16 Nov 2012

Reports this week have emerged in the Sydney media, that The Australian Open host venue The Lakes Golf Club is under investigation by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) over its use of a chemical treatment in its greens.

According to the Daily Telegraph newspaper, The Lakes and other courses in the Sydney area have been battling nemotodes and some have resorted to a banned herbicide in an effort to rid the golf course of these damaging parasites. The herbicides used are apparently legal in other states, but in New South Wales the EPA is looking into at least 20 alleged breaches statewide of the Pesticides Act and the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.

Nemotodes have been a problem in Sydney golf for some time now, with the microscopic invertebrates capable of causing great damage to turfgrass roots by feeding on, or burrowing through, the plants tissue.

The newspaper quoted an EPA spokesperson who confirmed the investigation was underway. According to the source, “The EPA is investigating The Lakes Golf Course for the unlawful use of chemicals. Because the investigation is ongoing, we are not able to comment further. We acted in response to a report made to us."

The paper added that the President of the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association had warned members in a recent letter to expect random visits from EPA inspectors. Craig Molloy was quoted as having said that, “they (the EPA) are unimpressed with what their investigation is unearthing and will be prosecuting individuals and clubs."

For their part, the only comment from The Lakes Golf Club came from President Kevin Chandler who claimed the club had a, ‘very strict environmental management plan of which we're proud’. Chandler added they were co-operating with the EPA and assured members and the wider public that there had been ‘no residual impact on the course or the surrounding area.’ That surrounding area includes a large body of water that forms part of the sensitive and protected Botany Water Reserve.

It is worth noting here, that the club’s long-time superintendent recently left The Lakes and took up a position at a nearby competitor. It’s not known at this stage whether the alleged breaches incurred during his tenure or after he departed the club.

Naturally, with the Australian Open only a couple of weeks away the last thing Golf Australia needs is for its host venue to be mired in environmental controversy.

We will endeavour to stay on top of this story, and to bring further updates.

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