COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor P. Cosgrave

Cathaoirleach's Business

"That the Manager  have the edges and surround of the green area at Orchardstown Drive cut back or weed killer be used to clean up this green area."

REPORT:

The cutting of open spaces such as the one at Orchardstown Drive often involves the use of two separate machines. A tractor with a large mower cuts the bulk of the clear, unobstructed open space, while a smaller machine deals with the cutting of grass on the edges of the open spaces and in and around trees and other objects such as lighting columns, poles, signs, railings etc. In ideal circumstances, both machines would start and finish on the open space on the same day. However, in reality, open space areas such as described above are not always completely cut at the same time. While every effort is made to synchronise the rotas for the two machines, in practice, a gap of several days can arise between the two machines working on the open space as the larger grass cutting equipment will move quicker than the smaller equipment.  In the current economic climate this situation has been exacerbated and there are many areas where the coordination of grass cutting is not as the Council would desire it to be.

In recent years, under normal circumstances and with a full compliment of staff and machinery, the Parks Dept. has endeavoured to have all open spaces and grassed areas under maintenance cut on a nine to ten day rota basis. This is the optimum and most cost efficient cutting frequency as it minimises vehicle breakdowns, reduces the accumulation of litter and does not generate significant amounts of grass clippings. This frequency is not always achieved due to a range of factors such as staff on leave, machinery breakdowns, weather and ground conditions and other works on hand. 

Taking into account the current economic environment and all of the constraints including those outlined above, the cutting frequency has fallen back to a level of  between twelve and fifteen days between cuts.  While this is some way off the optimum, it is a service level that the Parks Department is endeavouring to achieve in the current season within the available resources.

Notwithstanding the above, every effort is being made to allocate the resources available within the Parks Department on a prioritised basis to maximum effect, to ensure that the grass maintenance across the Rathfarnham Area is to the highest possible standard.  In this regard, priority is being given to the maintenance of playing fields to ensure that they are available for play. The grass cutting rotas for the machines working on the open space at Orchardstown Drive will be reviewed to determine if the circumstances can be improved. 

In relation to the use of chemicals, it is the policy of the Parks and Landscape Services Department and the Council to minimize the use of chemical weed control as far as possible in the interest of biodiversity enhancement.