Cottesloe Golf Club Vegetation Masterplan

Strategy & Intent

Our intent for the Vegetation Masterplan is to prioritise the areas of the site, alongside golf, as a significant environment and biodiverse asset for the wider Perth area, Swanbourne, City of Nedlands and Cottesloe Golf Club.

The aim over time is to restore, and rehabilitate the site as a landscape of local indigenous plant species, and increase and protect biodiversity in the golf course environment.

“Celebrate, Reveal, Establish”

There are three key actions to guide the Vegetation Masterplan, as follows: (Click to expand)

“CELEBRATE”

Celebrate the rich and diverse indigenous plant species of the Cottesloe Central and South, and Karrakatta Central and South vegetation complexes with significant re-vegetation to the property in out of play areas. With this is mind, a celebration, potential expansion and enhancement of existing remnant vegetation areas of the site.

We have 13 existing dedicated Remnant Areas on the property totaling 9.69% of the property. We have the opportunity to increase selected remnant areas, while utilising the character of these stands of vegetation throughout the site in other areas. The diversity of vegetation species evident in adjacent Bold Park is somewhat missing from our site. We can celebrate this diversity in species and introduce local indigenous species back to the site to create a vibrant, diverse and enriched landscape, to site alongside the golfing experience.

“REVEAL”

Over time, tree canopy plantings between golf corridors have grown to an extent that overly isolates, in some cases, one golf hole from the next. As the tree canopies increased in density, sunlight has been limited to the understorey and in turn creating very little diversity in vegetative species at ground level.

With selective tree pruning and maintenance and removal of non-indigenous and other selected trees, we seek to reveal views across the site’s natural dunescape topography, views to adjacent golf holes and beyond to create an experience of spaciousness, revealing the scale and inherent features of the site. Finally, to reveal the understorey to sunlight which is intended to allow ground plane vegetation to thrive.

“ESTABLISH”

Establish exclusively, local indigenous plantings across the entire property. From small sparse species in the 2nd cut of rough, alongside golf, to the completely revegetated out of play areas and the extended and enhanced adjacent remnant areas.

The rehabilitation /restoration of the landscape to the property (surrounding the golf playing surface) over a number of years – to a fully indigenous landscape that contrasts, but also compliments the golfing experience at Cottesloe Golf Club.

SAVE & REDUCE WATER USAGE

Building upon our commitment to reduce water usage by 10% over 10 years, the Vegetation Masterplan seeks to implement practices that facilitate a further reduction in water usage across the property.

As the average rainfall in Perth is approx 790mm p/yr with a large portion between May and August, it is sensible to use irrigation water where and when it is needed most.

Reduce irrigation to areas not specifically maintained as necessary high quality playing surfaces.
Reduce extent of unnecessary ‘greenness’ to the property.

INCREASE BIODIVERSITY IN GOLF COURSE ENVIRONMENT

While the existing property is rich with local indigenous flora and fauna, there is great opportunity to substantially increase the biodiversity values of the property through the Masterplan.

Maximise planting species diversity in high profile areas.
Nesting boxes to attract/retain local wildlife species.
Larger areas of diverse, indigenous planting.
Manage water bodies to encourage aquatic species (flora and fauna) to diversify.

REVEGETATE INDIGENOUS SPECIES & PROVIDE FOR LOCAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Move toward a program of revegetation of the entire property with local indigenous species, inherently of the site.

Employ a full time Horticultural Team to implement and manage the revegetation program.
Engage with local education providers to allow for practical learning experiences within golf club projects.
Engage with members to allow participation with the program.
Allow for indigenous species germination, with cultural burning practices.
Establish an on site indigenous plant nursery to propagate on site species.
Build an on site seed collection program.

FORM COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATE WITH KEY AGENCIES

Investigate and form key partnerships within the local community and well as key agencies to collaborate with across the lifespan of the project, including:

City of Nedlands
BGPA – Botanical Garden & Parks Authority
APACE Nursery
Crafter + Mogford
Graham Marsh Golf Design
Local interested community groups

FOSTER AWARENESS & APPRECIATION OF WA LOCAL INDIGENOUS FLORA

Publicise and communicate ongoing landscape implementation across the property, with the membership, as well as externally to make visible and embrace the landscape features of the site.

Create a strategic documentation program of the landscape masterplan process to share.
Allow participation in the project under guidance from Horticultural Team.
Establish a “Friends of CGC Landscape” or similar to enhance the vision of more than being just a golf club.
Provide inclusive opportunities to celebrate landscape milestones.

Overview of Plan

The below image illustrates an overview of the property where the planned changes will occur. Click to enlarge.

Example of works

Two holes have been selected to provide an illustrative representation of proposed changes under the Vegetation Masterplan, hole 3 and hole 14, see below.