COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

To ask Chief Executive to give an update on biodiversity planting and other works in the Lucan Electoral Area, what budget to date has been spent on biodiversity in the Lucan Electoral Area under budget 2023 and 2024 and plans for the remainder of the year and that this update would include specific details of any initiatives covered in this question

REPLY:

Pollinator bulb planting was carried out in Griffeen Valley Park at Old Esker Lane (€5,000) and in Watertown Park (€10,000) under the 2023 Improvement Works Programme.  As part of the 2024 Improvement Works Programme, pollinator bulb planting will be carried out at Woodview Heights (€8,000), Griffeen Road/Way roundabout (€10,000) and Castle Road/Rochfort roundabout (€10,000).

A mini woodland (€25,000) is also included the 2024 Improvement Programme, and this will be planted near the north west bank of the River Griffeen between King Johns Bridge and the pedestrian bridge at the back of Lucan Swimming Pool.

In addition to planting, grassland management has been adapted to enhance biodiversity.  Long Flowering Meadows and Short Flowering Meadows are now regular features of the landscape.

The Long Flowering Meadow involves a restructuring of mowing patterns and timings with a one cut per annum grassland management regime.  Some of the meadow areas are cut at the tail end of the flowering season in late summer and early autumn.  This mimics traditional hay meadow management techniques.  Other meadow areas are left to overwinter and cut in Spring.  This provides nesting and overwintering habitats for many insects. 

The Short Flowering Meadows involves restructuring of mowing patterns and timings to approximately 5 cuts per annum.  Short flowing meadows are designed to suit public open spaces in residential areas where long flowering meadows may not be practical.  This is an objective of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and an environmentally enhancing way of managing public open space.  The cutting and collecting programme allows short flowering species to flower and set seed, while also aiming to reduce the overall competition from grass species as the ground is depleted of nitrogen.

These pollinator supportive meadow management initiatives are key actions in SDCC's Climate Change Action Plan.  Further information on pollinator initiatives can be found on SDCC's website at this link: Pollinators - SDCC.