ASSN REPORTS TURF QLD ASSOCIATION REPORTS
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ince my last article in the January-February 2018 edition, the rains have come to Queensland with most growers having their on-site dam storages filled. It is pleasing to advise that the Townsville area, which was under Level 3 restrictions, received considerable rain with the Ross River Dam 93 per cent full at the time of writing which resulted in the lifting of restrictions. The problem in this hot, dry area is that installing natural turfgrass requires watering morning, noon and night in the initial phases to ensure establishment. Water sustainability continues to be a major issue across our country. Our members report that they supplied a considerable amount of quality turfgrass to the various events and stadiums for the Commonwealth Games, including both the competition track and training fields at Carrara Sports Precinct. Now that this has been completed our deliveries can get back to normal without any of the road restrictions. The turf industry in Queensland currently is quite busy with a number of farms facing shortages of various species. Turf Queensland has as one of its objectives to visit all members face to face at least once per year across the state. During visits in February we undertook a small survey to accurately assess our market and its size within Queensland. This has now been completed for southeast Queensland, north Queensland and far north Queensland. The outcomes were quite surprising and in some areas extremely revealing as past assessments were only knowledgeable estimates. The turf production industry in Queensland has for some time been
ON THE MOVE COREY BANDY: From superintendent Rockingham Golf Club, WA to irrigation tech officer City of Melville, WA. OLIVER BELL: From assistant superintendent Terrey Hills Golf Club, NSW to superintendent Dunsborough Lakes Golf Club, WA. GREG BURGESS: Resigned as superintendent Portsea Golf Club, Vic. MARK FINDLAY: From superintendent Midlands Golf Club, Vic to superintendent Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club, Vic. KEENAN HOBBS: From superintendent Wollongong Golf Club, NSW to superintendent Shoalhaven Heads Golf Club, NSW. Hobbs replaces the retiring Tony Orford. MAL GRUNDY: Resigned as superintendent Murray Bridge Golf Club, SA after 24 years (37 in total at the club) to become a senior greenkeeper at The Grange Golf Club, SA. CLAYTON HOWELL: Resigned as superintendent Eastern Golf Club, Vic. 88
underestimated and thanks to these visits we can now accurately provide the detail that certainly lifts the profile of our industry: l Total area under managed turf in Queensland is 2725 hectares. l Since 2010, the total investment by member companies is $50,790,000 (or $1 million per farm). l The intended future investment over the next three years is $22 million (or $0.5 million per farm). l The increased yield across the farms averaged 14 per cent per farm. l Total number of employees across the 50 member companies is over 350 (full-time). l The natural turfgrass production industry provides a GDP of an impressive $327 million per annum. Other ‘on-farm’ areas that were measured included energy efficiency, water efficiency and waste reduction. The natural turfgrass industry in Queensland operates with state-of-the-art equipment and best practice processes to ensure productivity and efficiencies are obtained for the sustainability of the business. In turn, this provides ease of mind to the end user/consumer that they are receiving quality turfgrass, provided it is sourced through a Turf Queensland member. Bio-security and risk management are also high on their business agenda.
JAY INFANTI: From assistant superintendent to superintendent Eastern Golf Club, Vic. DYLAN KNIGHT: From superintendent Sanctuary Lakes GC, Vic to superintendent Kingston Beach Golf Club, Tas. PAUL KORTHOLT: Resigned as superintendent Rossdale Golf Club, Vic. RHETT PINDER: From assistant superintendent to superintendent Club Mandalay, Vic. JASON POU: From assistant superintendent Royal Fremantle Golf Club, WA to superintendent Rockingham Golf Club, WA. MARK PROSSER: Resigned as superintendent Commonwealth Golf Club, Vic after 19 years. TRAVIS STILLMAN: From assistant superintendent Frankston Golf Club, Vic to superintendent Rossdale Golf Club, Vic. TIM WARREN: From senior assistant superintendent The Grange Golf Club, SA to superintendent Glenelg Golf Club, SA.
AUSTRALIAN TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT 20.3
JIM VAUGHAN TURF QUEENSLAND
Mal Grundy