Our Statutory Budget Meeting Agenda for 2024 has been published, and will be discussed at the Plenary Meeting of Waterford City and County Council, to be held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford on Tuesday 28th November, 2023 at 2:00p.m
You can access the full agenda at the Waterford Council website or directly via this link:
On Tuesday, November 21st, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced funding of almost €2.3 million nationally to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland.
The investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be key to enhancing outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches.
As part of this announcement two Waterford projects received a very welcome funding boost; Blackwater River Valley Outdoor Recreation Plan and Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Management Plan.
The Project Development Measures will fund the preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage.
Each project will receive €50,000 in funding under this round of ORIS funding with a minimum of a further 10% in funding being contributed by Waterford City and County Council. It is envisaged that the projects will be implemented in 2024.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway welcomed the funding announcement saying, “This funding announcement is significant for Waterford, as it will drive the impetus to bring these two large-scale projects to fruition.
“Waterford’s successful projects are located within two areas of outstanding scenic beauty namely the Blackwater River Valley and the Comeragh Mountains, and the development of these high quality recreation opportunities will only serve to enhance the areas and the communities within.”
Blackwater River Valley Outdoor Recreation entails the design of improved river access points to facilitate water-based activities at Ballyduff Upper and Lismore to include developing designs to planning stage, environmental assessments and submission of the resultant planning application. This work will build on a feasibility which was undertaken in 2022 to look at the potential of the Blackwater River Valley for Blueway, water trail and related land based outdoor recreation opportunities. It will also greatly add to ongoing projects in both Cappoquin and Villierstown seeking to enhance access to the River Blackwater for recreation.
Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Management Plan will see the development and management of high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities in the Comeragh Mountains focusing on core environmental, conservation, landscape, and socio-economic factors.
Widespread stakeholder and community engagement are planned as part of the preparation of this plan which will be consistent with objectives contained within the Waterford City and County Development Plan 2022 to 2028.
Similar to the River Blackwater project, the process of preparing the plan will very much consider the unique characteristics of this wonderful upland landscape.
The Rural Economic Development team in Waterford City and County Council looks forward to working with the local communities on these exciting projects in 2024.
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Notice is hereby given that the Budget of Waterford City and County Council for the Financial Year ending 31st December 2024 has been prepared and will be considered by the Waterford City and County Council at the Budget Meeting to be held at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 28th November 2023 at City Hall, The Mall, Waterford.
A copy of same can be inspected free of charge by any member of the public at the Customer Services Desks, Baileys New Street, Waterford and Davitts Quay, Dungarvan,
Co. Waterford while the offices are open for the transaction of official business.
A copy of the Budget of Expenses will be supplied to any person making application at a price of €5
Michael Walsh
Chief Executive,
Waterford City & County Council.
Tugtar fógra leis seo gur ullmhaíodh Buiséad Chomhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge don Bhliain Airgeadais dar críoch 31 Nollaig 2024 agus go mbreithneoidh Comhairle Cathrach agus Contae Phort Láirge é ag an gCruinniú Buiséid
a thionólfar ar 2.00 i.n. Dé Máirt 28 Samhain 2023 i Halla na Cathrach, An Meal, Port Láirge.
Is féidir le duine ar bith den phobal cóip den mbuiséad a iniúchadh saor in aisce ag Deasca Seirbhísí Custaiméirí, Sráid Nua Bailey, Port Láirge agus Cé Dháibhéid, Dún Garbhán, Co. Phort Láirge fad is atá na hoifigí ar oscailt chun gnó oifigiúil a dhéanamh.
Cuirfear cóip de Bhuiséad na gCostas ar fáil d’aon duine a dhéanann iarratas ar phraghas €5
Michael Walsh
Príomhfheidhmeannach,
Comhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge
Dungarvan can expect a very special visit from the ‘man himself’ as Santa is due to switch on Dungarvan’s Christmas lights on Sunday, November 26th.
Dungarvan Shopping Centre, in association with Waterford City and County Council, has compiled a festive programme in the lead up to the big event.
Making his grand entrance in a fire engine, Santa will be escorted by local Vespa club, Only Fools and Scooters, and met by the Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Declan Doocey.
Commenting on the event, Gerry O’Connor, Manager Dungarvan Shopping Centre, said we’re delighted to partner with Waterford City and County Council to light up Dungarvan for the festive season.
“Dungarvan looks great throughout the year. It really is the perfect destination for shopping, leisure or for a bite to eat, but when the lights go on, there is a fantastic festive atmosphere.
There is lots of activity planned in the Plaza and Grattan Square and it really is the perfect time to bring the family into town, young and old, to soak up the wonderful Christmas ambience.”
Santa will arrive in Grattan Square in a fire engine and make his way to the Plaza to meet the Deputy Mayor, of Waterford City and County where he and the winner of the Christmas colouring competition in the Dungarvan Leader will switch on the Christmas lights at approximately 5pm.”
WLRfm will be broadcasting live from 3pm to 6pm with Andy McCloskey and there will be loads of prizes and giveaways. There’ll also be a Christmas Carousel in the Plaza to keep the youngsters entertained throughout the evening.
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Waterford City and County Council is actively considering the development of an affordable housing scheme at Ardmore, Co. Waterford. Initially, the Local Authority is assessing the viability of, and the need for such a scheme in the area.
The Local Authority Affordable Housing Scheme provides for Local Authorities to make new homes available at a reduced price for first-time buyers whose mortgage and deposit will not cover the price of the home and who are seeking to purchase a newly-built home.
If you are a first-time buyer, unable to get a mortgage for a new home in the Ardmore area, the affordable housing scheme will provide for:
While the final purchase price of the affordable housing has yet to be determined, the scheme will be targeted at those who cannot access social housing supports and cannot afford to purchase a property on the private market.
If you consider that you may qualify and are interested in declaring an interest provisionally at this point, you are invited to complete an Expression of Interest online survey, subject to the important information contained within the survey and acceptance of the terms outlined in it.
To complete the Expression of Interest online survey, visit Waterford City & County Council (submit.com)
The survey will remain open until 4pm, Sunday December 31st, 2023.
For further information about the Admore Affordable Housing Scheme (EoI) email affordablehomes@waterfordcouncil.ie
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Dog owners of Waterford are being urged to clean up their dog’s waste by bagging it and binning it!
Not only is dog poo unsightly and smelly, but it can also pose a health hazard. Dog poo on our streets, parks, trails and beaches can cause illness and lead to the spread of disease, as it contains harmful bacteria such as E-coli and parasites like roundworm. Not only this, but it can cause serious kidney disorders, diarrhoea, intestinal illnesses, and cramps.
Parents with buggies, children, and vulnerable groups such as wheelchair users and the visually impaired, are particularly susceptible to stepping in or wheeling through dog poo, and being at risk of these health implications, not to mention the unpleasantness and inconvenience of getting poo on shoes, hands or wheels.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Joe Conway said, “The majority of dog owners and dog walkers are responsible and ensure that they clean up after their pets. However, there is a minority that believes their dog waste is not their responsibility.”
“The consequences of not bagging, binning or bringing it home are not pleasant. Dog poo and discarded poo bags are a blight on the landscape, they spoil our wonderful natural amenities, and they are harmful to people and wildlife.”
By simply ensuring we all clean up after our dogs, we protect our community and our environment.”
Niall Kane, Senior Executive Engineer, with Waterford City and County Council added, “Dog waste should be bagged immediately and can be discarded in any public bin. If there is no public bin in the vicinity of the walk, it should be brought home and disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner.
“Often is the case, some owners will bag it, but then leave the bags on trees or on walkways, which is unsightly and has a detrimental effect on the environment. Discarded poo bags are a threat to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, and can end up in our rivers and lakes, causing further damage to our marine life…the consequences of which will be felt for generations to come.”
Waterford City and County Council encourages all dog owners to make the right decision and clean up after their pooches to protect our communities, our wildlife and our outdoor spaces.
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Images: Free to use (WCCC)
The prestigious international travel magazine ‘Conde Nast Traveller’ has zoned in on Mount Congreve for their ‘Best Place To Go in the UK & Ireland’ 2024 listing.
Conde Nast says of the list, “At the end of each year, we look ahead to what’s coming next in the travel world as we pick out the top destinations we’d recommend to our fellow globetrotters for the following 12 months. Our expert contributors nominate the destinations that are on the up right now. These nominations make up the Best Places To Go in 2024, in which we shine a light on the places that are due their moment in the sun.”
They go on to say, “This list is an edit of the regions, cities and neighbourhoods in the UK and Ireland that are worthy of your time and attention in the next 12 months. All 12 destinations are places we’re excited about recommending for your 2024 plans – 12 spots that should be on your radar when it comes to plotting your all-important annual leave, and which will hopefully remind you that some of the most beautiful places in the world are right here on home turf. Happy travels.”
Of the 12 places on the list ‘Waterford & Wexford’ are cited together as a Southeast travel destination. It is the only Irish inclusion.
The listing details the newly refurbished Loftus Hall and its imminent opening, the oldest intact operating lighthouse in the world – Hook Lighthouse, Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore and the delicious seafood at The Beach House in Tramore and the magnificent Mount Congreve House and Gardens.
Conde Nast contributor Aoife O’Riordan says, “Hop over the border to County Waterford and the recently restored Mount Congreve House, another palatial pile, overlooking the River Suir with dreamy gardens and a café run by The Pantry at CLIFF, a spin-off of Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. When the gates close, you will have the gardens all to yourself if you bed down at Mount Congreve’s fairytale gate lodge, which is available to rent, and the Waterford Greenway, an off-road hiking and biking trail along a disused railway line between Waterford City and Dungarvan, passes right by the edge of the estate.”
Sara Dolan, Commercial Director at Mount Congreve Trust says, “We are absolutely thrilled to be listed in the Conde Nast top 2024 recommendations. We know that this guide and any list they produce is very discerning, so it is a dream come true to be selected and featured, especially in the first year of our opening.
All of the team at Mount Congreve have worked very hard to achieve and deliver a very high standard of hospitality right across the gardens, the café, the house, the gate lodge and for our events so it is a wonderful acknowledgement of their hard work.
We have some more very exciting plans and further estate developments planned for 2024, so we won’t be sitting on the garden laurels but moving on and pushing ahead to achieve even more in year two of the new chapter of the estate.”
Earlier this month Mount Congreve Gardens also won the ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ as the Georgina Campbell Awards and Mount Congreve Gardens has been selected as a winner in the 2023 World Garden Awards, the presentation of this award takes place next week.
Mount Congreve House was officially opened to the public earlier this year, following capital funding from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, Fáilte Ireland and €1.2million funding from Waterford City and County Council.
Mount Congreve Gardens along with the Stables Café and its onsite estate accommodation is open year-round. For further details see www.mountcongreve.com
The full Conde Nast list can be read here: https://www.cntraveller.com/article/best-places-to-go-in-uk-and-ireland-2024
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