Writes Leo McMahon
There was full support for a motion from Cllr Ben Dalton-O’Sullivan (Ind) at the monthly meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD) calling on Failte Ireland to brief MD members on the recently announced Cork Harbour Tourism Plan.
‘The harbour is the best asset we have for tourism and business and the MD needs to have a briefing and an input,’ he stated, adding, ‘we need to work together on this’.
In support, an cathaoirleach Cllr Audrey Buckley (FF) said it was important for the MD to be fully involved in a plan which needed, among other things, to develop water amenities in the harbour and to establish which body owned what.
Seconding the motion, Cllr Jack White (FG) said the plan would be a once in a generation chance to develop tourism offerings in all parts of the harbour. He and Cllr Una McCarthy (FG) had already hosted community engagement meetings in the area to do with this so there was need for a briefing to the MD and a channel of ongoing communication.
In support, Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Ind) said it was essential. ‘Cork Harbour was the reason I got elected and ten years ago, I called for a Local Area Plan’. The Harbour, she continued covered parts of three MDs plus the city as well being under the jurisdiction of the Port of Cork. She recalled a study being undertaken by University College Cork in 2008 but the funding ran out. It was now critical that the MD was part of the proposed tourism plan.
MD officer Denise Kidney reported that Failte Ireland (FI) announced in February its intention to develop a new plan. ‘External consultants have been appointed by FI to draft it. The intention is that these consultants will engage with all stakeholders, including elected members’.
Senior executive officer Maurice Murphy informed members that he, along with other council officials, recently attended a think tank workshop in Fota about who should be involved in the plan and assured them that it was agreed that elected members should be involved. Information was being gathered and a renowned international consultant was being recruited who would be reaching out to stakeholders.
Noting the point from Cllr Buckley, he said there was a lot of complexities which would have to be dealt with through the planning process involving various stakeholders but added, ‘it will happen’. The motion was adopted.
Industries Link
Cllr McGrath asked if the MD had any ongoing contact with the industries in the Ringaskiddy area and if there was still a group representing all of these.
He said he was particularly concerned on behalf of residents having to endure the heavy volume of traffic to and from factories and the impact of works on the M28 on local roads at Coolmore, Ballyorban, Hilltown, Raffeen Hill and other places where problems included speeding.
The engineer replied that she wasn’t aware of any specific group in place at present but there was contact with the industries from various council departments and the area office was able get in touch when required.
Cllr D’Alton said a group representing the industries still existed and usually met with Ringaskiddy Residents’ Association twice a year. She agreed with Cllr McGrath that it would be a good idea for the MD to meet with the group to which the SEO replied that this could be done if contact details were provided.
Ms Kidney reported that detailed design was ongoing for the M28 Active Travel Project and extended Ringaskiddy Public Realm Enhancement Scheme following public consultation and it was hoped to present plans to MD members in May or June.
Harbour Scheme
Cllr D’Alton had a motion asking the council to explain the future implications and arrangements for management of public spaces recently transferred to Uisce Eireann (UE) by compulsory purchase order for access and control of infrastructure associated with the completed Lower Harbour Main Drainage Scheme.
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