Following the introduction of Australia’s first green mean machine ride on mower at Brighton Health Campus in 2022, the facility gardeners have taken the next step and gone totally and sustainably green.
Metro North Health Sustainable Assets and Infrastructure Executive Director David Walker said the Community and Oral Health gardening team has fully converted to electric garden equipment, vehicles and recharging infrastructure.
“The team has farewelled petrol-powered equipment and is embracing the rechargeable and battery-powered way of life,” he said.
“As part of their green upgrades they have welcomed a new electric buggy called ‘Raptor’, an additional electric ride-on mower called ‘Oscar’, and they are now using an ecomax 100 push sweeper for blowing leaves on paths and in car parks.
“In addition, the team is using an arsenal of green equipment such as electrical whipper snippers, push mowers, pole trimmers, chainsaws and edgers.”
Brighton Health Campus has also welcomed improved electrical infrastructure with four new charging stations located in the gardener’s warehouse to keep their mowers, buggy and push sweeper ready to go at all times.
Gardners Joey and Ronnie both agreed that the transformation to green power will reduce emissions and create a quieter green space for the residents and patients on campus.
“This is very important as the Brighton Health Campus sits on 10.33 hectares and is the ideal place and home for residential aged care, disability and rehabilitation services and facilities,” they said.
The Brighton gardening transition is part of the Green Metro North – Sustainability Strategy 2021-2026, which represents Metro North Health’s commitment to take action towards environmental sustainability and delivery of high-quality health services for the community and future generations.
Ronnie said the centre piece of the green transformation was ‘Kirmie’ a fully electric 74-inch Ecoteq green ride on mower that includes a 2×100 watt solar panel roof and an attachable electric leaf blower pack.
“Kirmie features military grade Tweel wheels to stop flat tyres, a roof fan for the driver, front / rear flashing hazard lights, front and rear charging ports and a tow hitch just in case you have the urge to drag a few things around,” he said.
The electric mower by itself reduces five tonnes of carbon per year saves approximately 75 litres of diesel each week.
The electric leaf blower on the front of the mower also reduces the hours that the gardeners take to manually blow leaves and grass from Brighton paths
