Turkey Rhubarb (Acetosa Sagittata), annual weeds, (such as Fleabane, Catsear and Dandelion) and other invasive grasses.

Water

Golf Courses tend to have high water usage requirements. This has two main environmental implications; the use of a scarce resource, and the potential impact that higher levels of runoff can have on bushland areas down slope from irrigated areas.

New South Wales Golf Club has excellent water minimisation strategies in place. In summary, these include:

• Over the last 20 years, fairway grasses have been gradually replaced with drought tolerant species, which can survive with minimal water.
• A highly efficient irrigation system has been installed on the course.
• Effective practices currently in place include:
• Minimal fertiliser application (fairways are only fertilised once a year, or twice if there is a major tournament).
• Minimal use of pesticides.

The clubhouse and halfway house blackwater is recycled using a BioCylce system. This recycled water is currently discharged into the dam for irrigation use. The maintenance workshop has a similar arrangement but is reusing its recycled water for wash down purposes.

Pesticide and Fertiliser Use

Use of pesticides is a major environmental issue for golf courses. Golf courses have extensive areas of monocultures in the fairways. The turf grasses used on tees and greens are cool season grasses, which while providing a perfect playing surface, are difficult to grow and require high levels of maintenance and pesticide use.

New South Wales Golf Club must continue to practice IPM (Integrated Pest Management), a well-respected management approach to minimise pesticide use. IPM includes the following:

• Tolerate a certain level of damage i.e.: aim to control pests, not eradicate them.
• Use a range of control techniques, including chemical, physical, biological and cultural practices.
• Practice pesticide rotation

Native Fauna

Most native fauna are predominantly within the bushland areas of the course. Protecting the bushland and keeping it as healthy as possible helps protect habitat for fauna species.

New South Wales Golf Club will continue to raise awareness to members and guests to protect fauna while adding another dimension to the golfing experience. Information and guides to wild birdlife will be made available to members (in the Clubhouse library) and through specialist commentary in the Club’s ENew ‘The MacKenzie Mail’.

Conclusion

As a leader in Environmental Management for golf clubs, New South Wales Golf Club is proud of its proven track record and integration of the flora and fauna into the golfing experience, management and working program of staff.

The club will continue to make the financial commitment to environmental management and responsibility while ensuring there is mutual respect between the golf course and nature to provide the best outcome for all stakeholders.