COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"In light of the SDCC Corporate Plan and its expressed aim of maximising our natural resources/tourism and community use potential, does SDCC have a position regarding the development and management of the facility that is Corkagh Park Fisheries?  Also the ETB are also wondering what the current position is with the fishing pond in Corkagh Park. (They would be very interested in organising fishing days there if it was stocked.) Also the opportunities for people with a disability to use the facility.  We ask that a full report be brought to the Area committee for discussion."

REPORT:

The 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.

In recent years the Council has been examining its options, which are varied, in relation to the operations at the Corkagh Park fishing lakes.

BK Golf Management Ltd are managing the facility for some time, on a voluntary basis, in line with the Camac Valley Licence Agreement, at the requirement of South Dublin County Council following the outcome of a failed tender process specific to the Fishery operation.

Consideration and discussions on potential options for operation of the facility, (including with Elected Members and potential interested parties) have been extensive. In more recent times 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.

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.

The findings and costings for the deliverables of the recommended elements of the report referred to above includes for a further more comprehensive study on the potential of lakes and angling in Corkagh Park, and this is currently being pursued.

In the meantime, there will be no immediate change to the current operations at Corkagh Fishery, which was recently restocked with some 1,200 fish.  General maintenance and repair works will be undertaken to allow for the continued safe use in its current format.