COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

QUESTION NO.  10

QUESTION: Councillor M. Ward

“To ask the Chief Executive to provide an update on the plans for the future development of the Corkagh Park fishing lakes including an update report of the tender process specific to the Fishery operation.”

REPLY:

By way of background:  The development of Corkagh Fishery arose initially from the development of a flood attenuation scheme on the River Camac following significant flooding in Clondalkin Village in the late 1990's / early 2000's. Following construction of the flood attenuation ponds, an opportunity to develop a put and take fishing facility as an amenity concession in Corkagh Park was developed and opened in 2004.

Management of facility:   In recent years the Council has been examining its options in relation to the operations at the Corkagh Park fishing lakes.

BK Golf Management Ltd has been managing the Fishery since April 2013, on a voluntary basis in line with the Camac Valley Licence Agreement,  at the requirement of South Dublin County Council pending the outcome of a tender process specific to the Fishery operation.   A management concession for the facility was tendered in November 2013.  However that process proved unsuccessful as no submissions were received.

As a result, in late 2015 / early 2016 following consideration of various discussions on potential options for operation of the facility, (including with Elected Members and potentially interested parties), the Council considered reissue of a tender opportunity for the management and operation of the Fishery with a particular focus on community linkages and previous experience in managing community based fishing facilities or other similar facilities on a not for profit basis.

Potential of facility: Notwithstanding the above, in the intervening period, having regard to the Council's ambition to develop the offerings at Corkagh Park (as a whole) in order to attract national and international visitors to the area, and to support the growth and development of tourism in the area, the Council commissioned an options and feasibility report for the further development of the tourism potential of Corkagh Park.

Current findings: The findings and costings for the deliverables of the recommended elements of the report referred to above, which includes for further study on the potential development of lakes and angling in Corkagh Park as Phase 1 of the rollout of recommendations, has just been received and are currently being considered.