| Sustainability is an approach to planning a lifestyle development taking into consideration environmental, social and economic factors. Golf courses are now seen as the catalyst for rehabilitating degraded land and creating recycled water systems. Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett are sole partners in a business entity that specialises in these sorts of projects.
The acclaimed Australian firm Thomson Perrett adopts a holistic approach that encompasses all phases of a project – golf, master planning, landscaping and urban design. Water management is one of the main keys to environmental sustainability.
Alternative water sources such as the use of grey water from industry and residential developments and the use of desalination plants have become viable alternatives.
At Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club – a Thomson Perrett project in Hong Kong – they recently installed a desalination plant capable of producing four mega litres per day.
Thomson Perrett’s relationship with Clearwater Bay began in the early 90s with a comprehensive master plan to focus on the extensive assets and opportunities offered from Clearwater Bay’s spectacular location overlooking the South China Sea about 10 kilometres from the thriving business centre of Hong Kong. The redesign work comprised 27 holes of the Ocean, Highland and Executive Nines, as well as two night-lit practice ranges.
Surfaces have been upgraded using TifEagle Bermuda grass for greens, strong variety of bunkering following an exhaustive search for appropriate sand and Zoysia fairway and tee surfaces that would stand alongside the best in the world.
The desalination plant, built alongside the Club marina is a major environmental initiative and has secured the Club’s water supply whilst removing the cost and consumption of the local potable water resource.
This sustainable solution together with reduced chemical usage such as folial feeding rather than sub-ground approach underlines the club’s strong environmental management record.
Environmental management has also embraced the progressive replacement of non-native plants with native species and upgrading of waterways to return local birds and insects to their natural habitat, increasing the biodiversity of the area. Hardscape elements such as concrete walls and hard lake edges are also being phased out via the use of stone and softer landscape treatments.
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“This was a sustainable, low-cost solution that is a wise investment for the club,” explained Ross Perrett, the president of the Australian Society of Golf Course Architects. “It secures a water supply for the Clearwater Bay Golf Club and ensures that they can maintain their excellent environmental record. With this sustainable low-cost solution, the club uses less chemicals overall, while the use of surface-level fertilisers further protects the natural environment.”
To maximize the benefit to be gained from the non-golf areas of the golf course, Perrett recommends golf clubs seek professional help from appropriately qualified and experienced consultants to undertake the following:
Preparation of an environmental audit of the total golf club property to identify its constraints and opportunities with consideration of existing topography, drainage, existing vegetation, soil conditions and water availability
Preparation of a Landscape Master Plan which includes
A long term vision for the desired character of the course environs
A palette of suitable plant material
A management strategy for tree removal, weed control, water management and plant procurement
Thomson Perrett is aided by a support group of multi-disciplined professionals with a comprehensive range of skills. From its expansive office in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the in-house team caters to the needs of resort and integrated residential and golf developers. The firm can be contacted on (613) 9654 4100. www.thomsonperrett.com.au
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