COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

That the Manager would present a report on projects being implemented / supported by the Council to study and implement measures to preserve / enhance bio-diversity , and industrial history in Waterstown Park, Palmerston, and its environs.

REPORT:

Management works in Waterstown Park are carried out based on the recommendations of the 2008 biodiversity study by Dr Mary Tubridy.  Much of this work continues from year to year such as managing the grasslands, general maintenance and encouraging community participation. 

In 2010 a biodiversity action plan was formulated to ensure more of the long term management objectives in the park were progressed.  Parks staff started a program of removing non native trees near the Millrace.  This work was continued in 2011 but the main priorities for 2011 were further research into biodiversity in the park, removal of invasive species, hedgerow management and clearing of the Millrace.

The BioBlitz in May 2011 offered the opportunity for further research into biodiversity in the park.  This survey gave staff the opportunity to review the management practices and consider what effect they were having on biodiversity in the park.  As previously reported 687 species were recorded in the park during the BioBlitz which is equivalent to 10.60 species per hectare.  This far exceeded what was previously known to exist based on the 2 year study carried out from 2005-2007 and indicates that the park is becoming progressively more biologically diverse. 

A recording and mapping exercise was also carried out on the extent of Japanese Knotweed in the park.  This is a highly invasive plant species which poses a threat to local biodiversity.  Staff working in this area attended a training workshop on dealing with this problem and a programme of treatment has now been formulated and will take place over the next few years.  Records on the spread of the plant and efforts to eradicate it will be maintained in the park depot and the plants will be treated with herbicide up to 3 times a year. It is expected to see the spread of this plant in the park halted with the next year.

The first steps in managing the Millrace for biodiversity were undertaken in early May following a consultation process.  The major issue in managing the Millrace is to get the balance right between plant life and open water. The Millrace has become overgrown with reduced light levels resulting in a local decline in biodiversity.  The excessive shading from trees and scrub also prevents park visitors from accessing the Millrace.  It is proposed to start removing vegetation in and along the Millrace to improve the situation.

In May, Waterstown Park hosted the first ‘Craic Assault Course Race’.  Before it could take place, sections of the Millrace had to be cleaned to allow access for the competitors.  The work coincided with the biodiversity objectives and it was possible to work in partnership with the race organiser who made a financial contribution towards the cost. Care was taken to leave all the material removed from the Millrace along the banks so that invertebrates removed during the process could return to the water. The work was very successful as evidenced by the large numbers of fish which can be seen regularly in the Millrace.  It is hoped to continue this work in stages over the next few years. 

2011 also saw work begin on a hedgerow management plan.  There were two talks organised in the park on hedgerow management.  The first was by the County Heritage Officer, who advised on managing for biodiversity, and another talk was given by the Chairman of the Irish Hedgelayers Association.  A number of staff from the area also received training in hedgelaying.  Following on from this, work on a hedgerow management plan has begun and there are plans to plant a new native hedgerow in the park in early 2012.  This will protect an area vulnerable to human encroachment and will also connect with an existing hedgerow thus providing several wildlife benefits.

As well as the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in Waterstown there is an objective to inform and educate people about what a valuable resource it is.  To this end there were several events held throughout the year.  In April the park hosted a number of workshops as part of ECO Week. These were run by Eco Unesco and were entitled Nature Studies For Young People.

For the second year the Palmerstown Active Retired Association celebrated the Bealtaine Festival with a day in the park.  In appreciation of their contribution and support for the park, a tree planting ceremony was arranged which was well attended.

In conjunction with the BioBlitz there were several public events to highlight the biodiversity in the park including nature walks, bat walk and a dawn chorus event. 

In 2012 the biodiversity priorities are to progress the hedgerow management plan, continue the removal of invasive species and clear another section of the Millrace.  Visitors to the park will also be able to complete the full circuit of the park once the 3rd Millrace Bridge is completed.  It is expected that this will be installed by early summer 2012. 

Under the Heritage Plan, funding has been sought for a desk-top Industrial Heritage Survey of the County which will include the industrial heritage legacy of Palmerston and its environs.  While historical information on industrial features throughout the county as a whole will be collated and presented, it is also proposed that condition assessments will be undertaken for any industrial heritage properties under the ownership of SDCC.  As the mill race in Waterstown Park would be viewed as such, the condition assessment for this feature will provide essential information to inform any future biodiversity measures in the mill race.