Melbourne Racing Club
In 2015, Green by Nature was initially approached to quote on a gardening maintenance contract for the Caulfield Racecourse. Following consultations with the Melbourne Racing Club, the scope expanded to encompass comprehensive grounds, turf, and garden maintenance across both Caulfield and Sandown Racecourses.
The ongoing maintenance scope includes overseeing all turf, grounds, and gardens across both sites, ensuring exceptional standards for approximately 60 race meetings annually. Responsibilities cover the implementation of detailed nutrition and spray programs, applied consistently across all turfed and garden areas to maintain optimal conditions year-round.
The project presented unique challenges from the outset. The annual schedule is intense and constantly changing, requiring a large number of staff for frequent race events. Staff are needed to work over half of the weekends in the year, including most public holidays.
Site and staff were subject to union regulations, leading to ongoing difficulties with staff demands and working availability. The need to utilise labour hire companies sometimes resulted in reduced skill levels and inconsistent work quality. High turnover rates and issues with weekend involvement created instability in staffing.
Innovative Solutions
Green by Nature introduced a new team with fresh perspectives to create a more positive and efficient working culture. By working alongside the MRC, we helped restructure operations, addressing previous challenges and improving team dynamics across Caulfield and Sandown Racecourses.
Sustainability Initiatives
Our approach to sustainability has been shown through our commitment to continuous improvement in operational processes. The MRC has drawn inspiration from our operation models of health, safety, environment, and quality (HSEQ) platforms and processes.
Over the past nine years, Green by Nature has built a strong, collaborative relationship with the Melbourne Racing Club, earning a positive reputation within the racing industry. The MRC frequently provides valuable insights into our business model and recommends our services to other track managers across the country, further solidifying our standing in the industry.
The partnership between Green by Nature and the Melbourne Racing Club has been crucial in overcoming challenges and driving improvements. Through a shared vision and ongoing open communication, both parties have worked closely to address any operational issues. This partnership has not only resulted in enhanced working arrangements but also in the integration of best practices in safety, efficiency, and overall operational management, benefiting both the racecourses and their teams in the long term
Community Impact
Green by Nature has made significant contributions to the racing industry and local community through race sponsorships and participation in key events. The company has supported prominent race meetings and engaged in events like the annual MRC Gala and charity sports days, reinforcing its commitment to the community and leaving a lasting impact.
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