The Blackwater golf course was visibly drought-stricken with players kicking the dust rather than putting on greens before Central Highlands Regional Council, Queensland, installed hundreds of sprinklers on the course.
Deemed a ‘hole-in-one’ solution, the irrigation system uses grey wastewater from the town’s sewage treatment plant, reducing the amount released into a nearby creek and making it compliant with environmental legislation.
The entire irrigation project was carried out in three stages and included a local sports complex and nearby vacant land, but it is the local golfers who are making the most of it.
Aside from green fairways and greens, an eight-megalitre evaporation pond is a much sought-after feature for golfers who are challenged to tee off across its expanse.
Club President, Darren Carpenter praised the collaboration with Council and has big visions for the course being a recreational space that benefits the mining town’s community.
With sufficient community buy-in the club plans to eventually mark out a park run track on the site.
Acting General Manager Infrastructure and Utilities, Jason Hoolihan said it was an investment that paid off for Council and the community.
“Disposing of treated wastewater through irrigation is common practice and Council was required to expand its irrigation system to comply with environmental conditions.
“Blackwater now has almost 70 hectares of recreational space irrigated with treated wastewater at the Hunter Street sports complex and the golf course.
“With COVID-19 restrictions shutting down most golf course activities in early 2020, Council’s project engineer saw the perfect time to get the system installed on the course greens and fairways.”
