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Relocation News Archive
Relocation News
April 10 2007
The Board is pleased to provide the following update.
EarlyWorks
The EarlyWorks contract with Grove Construction is nearing completion.The main entry road has been levelled and a road base applied.The side battering and top soiling has been completed so that the landscaping can commence. The clubhouse car park has also been completed to the same level and landscaping around it could commence from any time now. The maintenance facility compound has been completed from an early works perspective and JWB Buildings are now on site preparing to commence construction of the maintenance shed. The clubhouse bench has been completed and is now awaiting the commencement of construction. The golf cart store below the Golf Shop has been excavated. Maintenance Facility JWB Buildings are now on site and preliminary works have commenced. The anticipated construction time is 4 to 6 months depending upon weather. Golf Course Grove is well in to construction with 3 holes nearing completion. Ross Watson has been on site working with Grove and shaper Ben Chambers fine tuning greens, tees and bunkers. Drainage and irrigation are currently being installed on these holes and grassing will soon follow.Although it was hoped to have these 3 fairways sprigged prior to winter this has not been possible.These 3 fairways along with others will be sprigged in early spring. Hydro-seeding of greens, surrounds and roughs will continue unhindered as these are cool season grasses which will cope in winter like conditions.
Clubhouse
6 companies tendered for the clubhouse construction.These tenders have been reviewed over the past two weeks and a short list has been created. Given that negotiations are well underway it is not appropriate to discuss pricing at this stage. Once a builder has been awarded the contract the Board will announce the appointment and any other relevant information.The approximate time for construction is 10 to 11 months.
Water
Fortunately, to date the project has not been delayed by water which is essential for dust suppression and irrigation.Temporary water rights have been leased from the Yarra and these rights have proved invaluable.The longer term prospects are also looking good with additional storage on site now planned as well as the signing of an agreement in principal with Yarra Valley Water to supply recycled water to the site.This major project which will be fully funded byYarra ValleyWater will commence during 2007 with a completion date sometime in 2008.
Walnuts
Site establishment in the largest walnut grove is well underway. Soil test results are being analysed before the topsoil is spread back over the site to a depth of 300mm to 400mm.The next step will be the installation of the irrigation system and the tree stock (initially 4000 trees) will arrive for planting in August/September this year.
Relocation News - Tom White, President
March 10 2007
Progress on the new site has been moving along at a steady pace with the early works program almost complete. The driveway has been cut in and graveled, benching for the maintenance facility and club house are complete and the car park excavation is complete and the initial gravel base is being applied. The 38 Megalitre dam is completed and is now full and the irrigation pump should be installed in the coming week, we have leased water rights from the Yarra for 3 years to ensure our grass grow in can proceed and an agreement in principle for the supply of recycled water from Yarra Valley Water has been reached.
Extensive earth moving has been has been ongoing with the stripping and stock piling of top soil. Stage 3 of the new course which is holes 6, 7 & 8 is well under way with tees, greens, bunkers and fairways roughly formed with fine shaping to commence Tuesday 13th. The main irrigation pipe from the dam is well under way and the irrigation of Stage 3 will progress as planned.
The contract for the maintenance facility has been let and work is scheduled to start in the next ten days.
Tenders for the club house have closed and a decision on the successful tender will be made once we have fine tuned each submission.
We are pleased to say the project is progressing well and with regular liaison between all concerned any issues arising are dealt with in a very professional and timely manner.
Members have asked when can they visit the site. Unfortunately due to health and safety regulations site visits have to be appropriately organized and with this in mind the Board and Management are planning an open day in mid to late April.
Now that things are really moving we will endeavor to update the members on a regular basis.
Tom White
President
Grove begin work on holes 6, 7 & 8!
Friday, January 19, 2007 - 10:29 PM
Grove Construction have made significant progress since returning from the Christmas break last week. The entrance/driveway has been extended beyond the maintenance facility site and is fast approaching the site of the Clubhouse. Work on the car park is also well under way.
Dam 30% Full as works continue
December 28, 2006
Major works have slowed down at Coowerp over Christmas and New Year but there is still plenty of activity to report on. The dam has now been completed and water is being pumped in to the dam from the Yarra River.
As of this morning the dam was already approximately 2 metres deep which equates to around 30% capacity. It is expected that by the time Grove return from leave the dam will be full allowing the course works to progress as scheduled.
Grove's first team will be back on site by 8 January completing early works with the full compliment there from 15 January onwards to commence work on the course proper.
The site is now fully secured with external fencing complete and gates padlocked.
Tender documents for the clubhouse construction are all but complete and we will be going to tender mid January. Work on interior design has begun.
The Board have established working groups that have commenced work on transitional issues. These groups cover aspects of the club/relcoation such as finance/planning, golf and heritage.
Work is well and truly underway at Coowerp!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Grove Construction have been on site for 3 weeks now with significant in roads made in to the dam construction. The 38 megalite dam will take around 3 more weeks to complete at which stage water will be added to seal the dam liner.
Other works underway include the new driveway/entrance off Victoria Road and preliminary excavation of the clubhouse/maintenance facility benches. Otter Fencing are on site with old external fencing being removed and replaced with new chain mesh fencing. This job will take up to 4 weeks to complete. Electrical contractors are on site at present removing power lines/poles prior to major earthworks commencing on site. Tender interviews with golf course construction companies have been undertaken with irrigation tenderers to be interviewed next Wednesday evening. Once completed the Board will make their decisions with the contracts being awarded shortly after. It is anticipated that the golf course construction could commence within 2 weeks.
Stay tuned for more announcements next week!
Water
Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Club through the assistance of Melbourne Water has secured water rights for the full requirement of the grow-in period within budget.
Further to this the Club is working with Yarra Valley water to secure recycled water for the long-term and has received positive feedback about Government grants for infrastructure.
Relocation Progress Report
October 12, 2006 - 08:58 AM
Michael and Simon from Demaine have been working with the club on finalising the Clubhouse Brief. This document covers the requirements of the Club within the design so that it can be fine tuned to accomodate our current and future needs.
Once completed the Brief will be expressed in the internal design allowing for maximum functionality. The final design will be displayed for members as soon as it is completed.
Coowerp
Thursday, October 12, 2006
The Club took possession of Coowerp in April 2006. SInce then the Club through the work of Gary Bass have maintained the site and ensured its security. Work on the site has commenced with over 9km's of internal farm fencing being removed. Outbuildings and the derelict farm house will also be demolished.
The first round of spraying existing weeds and grasses has been completed. This was shortly followed by paddock slashing to keep the property presentable. After a period of time a secondary spray will be undertaken to kill any regrowth and then the property will lie dormant until excavation works commence.