Epar

07/05/2025

Innovation on the Fairways: Ranfurlie Golf Club Leading by Example.

Superintendent Andrew Anderson is setting a powerful example of tech-savvy, future-proof golf course management at Ranfurlie Golf Club - delivering meaningful results across energy, efficiency, water, safety, biodiversity, and climate action.

We're proud to be showcasing Andrew’s sustainability achievements through the epar SMART Map, where each initiative is being mapped to be made visible for the community and industry to learn from and celebrate.

Among the many standout initiatives, the club’s autonomous mower is already in full swing helping to cut emissions, improve safety, save time and operational costs, and enabling round-the-clock precision turf care.

This is a great example of what forward-thinking, digitally enabled sustainability looks like in golf. Congratulations to Andrew and the Ranfurlie team for showing that climate action and course excellence are essential partners. This is golf evolving with purpose.

23/04/2025

Sustainability, Innovation, and Climate Action on the Fairways

It’s been an amazing few weeks mapping and preparing to showcase more of the impressive sustainability and climate action initiatives happening on golf courses across the country.

What we’re seeing is a transformation. Golf clubs are emerging as climate-smart community assets, blending innovation, tradition, and environmental stewardship in ways that go far beyond the fairway.

Here’s just a glimpse of what’s being captured on the epar SMART Sustainability Map:

· Migratory longfin eels navigating inland waterways from New Caledonia and making golf courses their home.

· A floating raft of solar panels generating clean energy on a course dam.

· Effluent reuse systems irrigating fairways and reducing water demand.

· Autonomous mowing equipment boosting efficiency and reducing emissions.

· 300-year-old heritage-protected River Red Gums preserved within course design.

· A 100-kW solar panel system powering course infrastructure.

· Stormwater harvesting systems turning rainfall into valuable irrigation.

· Gender-neutral tees making the game more inclusive for all.

· Safer, more secure and compliant workplaces.

· Lightning shelters and weather shock resilience programs.

· State-of-the-art irrigation systems maximising water efficiency and precision.

· Community walking trails welcoming walkers, runners, and families which are redefining golf as shared green space.

· Drought Emergency Risk Plans.

· The greening of turf management fleets.

· Hospitality operations reducing waste and increasing recycling & reuse.

· Solar panels powering car park lighting, improving energy efficiency and on-site security.

· Habitat protection and restoration.

Australia’s golf clubs are becoming living examples of how sport can serve people, planet, and purpose. We're proud to be mapping this progress and we can't wait to share more through the SMART Map and make visible the work that often goes unnoticed but matters more than ever.

Stay tuned because this is what the future of golf looks like.

21/03/2025

On this United Nations International Day of Forests, epar is proud to welcome Seven Generations Forestry to the SMART Sustainability Mapping Program.

This important day serves as a global reminder of our collective responsibility to protect, restore, and sustainably manage forest ecosystems for the benefit of people, communities, and the planet. It is also a fitting opportunity to acknowledge the impactful and visionary work of Seven Generations Forestry.

epar is privileged to begin mapping their sustainability, climate action, and SDG-aligned initiatives into the SMART Map platform—starting with a 2-hectare parcel on their 80-hectare property known as Mill Green.

Once a cleared cattle pasture, Mill Green has been carefully regenerated into a thriving natural habitat. The restoration work includes the rehabilitation of riparian zones, enhancement of endemic vegetation, protection of water quality, and preservation of biodiversity. These efforts align strongly with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
SDG 15 – Life on Land

As the world comes together to recognise the vital role of forests in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and building resilient communities, the work of Seven Generations Forestry stands as a powerful example of regenerative land stewardship in action.

26/02/2025

Northbridge Golf Club: Where Climate Action, Community, and Creativity Thrive!

Kudos to Superintendent Luke Diserens and General Manager Brett Parker at Northbridge Golf Club for their outstanding commitment to sustainability, climate action, and meaningful community engagement.

Their efforts are redefining what it means to be a truly sustainable and community-focussed golf club. At Northbridge, it’s not just about preserving green space or just “accommodating” nature - it’s about creating spaces that help protect the planet, nurture community, and inspire creativity.

We’re also thrilled to officially welcome Luke as an epar Sustainability Mapper! Through the use of the epar Digital SMART Map, Luke has been meticulously logging and mapping his ESG efforts, making them visible, measurable, and an inspiration for others to follow. Here's a peek at some of the club's initiatives:

Energy Efficiency — reducing the club’s carbon footprint.

Heritage Conservation — documenting and protecting the unique local landscape and history.

Water Quality Protection Zones — safeguarding vital waterways & ecosystems.

Water Conservation — promoting responsible water use.

Spray Exclusion Zones — ensuring the health of local flora, fauna, and the community.

Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — turning global goals into local action.

A welcoming Men’s Shed — fostering community connection and mental wellbeing.

Walking Trails — inviting the community to connect with nature beyond the fairways.

A strong commitment to Volunteer Safety — because people are at the heart of it all.

An inspiring Outdoor Poem-Making Area — blending nature with community and creativity.

Congratulations to Luke, Brett, and the entire Northbridge team for demonstrating that your organisation is so much more than just a golf club - it’s a vibrant hub of climate action, social connection, and even artistic expression.

07/02/2025

Golf Can’t Be Climate-Responsible! - That’s Not What I’m Seeing.

It’s a common misconception: Golf can’t be climate-responsible. But after visiting three forward-thinking golf clubs last week, I’ve seen undeniable evidence that golf is making real impact, and leading in climate action.

These three clubs are embracing incredible impact strategies and making significant contributions to their communities, their ecosystems, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We will be showcasing well over a combined 200 of their ESG impacts onto their epar Sustainability Maps and here's a snippet of some of the powerful initiatives we will be making visible:

✅ Climate Literacy & Awareness
✅ Community Partnerships
✅ Ecosystem Enhancement & Protection
✅ Environmental Stewardship
✅ Gender Equality
✅ Good Health & Well-Being
✅ Governance
✅ Sustainable Turf Management
✅ Water Quality Protection & Conservation
✅ Wildlife Protection

But here’s what truly stands out: - First, these golf clubs are far more than just sporting venues. They are proving their value as vital community assets, embedding ESG principles into their core operations, and driving environmental and social impact in ways that extend far beyond the game. And second, these clubs are not alone. They join over 100 other organisations actively engaging with the epar SMART Map, making their efforts to be climate-responsible visible.

Once their SMART Maps are complete and transitioned to the National Map of Sustainable Places, you’ll be able to read all about their incredible initiatives. Until then, just know—many golf clubs and other sporting organisations are taking climate responsibility seriously, and these clubs are leading the way.

09/12/2024

Devilbend Golf Club - Climate Aware and ESG Focussed

Kudos to General Manager Tim O’Sullivan, Superintendent Trevor U’Ren, and the Committee at Devilbend Golf Club for examining the risks and exploring adaption and mitigation opportunities for the club to thrive in a changing climate.

The club’s climate-ready journey began with the epar Climate Literacy Workshop, where club management, the Committee, and staff took a deep dive into the science of climate change and its implications for people, for golf, and the planet. Then, using the advanced climate simulator EN-ROADS, the workshop examined key risks under current warming scenarios, including:

🔥 Increased Wildfire Danger Days

☀️ Higher Frequency of Extreme Heat

🛠️ Outdoor Labour Losses from Extreme Heat

⚡ Energy Types and Costs

🌵 Ecosystem Shifts and Arid Expansion

🌽 Decreases in Crop Yields from Warming

🌬️ Air Pollution From Energy Types

🌦️ Shifting Weather Patterns and Ecosystems

We also challenged the club to identify actionable strategies to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement and they successfully rose to this challenge, identifying a range of impactful actions to help limit global warming to under 2°C.

The club has started utilising the epar SMART Map in readiness to make visible to all stakeholders its sustainability initiatives. Next steps will include the club’s ESG Policy and the epar Low Water Availability Response Plan showcasing the club as an efficient manager of water resources amid growing climate pressures.

Congratulations to the entire team of trailblazers at Devilbend Golf Club for setting a powerful example for clubs everywhere!

18/04/2024

Mapping and making visible the sustainability commitments at North Adelaide Golf Course, a golf club committed to exemplary environmental stewardship, climate action, and gender equality was an exhilarating experience today. Traversing the 54 holes over 3 courses was amazing as each climate smart initiative unfolded from green energy powering all operations, to meticulous waste management strategies, and habitat and vegetation conservation and enhancement. The club's proactive stance in addressing gender equality resonating with the club being a signatory to the R&A Women in Golf Charter, added a profound dimension to the sustainability and impact mapping process. This club is clearly committed to tangible action towards sustainability, climate action, and inclusivity.

17/04/2024

Thank you SEA for another amazing summit. It was so inspiring being in a room full of changemakers making real impact in sport.

21/03/2024

Track, visualise, and turn your sustainability initiatives into compelling stories, educating and inspiring others along the way.

21/03/2024

22/02/2024

Congratulations Buninyong Golf Club. Behind this amazing cluster of sustainability indicators is the Buninyong golf course. Managed by first-time Superintendent Timothy Cates and an amazing committee, the course is elevating stewardship and setting a new standard for sustainability and climate action in golf. One of the many wildlife features captured in the club's sustainability map is a koala that was observed in a forested corridor near the 14th tee. A Koala hasn't been seen in the area in 15 years! Tim and the team at Buninyong are not just managing the course – they're making real impact, building their social licence to operate, and transforming it into a model of golf course sustainability. Congratulations.

27/11/2023

760,000 hazards and compliance communications in 2023!

Today we have posted our last Monthly Compliance Diary Tips for the year. In 2023, our electronic and hardcopy EHS diary has delivered over 760,000 hazard and compliance communications across the epar client family. This achievement marks a new record for us in our 21st year.

Some tips for December include - Rules for your Christmas function; Mental health at work; Workplace bullying; Harassment in the workplace; Discrimination; Psychosocial hazards; Sun protection; Workplace gossip, and many more.

We want to thank every epar client for being part of this journey, and here's to many more milestones in the future!