Source: Pine Rivers Press (Australia)
Why is it that almost every large residential development includes a golf course? It's as if the presence of a golf course justifies the development's very existence.
Whenever developments comprise a golf course, the sales blurb extols the efforts of the developer in protecting and improving the natural environment.
Do developers really believe that conversion to golf courses makes land more valuable as wildlife habitat, or improves the water quality?
Golf course fairways and greens are mowed and kept green year round. This uses vast quantities of water and large amounts of fertilisers. Plants not wanted in lawns are controlled by use of selective herbicides. Insecticides control lawn grubs and other insects.
Most of these chemicals end up in waterways. Golf course ponds and pools are not places for native plants, fish or frogs.
Trees with hollows are pruned or removed for safety reasons. With them go many native animals that shelter or breed in hollows.
What animals live in golf courses? Animals of open areas and forest edges do native magpies, crows, noisy miners and lapwings birds common throughout the suburbs. Exotic pests also live here Indian mynas, starlings, hares and cane toads.
Golf courses do not have to remain environmental disaster areas. With judicious revegetation and changes in management practices, they could become havens for vanishing native wildlife.