It has been a good week for the Course as the sunny weather has at last arrived.
I am pleased to advise there has been a lot happening across all the Sub-Committees and am
thankful for each of the Directors and the Volunteers for their time and efforts.
In particular, a high priority is the "Cooks River Alliance" Sub-committee. There is a
significant impact that the long-term management of the Cook's River could have on
the potential design options for the course, as well as substantially improving the drainage
and water management on the course.
For these reasons we have placed a high priority on meeting this week with:
- Executive Officer, The Cooks River Alliance - Andrew Thomas
- Deputy Mayor of Strathfield - Cr Karen Pensabene
- Senior Catchment Officer - Canterbury Bankstown Council - Claire Wheeler
The purpose of meeting is to:
Inspect the Golf Course river sections to understand the inherent problems, such as the;
- poor condition of the water
- demonstrate the huge amount of sediment and rubbish that comes down the river
- discuss the severe damage caused by flooding to the Golf Course, river banks and the ecosystem.
Video: Please view the following video which shows the poor condition of the River and the urgency that Council need to act. [you may recognise some of our Golfers in this video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmxKUwB8VFQ
Where to from here:
At the conclusion of the meeting the 3 x representatives were much better appraised of the poor condition
of the Cooks River and the damage to our course caused by flooding. No doubt viewing the video of the
Cooks River has reinforced the need for action.
As a result of the visit, the Board has been asked by both Strathfield Council and the Cooks River Alliance to
prepare a high level plan to demonstrate the following possibilities:
- What sections of the river could be widened to restrict the amount of flood damage & slow the water down
- What sections of the river could be widened to create better contour drainage and run off towards the river,
during and after flooding
- What sections the Course could be a used for a wetland area similar to the dam near the 9th Green.
Once the river is widened the sloping bank sections would be planted with grass, native plants and trees
to create a sustainable ecosystem. This opportunity to work closely with these 2 x stakeholders on the river
will have transformational benefits to the Course and ensure long term environmental benefits are realized.
In addition, the pathway towards obtaining Government grants to assist in this work will be enhanced with
the guidance and support of Strathfield Council and the Cooks River Alliance.
Together with the Sub-Committee and the Board we will draft the high level plan and share it with you.
Robert Poynting
President
