COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 13, 2023

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor M. Lynch

To ask the Chief Executive why there is no reference to Community Gardens in the draft climate action plan considering the current policy is to "Maintain and expand community gardens and allotments for local food production"

REPLY: 

The draft Climate Action Plan has been prepared in conjunction with other council strategy documents such as the Green Infrastructure Strategy, the Tree Management Strategy and the forthcoming Parks and Open Spaces Strategy,  all of which have objectives and actions that ensure that the public realm and South Dublin's environment is managed and developed in a sustainable manner.

Development of community gardens and allotments are seen as important deliverables in these plans.

The Citizen Engagement Action Area in the draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 recognises that to achieve transformative change we have to support community initiatives to take positive climate action.  While not explicitly referencing Community Gardens or allotments, it is proposed that actions such as CE22 Community Department to identify key opportunities to engage with communities throughout the county, working with the Climate Action Team, will incorporate activities like the provision of community gardens and support local food production. The community team are happy to meet with and support residents regarding community development proposals such as community garden provision.