Sustainability

Sustainability – Environmental Work Practices

Since 1995, Greenacres Turf Farm is a leader in the practical application of innovative turf farming techniques. The owners and founders, Adrian and Peter Pitsikas, are dedicated to maintaining the farm using an Environmentally Sustainable Management approach to turf production. Together, they have over 40 years of experience in Turf Farming Practices. Their experience as well as UWA Turf Research trial work, has confirmed that appropriate fertiliser use and choice of species leads to efficient use of water and nutrients.

Greenacres Turf Farm are committed to:

• Sustainable Management
• Best Management Practices
• Research and Development
• Providing benefits to the community
• Liaising with stake holders
• Operating within guidelines and conditions to which they are subject

Greenacres Turf Farm environmental and sustainability record is impressive in terms of turf production techniques, these include at our Serpentine site (95Ha):

• Superficial water abstraction and capture of drainage water from the peel main drains by building a 4Ha push pull compensating basin and wetland capture system, which minimises nutrient losses and capture surface water flows
• Irrigation efficiencies using state of the art low pressure, low energy centre pivots and lateral irrigators
• Implementation of revegetation planting program and creation of wildlife corridor for native species of birds and reptiles
• A 50 KW solar system enables our office, pump station and workshop to operate off grid

As a part of our commitment to Sustainable Environmental Management Strategies, Greenacres was directly involved with the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the Dirk Brook Catchment Management Program. Greenacres Turf Farm is committed to maintaining any native bush land areas on the property and the project included planting 10,000 native seedlings to create wildlife corridors and the creation of artificial wetlands.

Greenacres Turf Farm constructed the artificial wetland in order to maximise the utilisation of nutrient enriched drainage water, which would otherwise be contributing to the Peel Harvey nutrient loading. Greenacres is also committed to Best Management Practice in revegetation and land management of the surrounding area.

Greenacres Turf Farm recognised the need for an innovative approach to the Best Management Practices to be able to realise environmental and economic benefits.

There are 15 existing superficial bores on the farm. These bores assist in preventing lateral leaching in the subsoil and therefore assist in intercepting nutrient losses. The construction of the artificial wetland has greatly reduced reliance on the superficial bores.

Greenacres uses this efficient water recycling system with all our irrigation treatments, using the recycled water via the lateral move irrigator and pump stations. Our WACA Approved specialised Turf Washer even uses recycled water.

Greenacres Turf Farm Best Management Practice is to be committed to improving soil with amendments to increase production efficiency and reduce nutrient outputs. We are also committed to ensuring farm practices are tested and will not jeopardise the longevity of the site. Greenacres is committed to pursuing the most innovative and efficient techniques available to improve soil capabilities. This includes working closely with scientific institutions such as the University of Western Australia and other tertiary institutions.

Greenacres Turf Group is very environmentally conscious – reducing, reusing and recycling
where practically possible. Greenacres has Waste Management Strategies which include delivery of materials “as needed” to avoid wastage of spoiled materials. We also avoid over-ordering materials. Disposal of any excess is to an approved site, ensuring that waste storage facilities are located appropriately and do not impact negatively on the streetscape. We will also ensure that waste can be effectively collected and managed.

The following site-specific Waste Management Strategies will be adopted by Greenacres Turf Group:

• A convenient access for waste collection will be provided
• Adequate space will be provided from the street level for a collection vehicle to drive to any dumpster/bulk bins required for site
• Following completion of works, the site will be inspected and any waste removed
• Delivery of material will be programmed to minimise storage time on site
• On-going checks will be carried out to ensure correct separation and re-use of recyclable materials is being maintained with waste being sorted as to have minimal impact on the environment and where waste can be utilised on site again, will be stored in a nominated area where it cannot be damaged

Sustainability – Zero Waste

Greenacres has always been at the leading edge of utilising organic waste within Peel Harvey and converting by products into usable forms of organic fertilising. This includes conditioning chicken manure and green waste.

The green waste is produced during normal turf production cycles of turf rolls (jumbos and standards rolls) as well as turf renovation treatments and turf clipping capture. By adding localised hay bails with the green waste, an ideal compost by product is produced and utilised on the production fields after harvest is completed as slow release fertiliser.

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  Start of the composting process

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  Compost production at our Serpentine Farm

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  Compost ready for applying on farm production areas

Please see below hyperlinks to videos demonstrating our in-house composting process:

Greenacres utilises, where possible, low emissions and fuel efficient vehicles, plant and equipment and currently have 4 Tractors, 2 Robotic Harvesters, 1 Prime Mover and 2 late model utes which complies with Tier 4 Euro 3 Emission Standards. Staff are trained in energy saving practices by turning off machinery when not in use.