GREENING GOLF COURSES TO AVOID ALGAL BLUES

As one of the most polluted recreational waterways in NSW, Manly Lagoon suffers from nutrient overload. One of the major recomendations of the Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study is to implement best environmental practices at the golf courses, bowling greens and myriad playing fields through the catchment.

The Manly Lagoon Estuary management Committeen has resolved that an environmental management strategy be designed for all four golf courses in the lagoon catchment - Balgowlah, Warringah, Manly and Wakehurst - in conjuction with the Australian Turfgrass Reasearch Institute, Council staff and the Manly Environment Centre.

A unique research project with environmental science students and staff of the University of NSW was set up on the environmental economics of the golf clubs and open space manangement in this catchment. The project involved promarily and investigation of the economic aspects of golf course management and the ecologically efficient use of a common resource by competing interests.

Manly Lagoon is a small coastal lagoon situated at the boundary of Warringah and manly councils in Sydney's Northern beaches. It has a catchment area of 18 ssquare kilometres. Inflows to the lagoon include Manly Creek, Burnt Bridge Creek and Brookvale Creek and additonally a large number of stormwater drains.

Sydney Water has 29 sewer overflows in the catchment, the greatest number for any waterway in their area of responsibility when considered in terms of waterway size.

The Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study (1995) states: "The water of the lagoon is eutrophic (oxygen depleted) and sensitive to further increases in nutrient inputs ... Manly Lagoon sediment is contaminated with heavy metals and, compared with Sydney Harbour or Curl Curl Lagoon, has the highest average levels of copper and lead ... Indigenous vegetation is severley depleted... as such, any areas of remnant vegetation should be maintained and conserved as a valuable resource."

The Manly Lagoon Study indentified potential sources of pollution as being from a number of industrial estates, Warringah Mall shopping centre, residences and golf courses and playing fields. These sources are being addressed by various strategies; ie, Sydney Water has allocated approx $20 million to rehabilitate their infrastructure, and manly and Warringah councils are conduction education programs for residents and industry audits.

STUDENT PROJECT RESEARCH TOPIC ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS OF GOLF CLUBS AND OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT IN THE MANLY LAGOON CATCHMENT

1. Preamble:

The Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Committee has resolved that an environmental management strategy be designed for all four golf courses, in conjunction with the Australian Turfgrass Research Institute, concil staff frm Manly and warringah Councils and the MEC.

The Australian Turfgrass Reserch Institute has been funded to devise an environmental management strategy for golf courses and water quality monitoring. The Institute is conducting a high profile conference on the 4th and 5th March 1996 on these issues and the published papers will set future directions.

The Manly Hydraulics Laboratory has recognised the value of the total catchment management approch by installing coontinuous water quality monitoring at the lagoon entrance with a modem linkup to the MEC.

Each golf course has different impacts on the low-flow Burnt Bridge Creek which is contaminated by sewer overflows.

Manly is in the flood plain and uses bore water.

Warringah suffers the impacts of major industrial and litter pollution.

Wakehurst, following an outbreak of blue-green alge in Manly Dam in 1992, was directed to avoid fertiliser use and successfully adopted other practices. Howver, Warringah Council issued consents for land-filling operation since 1970 to Wakehurst Golf Club. As a result of community concern about alleged leachate from the landfill, the Club in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Authoriiity and the Australian Analytical Laboratories have conducted tests which indicate "there is cause for concern." In some areas the levels of Callcium Potassium, Iron, Ammonia and Phenolic compounds are many times the acceptable level. Tipping has now ceased.

2. AN OVERVIEW; THE ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK;

The project primarily involves an investigation of the economic aspects of golf course management and the ecologically efficient use of a commmon resource water by competing interests.

The analytical framework involves economic tools of analysis to identify and articulate the intersts of competing use. These conpeting users bring together intersecting sets of community values, golf club member values and environmental values that in some cases conflict and in others overlap and reinforce each other. The objective is to identify areas of mutual benefit in order to resolve those areas of conflicct, as well as to ensure long term sustainable use of scarse resources.

It is relatively easy to ideentify and articulate in monetary terms the interests of the golf club as a commercial enterprise, serving the mutual interests of its members. It is less easy in the case of the community and the environment. Economic tools help here despite some quite severe limitations.

3. BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS;

Benefit-cost analysis seeks to identify who receives the main benefits and who bears the burden of the main costs. A very succesful scheme is expected to be profitable for all parties. However, even if the scheme were unprofitable from the point of view of one party, it may still be beneficial from the point of view of community. A benefit cost analysis may highlight community gains over and above private benefits and costs. In this type of analysis what is a benefit to one party may be cost to another.

3.1 Recreational value of golf course.

3.2 Recreational value of Manly Lagoon, Manly Dam and catchment area.

3.3 Value of water quality

3.4 Value of biodiversity in the Manly lagoon, Manly Dam and Catchment Area

4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

4.1 any environmental project must be assessed in terms of the legal framework: federal, state and local government. Strategies must adhere to minimun standards, guidelines, goals and associated protocols.

4.2 Regulatory strategies need economic incentives if they are to be successfully implemented in a profit driven competitive market. In some instances,market based schemes have the potential to be efficnet, both ecologically, and economically. In other instances regulation may be deemed more appropriate. An assessment is required of which aspects of the scheme can market driven and which aspects would require regulation.

5. ANALYSIS OF OPTIONS AFFECTING THE COMPETING INTERESTS

An assessment needs to be made of the options available to deal with particular problems where there are competing interests. The following areas may well require special attention:

5.1 Biodiversity
5.2 Chemical Use
5.3 Water quality
5.4 Water Conservation
5.5 Legal Framework
5.6 Competing Interests and Attitudes of Members and Players

REPORTS BY THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE RESEARCH PROJECT

In the initial stages, the students formed into six research teams. They visited all the golf courses to interview staff aand gather information,as well as visiting other sites and gaining personall assistance from other experts. They have produced a combined document which is held at the MEC. It consists of 130 pages and a bibliography over 70 references from many different souces both local and everseas. The report is titled University of N>S>W> Student Research Project Environmental Economics of Golf Couse and Open Space Management in the Manly Lagoon Catchment.

The following is a very brief summary of their findings:

BIODIVERSITY

In both Europe and the United States, golf couses have received the attention of the environmental movement. In the United States gollfing and environmental interests have combined to help minimase the effect of golf courses on biodiversiity and often assist each other in the promotion of biodiversity. Of particular note is the co-operative effort of The United State provision of habitat. To this end the Audubon Co-operative Sanctuary Program has been institute with its stated agenda to: Educate the publicand golfing community on the benefits of golf courses and the role they play relative to the environment and wildilife.

Encourage active paricipation iin consevation programs by golfers, golf course superintendents, golf officials and the general public.

Recognise the golf couses as important open spaces and credit the people actively participating in environmentally responsible projects.

Enhance wildlife habitats on existing and future gof couses by working with the golf course manager and providing advice for ecologically sound golf course management.

Almost 2000 courses have joined the program in the U.S.A. and Canada and receive accreditation for:

Environmental Planning Public/Member Involvement Wildlife and Haabitat Management Integrated Pest Management Water Conservatio Water Quality Management.

Preliminary research in the Manly Lagoon Catchment indicates an amazing biodiversity for an urban catchment so close to a major international city. Wakehurst Golf Club is part of the Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (also known as Manly Dam Reserve). The species list includes:

species of flora (2 species listed as rare and thratened, 3 species have conservation significance, 4 locally restricted plants and an unusual orchid.)
bird species
native mammals
15 reptile species
frog species
species of crustaceans
In attempting to find the balance between economic properity and successful maintenance of biodiversity, we suggest the following approaches:

the precautionary principle be adopted as best management practice on any issue tha may affect kthe biodiversity of the golf course and its surrounding area.

the adoption and sponsorship of one of the neighbouring endangered species as a focus for both amployees and players to develop pride in the environmental practices of the club. Media and adverising attention on the club could then emphasise the exotic nature of the surroundings. This can be highlighted by promoting the club as environmentally concerned,situated in an area of high natural beauty and the home of certain endangered species.

the enlistment of local environmental nature and kcommunity groups to help provide some of the expertise aand labour essential to the success of thse initiatives.

CHEMICAL USE

information from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) indicates that golf courses can contribute nutrient-rich runoff based on studies done by Professsor Cheng of the University of Technology, Sydney.

EPA Staff from the Outer Sydney Region are frequently called out to inspect fish and duck kills on golf cours dams. These events are likely to have been coused by the misaplication of insecticide and algicides by golf couse staff, although this has been difficult to prove concllusively.

EPA Staff have also identified blue-green algae in watercourses and dams immediately downstream of golf courses. On at least one occasion recently, the EPA issued a section 17 notice requiring a golf course and country club to monitor Total N and Total P in the dams onits course. The local newspaper reported the event as "EPA takes a chip at local golf club"!

The National Registration Authrity in conjunction with Rhone Poolenc and Chemspray have produced an attractive publication titled "Turf Stewardship". The following quote from it highlights their concern: "Times are chenging for the turf industry. Turf professionals must take action and educate others including commkttees, management, staff, industry officials, turf users and our community about the issues,and what we are doing as ssstewards of the environment. It is our duty."

Workcover NSW has produced a 100 page safety guide in association with the Registered Clubs Association of N>S>W> and kthe N>S>W> Golf Cousses Superintendents Association. "Health and Safety at Work-Greens, Garden and Grounds...gives simple advice on tough issues such a s working safely with chemicals." 22% of grounds maintenance staff worry about working with chemicals and this publication will help grounds management staff tackle the health and safety issue.

Research has identified programs to reduce the impact of fertilizers which can be incorporated into Best Environmental Practice for golf couses. (Peacock and Smart 1995).

Pesticides used onm courses include herbicides, fungicides, growth regulators, defoliants, dessiccants and inseacticides. A program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been developed specifically to aid in the regulation of pasts without harming the environment and the golfcourse. A sound IPM program is based on the acceptance and tolerance of pests at a damage level which does not significantly reduce the acceptability of the turf (Boowman 1995).

Pesticides are necessary to keep pests at tolerable levels and could well continue to be an integral part of IPM programs. However, sole rekiance on chemical control can no longer be justified because of rising chemical costs, increased resistance to pesticides and environmental and health concerns.

World Watch reported that a survey of Japanese doctors in 1991 showed that of some 500 patients "with suspected poisoning from agricultural chemicals, 125 were associated with golf couses, 97 as employees". The U.S National Association of Golf Superintendetsn funded researach on the links between long term pesticide exposure and cancer which showed a higher mortality rate among golf course workers.

A survey of chemical use of the four golf coused indicate that amounts of chemicals used and their impacts are not well documented. Whilst an American case study at Tampa Palms Club showed saving of $26,000 per annum were possible, (Miller and Parkers) there was insufficient data aavailble from the four local courses studied to complete a cost benefit analysis.

WATER QUALITY

Manly Dam is an impoortant recreatinal water body. Ongoing monitoring of the dam's water qualiity includes weekly algal counts and monthly chemical analysis.

Leachate from tip sites on the golf couse is considered to be a possible source of contamination of the dam. The Golf Course is only one of several possible sources of pollution.

A comprehensive testing/monitoring strategy is needed in order to identify the source of pollutnats and to enable effective allocation of resources.

Buffer zones are needed on all courses to protect water quality.

The Australian Golf Union and Society of Australia Golf Course Architects have produced a attractive publication "Golf Courses...Benfits to the Community and Environment". This state kthat "well designed golf courses protect water resources...golf courses play a significant role in the managemant of water, aiding the conservation and preservation of water resources. Golf courses act as a natural filter of sttormwater and run off. Turfgrass, together with the natural landsscape, function in trapping sediment and pollutnts before they enter common waterrways. The containment of water on site helps in flood control and filtration whilst contributing to the recharge of aquifers and groundwater kwhich may otherwise pollute nearby waterways."

The Australian Turf Reseach Institute is initiating a water quality monitoring program for golf courses.

WATER CONSERVATION

australia is a very dry continent, making water a scarce resource which needs to be coonserved. Golf courses and their surrounding environment are interrrelated. The runoff from courses by excess water use and inefficent collection of water, can adversely affect the catchment area. Fertillisers and chemicals can leach into surrounding environment and damage the native flora and funa and encourage the spread of weeds. Thus water conservation is an ecological advantage.

The main water conservation options available for golf courses vary from reducing the need for water to preserving any water that falls on site. they include:

testing irrigation equipment for accuracy
irrigaitng with effluent
growing plants with more appropriate water needs
replacing the existing turf with more water efficient species
differing kthe amount and time water is appllied.

None of the four courses in this study use drinking water. They use bore water, water drawn from the local creek aand Manly Dam. There are no records kept of the amount of water used.

The courses have been built on sndy soils which have low water retention rates and turf grass most used is kikuyu that may require a lot of water. Generally all three courses water kthree times a week during summer for between 20 to 40 minutes.

Research in this area located interesting case studies both locally and overseas. Treated effluent has been successfully used reducing costs of fertilizer. At Camden Laakeside Couontry Club the course was disigned and constructed to utilise availble water. To do this the club integrated the use of water starage, wetlands, waste water irrigation. Waste water is reused in irrigation,the waste is treated in an aerated waste-water managementsystem and then spents time in a settlement pond before it is reused.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

As Graham McKee's workshop at this conferece will deal more fully with potential problems, this seaction has been abridged.

The preliminary findings of this very comprehensive study were that there are number of legal implications for the four golf courses sstudied.

Our environmental law invoves 4 main principles:

1 the precautionary principle
2 intergenerational equity
3 conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity
4 effective economic evaluation of the environment

Poor environmental managemant involves a number of economic/legal costs, threough the idea that the "pollluter pays", and possible empllooyee health and safety issues covered by workplace laws. Corporations and directors or managers, are responsible for any actions of their employees. The best legal defence of any corporatioon is "due diligence".

COMPETING INTERESTS AND ATTITUDE OF MEMBERS AND PLAYERS

Cleaner production issues apply to golf courses just as much as industry. In his presentation to the N>S>W> EPA, international expert on Cleaner Production, Pro. Don Huisingh showed that:

65% of cleaner production problems can be eliminated by improving attitudes and housekeeping

30% of these changes can be implemented at no cost within 3 years.

The Audobon Co-operative Sanctuary Program has long recognised the essential need to change the attitudes of members and players and has prepared some excellent publicationss, posters, videos and programs for this purpose. The theme of these materials is "golf courses benefit people and wildlife", i.e.co-operation not confrontation.

As part of this project it was decided to survey the attitudes of members and players to adopting the best environmental practice regimes being introduced in Europe and the USA. A highly visiual and informative "pollling booth" display using the Audoborn materials was set up in all four clubhouses to eneable members and players to complete these surveys.

This first ever members survey attracted a lot of media in two local papers and a page in the Sydney Moorning Herald.

Preliminary results indicate overwhellming support by members and players for best enviroonmental management of their golf courses. It is also abvious that there is little understanding by members and players of the potential impact of golf coursed on the environment.

CONCLUSION

In his papaer presented at kthe Austraian Turf Research Institute's Conference this year, David Stubbs, from the European Golf Association Ecology Unit cncluded an Environmental Action Plan for Golf.

Two important elements of this plan are the establishment of an information clearing house and an education awaaareness program. The information detyailed is the reports of the University of New SouthWales Research(outline above) provides the golf couses in the Manly Lagoon Catchment with such an "information clearint house" and the basis for an "education and awaareness program".

The stedents work outlined in this paper has shown there are many data gaps and has highlighhted the need ofr research in many areas. The University has agree to continue their valuable support with ongoing student research projeacts and invoolvement.

Formulating the first Catchment Plan for Environmental Management of Golf Courses is a challenging task which has been taken up with great enthsiasm by experts iin manya fields, from within and withoout the catchment.

A number of meetings have been held with the four golf coursess. They have each been provided with a recource folder on the many aspects of environmental management of golf courses. The ongoing support of these experts, including ATRI staff, has been essential in these early stages.

Lawyer Graham McKee and myself have drafted a draft Strategic Environmental Plan for the clubs to take to their management for endorsement.

Liz Newton, an exxpert in Occupational Health & Safety is providing valuable material to link health and environmental issues in the management plan. Robert ashes from the Australian Golf Courses hosted a demontration of has chemical wash down faciliiity kto our group.

Wakehurst has what we might call a biodiversity support group which has listed their flora and fauna and looked at havitat enhancement. They have offered assistance, as have other local conservatio groups. Greening Australia has also expressed an interest in assisting in planting projects.

The Petrik Soil Program has produced some excellent results at Paalm Medows Greens in Queensland and it is anticipated that the company will give a presentation to the golf courses on their methhods wich reduce the use of chemicals, without compromising turf quality. (Petrik 1996).

Local Streamwaatch groups from Stella Maris, Mackellar and Seaforth TAFE and the Manly Environment Centre will assist with water quality fmonitooring.

REFERENCE

Audobon Society of New York: "Principles for Sustainsble Recource Management"; "Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Coursess"; "The Audbon Cooperative Sanctuary System -Certified Signature Status"; "The Audbon Cooperative Sanctuary System-Guidelines for Certification"

Beeehag, Gary..."Implementation of a Pollutant Monitoring Program". Proceedings for Environmental Issues for Turf...A symposium 1996

Cheng, D. "Manly Dam Catchment Water Quality Study" 1993 Department of Land and Water Conservation "Buffer Zones Along Rivers and Creekd" Riverwisse. EPA communication of 29 August 1995

Figgis, PJ "Coming Up to Par - Green Guidelines for Golf"...Proceedings of Environmental Issues for Turf: A symposium, 1996

Joseph Banks Group..Survey on Australian Interest While on Holiday 1990

Miller and Parkes;, "Golf and the Envirnement" Urban Land August 1995

Moore, J>F> "Environmental Common Sense -A sample "in House' audit" USGA Green Section Record Jan. Feb. 1996

National Registration Authoritiy, Rhone-Polenc, Chemspray, "Turf Stewardship"

Paatterson Britton & Partners.."Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study"

Peacock, C. and Smart, M. "IPM, Monitoring and Management planas - A Mandate for the Future", USGA Green Section Record May June 1995

Petrik Aust. "An Ovwerview of the Petrik Soil Program" and "Notes of Palm Medows Greens"

society of Aaustralian golf Course Archtects and Australian Golf Union "Golf Courses Benefits to the Community and Environment"

Stubbs, David, "An Environmental Strategy for Golf" Proceedings for Environmental Issues ofr Turf ...A Symposium 1996.

United States Golfing Association: "Golfourses Benefit People and Wildlife", "Golf and the Environment", "Golf and Wildlife"

workcover NSW "Health and Safety at Work-Greens, Gardens and Grounds". 1996

Worldwatch.."The Trouboe with Golf" Maay/June 1994