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Major Projects - Wash Down Facilities |
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| Background |
| To maintain our golf course at the highest possible standard requires a significant investment in machinery. This machinery needs to be fully maintained and managed efficiently to ensure it performs at 100% and our overall cost of maintaining machinery is minimised as much as possible. |
| One of the critical steps in ensuring full maintenance is to ensure, after daily use, all machines are fully clean of grass, dirt and other contaminants. |
| This is where the new wash down facilities will significantly improve the current process. Although we do currently wash down machines daily, the process is time consuming as we do not have a dedicated area to undertake this work. With the new facility we have such an area with all necessary tools to undertake the work efficiently and in one place. |
| Outline of works |
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A new 35,000 litre rainwater tank and pump. This tank captures the rainwater from the machinery shed roof. This water is to be used in the wash down process as well as a replacement for town water used on the course where applicable. The tank was installed in August 2008. |
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A covered concrete wash down pad. This is used to wash the machines on and capture the water for treatment. The concrete bay is in place and we are awaiting delivery of the roof structure. |
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A covered concrete chemical mixing bay and safety equipment. This bay is used for mixing all chemicals and containing any chemical spill. The safety equipment is to be used in the case of an emergency. The concrete bay is in place and we are awaiting the delivery of the roof structure. It is expected the roof will be installed by the end of April. |
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Treatment system. The installation of a Washmaster 18 – Closed Loop Reclaim system supplied by Ecologic International. More information can be found by clicking here. The system is in place and currently being commissioned. This system removes all contaminants in the wash down water include oils, greases, pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers etc. |
| Benefits |
| The new facilities have a number of benefits: |
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By installing a sufficiently large rainwater tank, we are significantly reducing the amount of town water used in course operations. |
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Treating and recycling significantly reduces the volume of water used in the process but also ensures we meet all our environmental responsibilities in relation to machinery wash down procedures. We will be one of the first clubs in Brisbane to have a system like this in place. |
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Safety is improved by having a purpose built chemical mixing bay. The bay will ensure any spills are contained in the one area and can be easily managed and cleaned up without any impact on our environment. |
| Support |
| We have had significant Government support to enable us to undertake this project. With a total cost exceeding $85,000 (excluding GST), we would not have been able to proceed with the project without their assistance. |
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Federal Government’s Community Water Grants Program |
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Community Water Grants is part of the $2 billion Australian Government Water Fund. Water savings, recycling and treatment projects that demonstrate community involvement and a clear public benefit are eligible for funding up to $50,000. |
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State Government's Lifestyle Waterwise Program |
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Lifestyle WaterWise Program is to assist not-for-profit organisations replace the use of town water with other sources of water or to reduce the volume of water required. |
| With great support from our local community and local representatives, we were successful in receiving the full entitlement of $45,454 from the Community Water Grants Program and the full entitlement of $27,000 from the Lifestyle WaterWise Program to assist the club in undertaking this project. |
| For further information in relation to this project please contact the club on (07) 3267 6333. |
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