COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, February 24, 2020
QUESTION NO. 11
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the Chief Executive to present a further update on his dealings in respect of the Wetlands at Sean Walsh Park and will he make a statement?
REPLY:In 2019 the Council engaged a consultant ecologist to assist in carrying out a detailed examination of the site south of the ponds at Sean Walsh Memorial Park. This work included carrying out ecological services for the surrounding areas of ponds and grasslands as well as the site in question, ecological surveys and providing advice and assessment in relation to the rehabilitation of a habitat and potential to encourage re-colonisation of the area.
This report was completed and forwarded to the National Parks and Wildlife Services for review. Below sets out the draft plan of works:
- Site investigations to establish depth of water table/nature of water-holding capacity on site and adjacent to site
- Drawing up of Alien Invasive Plan Species Management and Control Plan for the area
- Management and conservation plan for Mentha pulegium
- Habitat rehabilitation plan; drawing up and implementation
- Comprehensive ecological baseline survey of area and environs of the site
- Drawing up and implementation of Biodiversity and Habitat Management Plan for the survey area and environs
- Ecological Monitoring
A tender for the above services is being prepared and the topographical survey has been carried out over the winter months and is available when required.
In the interim an Internal Working Group has been set up to review current procedures in relation to in-river, stream and pond maintenance works and review existing guidelines and procedures in relation to same. The first meeting has taken place and current practices were reviewed. The Group is now assessing improvements and national guidance that should be included in SDCC procedures. Further meetings will occur in the coming weeks to finalise the SDCC procedures.
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has recently recommended SDCC carry out interim measures to create a number of small pools, just south of the existing pond, to provide additional breeding areas for the common frog. Four shallow pools have been recently excavated on the site for this purpose in early February. Small scale investigation works will also be carried out at a later date to establish the water table on the site. This will inform rehabilitation options for the site.