The Federal Government has undertaken a significant nationwide Biodiversity Project as part of its Clean Energy Future. This sees funding being made available, for a range of environmental initiatives to protect biodiversity areas, to relevant governmental bodies to manage and implement. One such governmental body is the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA). The SMCMA covers an area of Sydney that stretches as far north as Narrabeen, following the ridge line west through areas such as Hornsby, The Hills district, Blacktown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Campbelltown and across to Stanwell Tops. (click here for an overview map of the SMCMA area) SMCMA essentially covers all ground water run off flows to the ocean within the Sydney basin ie Sydney Harbour including Parramatta River and Lane Cove River, Middle Harbour, Narrabeen Lakes, Cooks River, Georges River, and Port Hacking. Other Catchment Management Authorities manage adjoining areas and elsewhere within the state, but these are largely rural where golf courses occupy only a small proportion of the total area. In Sydney this is the reverse. The largest land holders within the SMCMA area, where these biodiversity projects can be activated, are generally occupied by golf courses, local government councils and other large land holders. As a result, and due to the influence of golf courses within this area, Golf NSW have joined with SMCMA to embrace the opportunity on behalf of just over 60 golf clubs. This is aimed at providing an opportunity to be involved in the project and to being identified for funding opportunities to undertake a range of biodiversity activities. Documents outlining the project, and providing interested clubs the opportunity to express an interest in being considered for biodiversity funding, are listed below.
Author: Golf NSW