COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, February 22, 2021
QUESTION NO.10
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
"To ask the Chief Executive to present an update in respect of the Wetlands at Sean Walsh Park; will he detail actions taken regarding concerns previously raised and will he make a statement"
REPLY:
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 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
In their response NPWS endorsed SDCC proceeding with the works as outlined above and also recommended our carrying 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 were excavated on the site for this purpose last year, supervised by the Local Authority Heritage Officer. These pools remain insitu. Small scale investigation works have been underway over the last number of months and are still on-going to establish the water table on the site. This will inform rehabilitation options for the site. Ecological consultants were appointed in 2020 and the above ecological surveys are currently underway.