MANLY GOLF COURSE
STORMWATER, HARVESTING
AND RE-USE PROJECT
May 2012
FINAL REPORT
REPORT CLEARANCE/SIGN OFF
Function
Position
Prepared by
Project Manager
Ed Hynes
Approved by
Construction Supervisor
Michael Bradbery
Approved by
Steering
Chairman
Ken Munro
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Committee
Name
Signature
Date
Page 2
Contents
1.
2
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
PROJECT SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 4
MERIT CRITERIA .......................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Potable Water Demand Reduction ................................................................................... 7
2.2 Project Cost-Effectiveness................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Environmental and Social Benefits ................................................................................... 8
2.4 Greenhouse Emissions ...................................................................................................... 9
2.5 Community Engagement................................................................................................... 9
2.6 Project Status .................................................................................................................... 9
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION DETAILS ........................................................................................... 9
3.1 Contributing Catchments .................................................................................................. 9
3.2 Primary Treatment .......................................................................................................... 9
3.3 Pond Function and Arrangement .................................................................................. 10
3.4 Filtration .......................................................................................................................... 12
3.5 Disinfection ..................................................................................................................... 12
3.6 Storage and Distribution ................................................................................................. 12
3.7 Turf .................................................................................................................................. 13
3.8 Landscaping ..................................................................................................................... 13
3.9 Timeframe ....................................................................................................................... 13
3.10 Scheme Performance ...................................................................................................... 13
MANLY GOLF CLUB REDEVELOPMENT - STORMWATER HARVESTING AND RE-USE ............... 14
4.1 Project Overview ............................................................................................................. 14
4.2 Service Providers ............................................................................................................. 14
4.3 Financial Information ...................................................................................................... 15
OVERALL PROJECT DISCUSSION - ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES ........................................... 16
5.1 Providing Alternative Water Supply Sources for Course Irrigation ................................ 16
5.2 Treat Stormwater ........................................................................................................... 16
5.3 Replace Irrigation System ............................................................................................... 16
5.4 Community Education ..................................................................................................... 17
5.5 Other Project Benefits..................................................................................................... 18
OVERALL PROJECT DISCUSSION - LESSONS .............................................................................. 20
6.1 Implementing the Project ............................................................................................... 20
6.2 Involvement of Scheme Owner/Operator in Delivery of Capital Works, and
Provision of Management Tools to Owner/Operator..................................................... 20
Appendix 1: Extracts from Progress Reports detailing work undertaken ...................................
Appendix 2: Audit reports on project expenditure .....................................................................
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1.0
PROJECT SUMMARY
Manly Golf Course is located within the Manly Local Government Area (LGA) in the northern
suburbs of Sydney. The golf course is divided into two distinct sections, the ‘North Links’ and
‘South Links’, by Kenneth Road which runs approximately east-west connecting the suburbs of
Manly Vale and Manly. Other roads near the golf course include Balgowlah Road, Quirk Road,
Addiscombe Road and Riverview Parade. A section of the North Links lies adjacent to Manly
lagoon. Two Council reserves, LM Graham Reserve and Keirle Park are situated near the
boundary of the golf course to the east. Another reserve, Manly West Park, is situated adjacent
to the western boundary of the South Links. A locality plan is included as Figure 1.
Manly Golf Club has undertaken redevelopment of their 18 hole course. The works address
current issues including poor drainage, flooding, water quality and security of supply of irrigation
water.
Figure 1: Manly Golf Club Location Map.
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A significant component of the golf course redevelopment has been the construction of a
stormwater harvesting pond on the South Links. Prior to the redevelopment, the Club’s source of
irrigation water was the aquifer underneath the golf course and Sydney Water’s potable supply
network. The objective of the pond is to provide an additional source of water for irrigation of the
golf course and to offset the existing demand for potable water. It has also provided additional
environmental benefits including improvement of the quality of stormwater entering the golf
course and flowing to Manly Lagoon.
The stormwater harvesting pond is one component of the overall redevelopment work that was
carried out at Manly Golf course which are intended to enhance and improve the Club’s overall
water management. Other components of the redevelopment works which are intended to
address (lower) water demand include:

Installation of a new and more efficient irrigation system (including weather station and soil
moisture sensors) to replaced the existing system, which suffers from aged pipework and lack
of course coverage.

Planting of grass species that require less watering as well as less herbicides and pesticides.

Construction of a new estuarine channel through the North Links to provide additional aquatic
flora and fauna habitat and to improve the quality of stormwater entering Manly Lagoon by
treating low flows.

Capture, treat and use for irrigation 47 mega litres (ML) of stormwater annually and through
the achievement of this:
–
Reduce the volume of stormwater, with its attendant pollutant load, flowing into
Manly Lagoon every year.
–
Reduce the volume of potable water use by 47 ML every year.
–
Increase biodiversity, including through the creation of aquatic habitat for native
plants and animals.

Through public viewing, tours, signage, and publications by the Golf Club, reinforce
community awareness of water management, biodiversity issues, and the Project.

Through high-profile events and publications by the Golf Clubs, demonstrate best practice in
water management and environment protection to the local, state, national and
international community.

Create a sustainable water supply and assist in securing the long-term future for Manly Golf
Club.

Through the contribution by Manly Golf Club to the capital cost of the Project, and through
the ownership and operation of the completed scheme increase private-sector investment in
water management.
The Project was funded jointly by the Australian Government, Water for the Future contributing
through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan and Manly Golf Club.
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The land at Manly Golf Club is held as freehold and represented a significant non-cash contribution
to the Project.
Manly Golf Club was the grantee for the funding under a Funding Agreement with the
Commonwealth, and entered into all contracts with service providers for the design and
construction of the project.
The scheme was delivered using the following delivery approach, outlined as follows:

A design brief was prepared by the Golf Club.

A Golf Course architect and engineering firm were appointed.

The design consultancy (head design consultant plus sub consultants) conducted the design
process and produced construction tender documentation.

Tenders were called for the construction contract.

A head construction contractor was appointed.

The head construction contractor and supporting subcontractors executed the works.

The Golf Club Project Managed and superintended the construction contract.
This Final Report outlines the Project through to the completion of the Funding Agreement.
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2.0
MERIT CRITERIA
2.1
Potable Water Demand Reduction
The stormwater harvesting and re-use scheme will reduce the demand for potable water on the
golf course. Manly Golf Club currently sources up to 50 ML per year from the on-site aquifer. A
further 50 to 60 ML of potable water is drawn from the Sydney Water potable supply system in an
average rainfall year. This volume increases to between 110 and 120 ML per year during a dry
year.
The stormwater harvesting pond will provide up to 48 ML per year of irrigation water supply. This
will offset the majority of the current potable water demand in an average rainfall year.
A summary of the projected volume of stormwater that will be harvested and re-used on the golf
course is contained in the following table:
Stormwater Volume (ML / yr)
Average Year
(50 percentile rainfall)
Dry Year
(10 percentile rainfall)
Replacing potable water use
47
48
Replacing other sources of water
0
0
New Purposes
0
0
Due to the size of the catchment discharging into the stormwater harvesting pond, the annual
supply of stormwater from the pond would not vary considerably with respect to variation in
annual rainfall. Depending on annual rainfall, the volume of stormwater run-off that would
bypass the pond would be between 50% and 95% of the total annual run-off from the upstream
catchment.
Manly Golf Club has committed to prioritising the use of harvested stormwater above other
sources of water including potable water and water from the aquifer. The design of the irrigation
system has ensured that harvested stormwater can be used for irrigation across the entire extent
of the course.
2.2
Project Cost-effectiveness
Based on the average annual volume of potable water offset by the use of harvested stormwater
(47 ML), the levelised cost of the scheme (excluding GST) is approximately $90,925 per megalitre.
The scheme will provide a number of benefits for both Manly Golf Club and a variety of
stakeholders including local government and community groups. The overall benefits of the
project include:
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
A significant reduction in potable water demand on the golf course. The average annual
volume of supply from the pond is expected to account for between 20% and 60% of the total
irrigation demand of the golf course, and between 50% and 100% of the total potable water
demand.

Improvement in downstream water quality as a result of transfer for irrigation and filtration
through the sandy soils over the golf course and removal of pollutants by the stormwater
treatment train.

Increase in flora and fauna habitat around the fringes of the pond, in addition to other works
on the golf course including a new estuarine channel on the North Links.

Planting of native vegetation over the North and South Links of the course including some
1500 trees and about 300,000 other plants including shrubs, groundcovers and aquatic
vegetation. The intention is to achieve a more diverse and native vegetation regime over the
course.
The scheme over time will generate a number of significant benefits, both financial and nonfinancial. These benefits far outweigh any associated costs.
2.3
Environmental and Social Benefits
The stormwater harvesting and re-use scheme has generated a number of environmental and
social benefits. These are summarised in the following points:

Improvement of in-stream water quality by treatment and removal of gross pollutants,
sediments, nutrients and pathogens. The stormwater harvesting treatment train has resulted
in an improvement in the quality of water entering Manly Lagoon from the Cemetery Creek
catchment.

The pond has formed a significant component of the overall water sensitive urban design
(WSUD) strategy for the golf course redevelopment, including enhancement of wetlands in
the North Links, replacing existing grasses with species that require less water and
pesticide/herbicide treatment and opening up sections of concrete stormwater pipe to create
open water bodies for enhanced biodiversity and water quality improvements.

Significant reduction in potable water demand on the golf course.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of the irrigation system compared to
the existing system operation by purchasing ‘green’ energy.

Enhancing biodiversity by providing additional habitat for aquatic flora and fauna around the
fringes of the pond and creeks.

The pond has become a feature of the golf course redevelopment and will enhance the course
difficulty by acting as a water hazard for players hitting from the 17th tee.
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2.4
Greenhouse Emissons
The redevelopment of the Golf Course will have a significant impact on Greenhouse gas emissions.
300,000 native plants have been planted, more efficient infrastructure demanding less energy has
been installed, and as well as being lower, the overall use of energy purchased will be ‘green’.
There are many studies currently being undertaken which are indicating that golf courses contain
more carbon than they produce.
2.5
Community Engagement
Manly Golf Club is committed to maximising the demonstration benefits of the stormwater
harvesting scheme. The Club has organised consultation sessions with Manly Council, the Manly
Lagoon Catchment Co-ordinating Committee and a number of local community precinct
committees to demonstrate the objectives for the scheme.
In addition, the Club has approached a number of local primary schools inviting them to visit the
Club so they can demonstrate the operation of the scheme and provide students with educational
material relating to the environmental and water management benefits of stormwater harvesting.
2.6
Project Status
The stormwater harvesting pond and re-use scheme is complete and the objectives of the project
have generally been achieved.
3.0
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
3.1
Contributing Catchments
The stormwater harvesting pond receives flows from the (so called) Cemetery Creek catchment.
The catchment area is approximately 35 hectares and primarily consists of residential
development with some commercial and retail buildings. It discharges onto the South Links of the
golf course via a 1200mm diameter concrete pipe which drains in a northerly direction from
Balgowlah Road. The 1200mm pipe has been diverted from its existing outlet point to discharge
into the stormwater harvesting pond. Any flow greater than the capacity of the 1200mm pipe will
discharge over the kerb and gutter in Balgowlah Road (as it did previously) and enter the golf
course as overland sheet flow. The previously existing unformed creek in the golf course will be
maintained to convey the overland flow around the pond. The creek generally flows in a northeasterly direction through the South and North Links of the golf course entering Manly Lagoon
near the north-east corner of the course adjacent to Keirle Park.
3.2
Primary Treatment
The Club has installed an Ecosol 4900 gross pollutant trap (GPT) located just inside the golf course
boundary fence near Balgowlah Road. It is designed to remove gross pollutants and coarse
sediments from stormwater flows received from the Cemetery Creek catchment.
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The Club will manage the periodic maintenance of the unit to ensure optimum function and
pollutant removal is achieved. Installation of the new GPT required dewatering of the surrounding
soils and relaying of stormwater pipes on the upstream and downstream sides of the GPT.
Figure 2: Ecosol 4900 Installation
3.3
Pond Function and Arrangement
The stormwater harvesting pond receives all flow from the Cemetery Creek
pit and pipe drainage system.
Stormwater was diverted from its current route to an overland flow swale through a new 1200mm
pipe to the pond.
Figure 3: The diversion chamber showing pipe to pond.
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Figure 4: Aerial of Stormwater Harvesting System Components
The total volume of the pond is approximately 4.8 megalitres (ML), with a maximum pond depth
of 3.1 metres.
Figure 5: Completed Stormwater Harvesting Pond
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The pond is to capture stormwater for transfer to on-site above ground storage tanks, which will
be used for storage of irrigation water for the golf course. The pond has been lined with an
impermeable Polyethylene liner to prevent the loss of stored water through seepage into the
groundwater table. By capturing and transferring water for irrigation purposes the pond has
resulted in an improvement to the quality of stormwater entering Manly Lagoon. The pond edges
have been planted with native vegetation that will also enhance nutrient uptake and provide
additional stormwater treatment. The pond has also formed a water hazard for golfers teeing off
from the 16th tee.
An overflow weir that allows stormwater flows greater than the pond volume to discharge back
into Cemetery Creek and ultimately into Manly Lagoon. The overflow weir/spillway has been
constructed as an engineered core wall with a rock fill surface to provide some aeration and to
prevent scour of the creek downstream of the pond.
3.4 Filtration
A self flushing filtration system has been installed between the stormwater transfer pond and the
storage tanks to filter stormwater to around 200 microns. The purpose of the filtration system will
be to prevent clogging of the irrigation system and minimise maintenance and cleaning of the
stormwater storage tanks.
3.5 Disinfection
In order to mitigate the potential health risks associated with pathogens in stormwater, a
disinfection system has been provided adjacent to the storage tanks.
Chlorination (sodium hyper chloride injection) into the outlet line of the irrigation system has been
installed to treat all outgoing water.
3.6 Storage and Distribution
The stormwater captured in the pond is being transferred to the North Links by a Pump. The pump
is connected to the pond via a wet well on the south side of the pond. The pump is automatically
controlled in relation to demand and pond water level. It also has an automatic control connected
to a float switch which has been installed in a piezometer near the pond. The purpose of this float
switch is to prevent the water level in the pond being drawn below the surrounding groundwater
level, which may cause flotation of the pond liner.
The pump can transfer up to 15 l/s via a 125mm diameter rising main, which discharges into the
two 500 kilolitre tanks located on the North Links. These tanks are used as the primary source of
irrigation supply for the golf course, with supplementary supply from aquifer storage tanks and
potable water supply if required.
A new irrigation system has been constructed for irrigating the entire extent of the golf course
(approximately 34 hectares). The irrigation system has two soil moisture sensors to minimise overwatering of the course. The irrigation system supply control utilises harvested stormwater over
other sources of water including aquifer and potable water.
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3.7
Turf
Over 34 hectares of imported grass species were replaced by native couch reducing water
requirements.
3.8
Landscaping
300,000 native shrubs and grasses have been planted together with 650 trees.
3.9
Timeframe
Detailed design of the scheme was completed in February 2011, and McMahons was engaged in
July 2011, with construction commencing on site shortly afterwards.
Practical Completion under the construction contract was certified at 30 th May 2012.
3.10 Scheme Performance
Due to the projects delays from flooding and wet weather the completion of the project has
coincided with the seasonal drop off in irrigation demand. Transfer and use of stormwater will be
minimal over the winter period. Demand will increase from September into summer and through
til the following winter.
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4.
MANLY GOLF CLUB REDEVELOPMENT – STORMWATER HARVESTING AND RE-USE
4.1
Project Overview
Stormwater is collected from the 1200mm pipe entering Manly Golf Club on its current 11 th
fairway near the intersection of Balgowlah Road and Hill Street. This catchment extends south to
Sydney Road with and area of approximately 30 hectares.
The stormwater is treated initially via the Ecosol Gross Pollutant Trap installed on the southern
side of the 11th fairway. Stormwater then enters the stormwater harvesting pond via the new
1200mm pipe.
Six aeration units are installed in the pond to circulate and aerate the stormwater to commence
treatment by exposure to sunlight and aeration. Transfer from the stormwater pond to the two
500 kilolitre tanks is automatically controlled by level sensors and a radio signal.
A new irrigation pump station and system have been installed to distribute the stormwater around
the golf course. A new upgraded electricity supply was installed to power the new irrigation pump
system. The new substation was installed at the golf club maintenance compound on Balgowlah
Road.
The new irrigation system draws water from the two new 500 kilolitre water tanks next the to the
new pump station. The tanks are filled initially from the stormwater pond, then the bore supply
and finally town water.
Further stormwater treatment is carried out at the irrigation pump station to inject chlorine to
control any pathogens in the stormwater prior to irrigation.
4.2 Service Providers
Service providers involved in the delivery of the scheme are listed below.
Table 1: Manly Golf Club Scheme Service Providers
Name
Worley Parsons
Thomson Perrett
Total Irrigation
Australian Turf Projects
Toolijooa
Alco Pumps
Aim Electrical
All About Pipes
Jeffrey and Katouskas
Sydney Soil and Environmental
McMahons
Curtis Barriers
Springfield Civil
North Rocks Concrete
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Role
Design, engineering
Golf and Landscape Design.
Irrigation design.
Irrigation installation
Landscaping contractor to MGC.
Subcontractor to Australian Turf projects, pump installation and
automation (control systems).
Electrical supply contracted to MGC.
Sealing inlet pipes Contract to MGC.
Geotechnical design and supervision
Acid Sulphate Soil Management Plan and testing
Construction contractor.
Pond liner subcontractor to McMahon
Subcontractor to McMahon – diversion chambers, pipework, wet well.
Concrete scour protection in pond – Subcontract to McMahon
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4.3
Financial Information
The expenditure and contributions for the scheme at completion are tabulated in Table 2. No
project-generated income was earned on the project monies.
Table 2: Manly Golf Club Scheme Funding.
MGC
Contribution
Australian
Government
Scheme Expenditure
July 10-June 11
GST
$828,142
$828,142
$828,800
$ 82,880
$911,680
$1,656,942
$ 82,880
$1,739,822
July 11-June 12
GST
$1,814,432
$1,814,432
$1,262,900*
$ 126,290*
$1,389,190
$3,077,332
$ 126,290
$3,203,622
Total
$2,642,574
$2,300,870
$4,943,444
Financial Year
*includes final payment $137,500.
Audit reports on project expenditure are attached in Appendix 2
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5.
OVERALL PROJECT DISCUSSION – ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
5.1
Providing Alternative Water Supply Sources for Course Irrigation.
The Stormwater Harvesting pond is a 4.8 megalitre storage facility harvesting water from a 35
hectare catchment to the south of the golf course. Modelling suggests the pond will provide 47
megalitres of supply for irrigation in an average year. As the project was delayed due to flooding
and extreme weather conditions harvesting has only just commenced. This has coincided with the
winter period of very low water use. Assessment of the amount of harvested stormwater will take
place on and ongoing basis. Water meters have been installed to measure water use. Potable
water reduction is expected to meet of exceed the stormwater harvested due to the alternate
supply and other efficiency measures included in the project.
Over seven hectares of turf areas have been converted to native landscape during the project to
reduce water use and other inputs. The conversion of turf species to a native derived Couch has
also increased the efficiency of water use.
5.2
Treat Stormwater
Stormwater treatment has been achieved from the project in several manners.
CAPTURE AND RE-USE
Through the capture, storage and re-use of stormwater for irrigation water quality received in the
downstream system is being improved. Water treatment of the stored water through exposure to
sunlight in the pond, aeration during storage and filtration and chlorination during its transfer and
use are reducing pathogens and bacteria.
Using the stormwater for irrigation purposes utilises any available nutrients (typically nitrogen and
phosphorus) for plant uptake. Other contaminants are also filtered through the turf and soil
system breaking down and trapping pollutants before moving downstream.
RIPARIAN VEGETATION
The project has included the establishment of over 3 hectares of new riparian vegetation along the
new and existing water ways. These new planting have provided better treatment and use of
nutrients moving down the waterways. Increased exposure to sunlight by removing the
stormwater pipes has also improved water quality.
5.3
Replace Irrigation System
One of the key objectives of reducing potable water use was to improve water use efficiency by
replacing the old irrigation system. The new system provides increased efficiency in several ways.
UNIFORM COVERAGE
Through the professional design, set-out and installation of the irrigation system sprinkler
coverage has increased dramatically to ensure water is applied as evenly as possible when
required.
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APPLICATION MANAGEMENT
The new system allows water to be applied where necessary. Variations in elevation, soil type and
use demand irrigation be managed to meet each specific area. This is now carried out using soil
moisture assessment and irrigation control manipulation to apply only the water required to each
specific area. The use of part circle sprinklers in many locations has also enabled better
application management.
5.4
Community Education
Through public viewing, tours, signage, and publications by the Golf Clubs, reinforce community
awareness of water management, biodiversity issues, and the Project. Many initiatives and events
by and in conjunction with the Clubs demonstrate the strong, ongoing achievement of this
objective:
Figure 6: NSWGCSA tour of stormwater harvesting project.
Members of the NSWGCSA visited Manly Golf Club on Thursday the 24th of October 2011 to hear a
presentation by Course Superintendent Michael Bradbery on the Stormwater Harvesting Project
and associated works.
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Figure 7: MGC member tour and working bee
Members of Manly Golf Club were invited to tour the construction of the Stormwater Harvesting
Pond conducted by Course Superintendent Michael Bradbery. The tour was designed to inform the
members of the benefits of the scheme in regard to reducing potable water use, treating and reuse of stormwater and the benefits of bio-diversity of the new riparian vegetation. Following the
tour members assisted staff in rubbish removal and weeding in some of the new riparian zones on
the north links.
Manly West Primary school has been invited to bring classes to the course for presentations on
the various aspects of the project. A date is to be determined.
5.5 Other Project Benefits
INCREASED BIODIVERSITY
Increased biodiversity, including the creation of aquatic habitat for native plants and animals. The
project has involved the planting of over fifty thousand native plants covering upwards of 30 to 50
individual species, with significant effort put into the collection of plant stock by local genetic
stock.
Overall the golf course re-development has included the plating or 250,000 native landscape
plants of 63 different species. Bird habitat for both water birds and small birds requiring dense
shrubs is appearing to increase. Survey of birds has not been carried out as yet.
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Figure 8: New riparian vegetation planting south links
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6.
OVERALL PROJECT DISCUSSION – LESSONS
6.1
Implementing the Project
WEATHER
Several months delay was experienced during the project. The main obstacle to the project was
the wet weather and flooding that occurred during the project. Whilst little can be done to
overcome this a greater allowance for weather delays would be advisable.
GROUNDWATER
Whilst groundwater issues were expected during the project these were increased by the amount
of rainfall and unseasonably high water table during the project.
SUPPLY
As the project has just been completed harvesting has only been carried out to a minor extent.
Irrigation will increase in spring when the quantity of stormwater harvested and potable water
savings can be assessed.
It is envisaged that the forecast savings of 48ML production per average year will be reached.
6.2
Involvement of Scheme Owner/Operator in Delivery of Capital Works, and Provision of
Management Tools to Owner/Operator
The project was managed by Manly Golf Club who contracted the main construction contractor
and various sub contractors to carry out the works. Project Management was carried out by Ed
Hynes General Manager. Construction supervision was carried out by Michael Bradbery Course
Superintendent.
The Club contracted the following companies: McMahons - bulk earthworks, golf course construction and the various items
subcontracted.
 Australian Turf Projects - irrigation installation
 Aim Electrical - electrical installation and connection
 Dad and Daves Turf - grass supply
 Toolijooa Nursery - supply and install landscape plants
The lead contractor McMahons sub-contracted the following: Springfield Civil - the civil works of the GPT, 1200mm pipeline, diversion pit, wet well and
all drainage work
 Curtis Barrier - the pond liner, drainage barrier, hydrostatic valve
 North Rocks Concrete
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