COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, April 15, 2019

MOTION NO. 7

MOTION: Councillor B. Leech

That this Area Committee calls on the Council to reconsider its position on the culverting of the Whitestown Stream between Cloonmore Road and the N81. This section of the Stream has now become an open sewer with domestic waste, stable waste, drug paraphanalia and stolen cars. It would mean the removal of what has become the most vandalised bridge in South Dublin and in its place we could have a fenced in tree lined linear park that could really enhance a community space between the estates of Cloonmore, Dromcarra and Bawnlea. 

REPORT:

As this area has previously been prone to flooding and works have been carried out here in this regard, culverting this section of the stream could raise the flood risk. A Section 50 approval would also be required from the OPW. The European environmental trend is to keep waterways open and to re-open enclosed waterways where possible. With regard to the flooding and Environmental reasons above we would not recommend capping/culverting the Whitestown Stream. 

An accurate cost for any culverting work would require design of the solution required. Culverts also require Section 50 approval from the OPW. Section 50 approvals assess proposed works to waterbodies from a flooding impact point of view. Without a proposed design for a culvert it is difficult to estimate a cost. A very rough estimate for a culvert would be in the region of €400,000.

Works on the development of a park would be an extra cost above this and would vary considerably depending on the quantity of earth moving and hard landscape required.

The Council intends to make application under the DCCAE's Anti Dumping Fund for a scheme to examine the issue of illegal dumping in the Whitestown Stream along the sections adjacent to Bawnlea, Cloonmore, Drumcarra, Kilclare, Killinarden and Knockmore estates.  Typically the dumping consists largely of household waste, electrical goods, bikes, buggies etc. The proposed project will consist of a clean up of the stream and an intensive investigation/monitoring of household waste collection within the immediate area to identify the sources of the dumping.  The household waste collection investigation will be a pilot scheme that is hoped could be rolled out in other areas of the county.  The area will also be examined to determine what measures can be put in place to prevent access to the areas adjacent to the stream by stolen cars.  In many places the boundary between the housing estates and the areas adjacent to the stream is a low stub wall which is not sufficient to prevent access, this matter will be examined to determine how this boundary can be improved.  The works which are necessary to achieve this can be considered for inclusion in a programme of works to be funded in next year's budget.