13/08/2026
From Tunnel to Turf: NorthConnex and Pennant Hills Golf Club Celebrate Landmark Water Recycling Partnership
Federal and state dignitaries joined Members, project partners and community representatives on Friday, 24 July 2026 to officially launch our recycled water partnership with NorthConnex. The event, held under the banner “From Tunnel to Turf,” began at the NorthConnex facility on Eaton Road, where NorthConnex Manager Thomas Burke welcomed the official party. Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra, performed the official ribbon cutting, formally marking the completion of infrastructure that channels recycled water from the NorthConnex tunnel to irrigate the Club’s golf course. Guests then travelled to the Club for lunch and a series of formal addresses.
Our Club President Michael Rowan, warmly welcomed everyone to the event and provided background that culminates with this event. Warren Waddell, Mayor of Hornsby, spoke to the environmental significance of the project, noting the Club’s shift from ranking among the top 50 water users in New South Wales to the current set up and framed the achievement as a model of what business, government and community can accomplish working together with the support of Hornsby Council. Monica Tudehope MP, Member for Epping, congratulated the Club and NorthConnex on receiving the ClubsNSW Sustainable Future Award, placing the recognition in the context of clubs’ broader role as community institutions leading on sustainability and acknowledged the support of the Community Building Partnership Program. Mr Leeser reflected on NorthConnex and the NorthWestern Roads Group as a model of big business supporting local community and described the project as the product of years of community ambition met with patience and collaboration. Closing the formal proceedings, The President delivered a vote of thanks to NorthConnex and Thomas Burke, Julian Leeser MP, Monica Tudehope MP and the NSW Government, Hornsby Council, MAK Water and Conexa for their roles in bringing the project to life, and paid tribute to the Club’s past and present Directors for their long-standing contribution to the Club and to ensuring this project was brought to life.
The “From Tunnel to Turf” project stands as a rare example of major infrastructure delivering a direct, lasting community benefit. What began decades ago as an ambition within our Club has, through sustained collaboration, become a working model of sustainability now recognised at state level.
