Ms ANDERSON - 2005-10-11
The Alice Springs Golf Course has long had salinity issues with its fairways. Can you please outline what assistance the government is providing to help overcome this problem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question, because I know that she has enjoyed golf at the Alice Springs Golf Course which certainly is a beautiful facility. I have been advised that it is rated as one of the top 10 best golf courses in the world, which is fantastic and a real credit to the hardworking, committed club members at the Alice Springs Golf Course.
The Northern Territory government has been a strong and ardent supporter of that course. The maintenance of the surfaces there is, obviously, reliant on having a constant water supply and one that is of appropriate quality. I have been advised by a member that it is fact raining in Alice Springs today. That is good news.
Ms Carney: It must have been the Labor government!
Ms LAWRIE: Good news for the greenkeepers! Unlike the CLP who claim acts of God.
Unfortunately, the course has had issues with its water supply, in particular with mineralisation of the supply. Salinity has now become a longstanding issue for the golf club. This government was delighted to make an election commitment of $130 000 provided to the club to improve the status quo and look at the long-term options.
We are not a quick fix government, but one that looks at both short- and long-term solutions to issues. We have demonstrated this clearly, time and time again, with other sporting projects such as Marrara Oval and the upgraded facilities at Traeger Park. We are getting on with the job of delivering our election commitments.
The Alice Springs Golf Club will receive funding to plant salt-resistant grass on the fairways that do not already have it. In addition, they are being funded to undertake a full study to determine sustainable salinity and mineralisation and water levels for the course. This study will look at to how best maximise the efficiency of the course’s watering and infrastructure program. I understand the golf club has already been proactive in its approach to these issues and has already commenced work on assessing the impacting factors on the fairways’ maintenance. I congratulate the club on their initiative and their efforts to date. I am very proud to be able to support them in their ongoing efforts to make the golf course sustainable into the future.
The work at the Alice Springs Golf Course is just one of the many election commitments for sport and recreation in Alice Springs. We also have the $8.1m new aquatic centre, and a new home for soccer and drag racing as commitments. We are certainly moving sport and recreation ahead in the Centre.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Macdonnell for her question, because I know that she has enjoyed golf at the Alice Springs Golf Course which certainly is a beautiful facility. I have been advised that it is rated as one of the top 10 best golf courses in the world, which is fantastic and a real credit to the hardworking, committed club members at the Alice Springs Golf Course.
The Northern Territory government has been a strong and ardent supporter of that course. The maintenance of the surfaces there is, obviously, reliant on having a constant water supply and one that is of appropriate quality. I have been advised by a member that it is fact raining in Alice Springs today. That is good news.
Ms Carney: It must have been the Labor government!
Ms LAWRIE: Good news for the greenkeepers! Unlike the CLP who claim acts of God.
Unfortunately, the course has had issues with its water supply, in particular with mineralisation of the supply. Salinity has now become a longstanding issue for the golf club. This government was delighted to make an election commitment of $130 000 provided to the club to improve the status quo and look at the long-term options.
We are not a quick fix government, but one that looks at both short- and long-term solutions to issues. We have demonstrated this clearly, time and time again, with other sporting projects such as Marrara Oval and the upgraded facilities at Traeger Park. We are getting on with the job of delivering our election commitments.
The Alice Springs Golf Club will receive funding to plant salt-resistant grass on the fairways that do not already have it. In addition, they are being funded to undertake a full study to determine sustainable salinity and mineralisation and water levels for the course. This study will look at to how best maximise the efficiency of the course’s watering and infrastructure program. I understand the golf club has already been proactive in its approach to these issues and has already commenced work on assessing the impacting factors on the fairways’ maintenance. I congratulate the club on their initiative and their efforts to date. I am very proud to be able to support them in their ongoing efforts to make the golf course sustainable into the future.
The work at the Alice Springs Golf Course is just one of the many election commitments for sport and recreation in Alice Springs. We also have the $8.1m new aquatic centre, and a new home for soccer and drag racing as commitments. We are certainly moving sport and recreation ahead in the Centre.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016