WAT
ERFORD’S future development – economically, socially, culturally and environmentally – has been mapped out in an extensive strategy document published by the City Development Board. The Board, which is drawn up of members from Waterford City Council as well as State agencies, social partners and local development groups, has provided the blueprint for the development of Waterford City between now and 2012. Officially launching the Strategy at the Municipal Art Gallery at Greyfriars, WCDB Chairman Ald. Maurice Cummins highlighted that “the strategic planning process undertaken by the City Development Board has resulted in a Strategy, which is unprecedented at local level and presents a ‘Shared Vision’ of Waterford’s future in terms of our social, cultural, economic and environmental development. “ In looking at the future needs of Waterford City, Ald. Cummins pointed out that the development of Waterford and the region must be looked at in tandem.
“Gateway status under the National Development Plan and the National Spatial Strategy will see Waterford and its zone of influence grow significantly over the ten years covered by this document. While this growth will place additional pressures on the city, the aim of our strategy is to ensure that the city has the necessary infrastructure and resources to accommodate and manage expansion while maintaining and improving the quality of life on offer here.
“To this end, we must see improved, road, rail and air access to the city if it is to develop as a modern, vibrant, urban centre and as the economic hub of the region. We need to have the key infrastructure and services delivered. This report again identifies the provision of a motorway to Dublin, a 90 minute express train service to Dublin and investment at the both South East Regional Airport and the Port of Waterford. It has long been acknowledged that the economic performance of this region lags behind other parts of the country and as the region’s major centre of population. Waterford must show leadership and work with our partners to grow the region’s share of State funding and economic growth.”
As well as highlighting the need for infrastructural development, the Strategy looks at sustainable community living and social inclusion, education, economic development and the marketing and promotion of Waterford City. Priorities in these areas include the provision of a university in the South East to ensure a well trained and highly skilled workforce; good information technology infrastructure and marketing Waterford as desirable place for business, living and a first choice tourist destination. Speaking to Waterford News & Star, Ald. Cummins pointed out that the Department of Environment had sought the production of a ten year plan by all local authorities.
In relation to other published strategies for the region, he highlighted that Strategy South East had acknowledged the work of the Development Board drawing up their document. Ald. Cummins stressed that both groups were working towards the same target, “we are both singing from the same hymn sheet,” and that a number of parts of Strategy South East incorporated the concerns and issues highlighted by the City Development Board. In relation to funding, he pointed out that as the Board was made up of a number of State agencies and that resources from these will be channelled into the strategy’s plans. He acknowledged that due to limitations some projects would have to be prioritised and done on a phased basis.
However, Ald. Cummins stressed that the Board will push to attract further government funding, particularly in relation to infrastructure. As part of the drive for up-to-date information, Ald. Maurice Cummins expressed his delight at launching the City Development Board website www.waterford cdb.ie. “The website will allow people to have access to the research undertaken by the Board in developing the Strategy and will enable the Board to keep the wider community informed of progress in the implementation of the Strategy. Speaking at the launch, Waterford City Deputy Mayor Cha O’Neill, who is also a member of the Board, emphasised the need to assist in people’s cultural and social needs, as well as their economic needs.
“It recognised that for vibrant community living, we must have integrated planning. In planning neighbourhoods, we must address the need for social infrastructure, in tandem with commercial and residential development.” He highlighted that the Strategy supports City Council’s policies to prepare a number of Area Action Plans in areas like Knockboy and Ballytruckle/ Kilcohan in consultation with local residents, similar to the one already prepared for the Kilbarry and Ballybeg area of the city. As Chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee on Community, Social and Culture, the Deputy Mayor is confident that the City Strategy will increase participation in recreation and sport. He pointed to the development of the Regional Sports Centre to the tune of €8 million Euro; work on six acres of the Outer Ring Road as recreational and amenity facilities, as well as the provision of a skateboard park at the RSC by the City Council.
As part of the provision of leisure facilities for the people of Waterford, the Deputy Mayor hoped to see the closure of Kilbarry Dump during the lifetime of the Strategy. Not only did he wish to see more efficient waste management, but the reinstatement of the Kilbarry site to provide further amenities in the city. Cllr. O’Neill also highlighted that the City Council and Co. Council are working together to establish a Local Sports Partnership and have already received €150,000 from the Irish Sports Council and is hoped that it will be operational by the end of the summer. He added that as well as sport the Strategy, “acknowledged that arts and culture have an integral part to play in City life and will utilise art in all its forms to support the work of the Board in addressing social exclusion.
Deputy Mayor Cha O’Neill and Chairman of the WCDB, Ald. Cummins, both acknowledged the huge level of commitment and work by the Board and its staff, as well as local groups and organisation who made written submissions and the general public for their attendance at consultation meetings. Both men pointed out that due to the large level of participation by the public in the strategy gave them ownership of the strategy, as they will work towards it goals and reap its benefits. At the launch, Eamon Flynn, WCDB, thanked Ald. Cummins for all his assistance during the past two years and presented him with a painting on behalf of the board’s staff.
