COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, June 28, 2021

MOTION NO. 8

MOTION: Councillor K. Mahon

This Area Committee welcomes the Council's report and costings on work to the public realm at Jobstown Stream between Cloonmore, Bawnlea, Dromcarra and Gort Lar estates. We look forward to advancing the completion of the overall plan. In addition we call for the Council to match and acknowledge local efforts to improve the area by committing to include the area in current, ongoing upkeep of the public realm through the footpath programmes, public lighting programmes, pollinator and tree planting programmes that are common place in areas across South Dublin County Council despite many similar issues. It is the view of this Area Committee that the lack of investment in the identified area cannot continue. We support the rights of the majority of the community to the upkeep of the public realm by the Council on an ongoing basis.

REPORT:

The report presented to the May meeting of the Tallaght ACM received the support of all elected members present on the day, there have been no additions or amendments to the report requested to date therefore the plan for the area remains as set down in the May report.  It is stated in the report that no source of funding currently exists for the upgrade works and this matter will have to be addressed through the budgetary process later in the year.  Once a source of funding has been identified it will be necessary to obtain Part 8 approval, such is the estimated cost of the plan, and this will involve a period of public consultation on the proposals. 

The main aim of the report and the programme of works as outlined in it is to secure the area which surrounds the Whitestown Stream by creating an enclosed public open space which it will be possible to maintain in a manner that is acceptable to local residents.  If this can be achieved then it is hoped that the other elements of the upgrade including soft landscaping, tree planting and wildflower planting will be allowed to flourish.  The plan as outlined also provides for work on a number of ongoing maintenance issues including repairs and overlay of footpaths, upgrade of the public lighting system and repairs to areas of soft landscaping.

Both the Public Realm Section and the Drainage Maintenance Section carry out regular clean up works in the area including the removal of dumped waste and burnt out cars from the stream itself.  This ongoing maintenance work will continue however it will be necessary to identify ways to counteract the anti-social behaviour taking place on a regular basis in the area.  In this regard it is hoped that the Council along with local community representatives, elected representatives and An Garda Siochana can come together in some manner and work together to resolve these issues.