Manly Golf Course will save water and enhance its playing surfaces following the completion of its stormwater harvesting and reuse project.

Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, said the project will harvest, treat and reuse stormwater flowing through the course from a 35 hectare catchment to irrigate the Manly golf course.

“The Australian Government contributed more than $2.3 million to this project, which will enable the golf club to save 48 million litres of water a year,” Senator Farrell said.

“That’s the equivalent of nearly 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools full of water each year, and this project will also provide environmental benefits by reducing the impact of urban run-off on Manly Lagoon.”

Officially opening the project today, Labor Senator for New South Wales Matt Thistlethwaite said it has not only encouraged wildlife to the area but also improved the amenity for golfers.

“The native plants and landscaping look great and are attracting native wildlife to the area,” Senator Thistlethwaite said.

“The new pond is an essential component of the overall water-sensitive urban design strategy. It also enhances the difficulty of the course by acting as a water hazard for players hitting from the 17th tee, which provides a great challenge for golfers.”

Australian Government funding for this project was through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan under the Water for the Future initiative.

The stormwater harvesting and reuse projects funded from the Plan will improve the security of water supplies to Australia’s cities and towns, reduce demand on potable water supplies and help to reduce the impact of urban run-off on receiving waters.