Concerns raised in Waterford over coastal erosion which ‘could cost a lot of money’
Cllr David Daniels raised the issue at the June plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council
A Waterford councillor has raised concerns over the amount of coastal erosion locally, which he says “could cost a lot of money”.
Independent councillor David Daniels raised the issue at the June plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.
Cllr Daniels said: “Just a question really on coastal erosion.
“There’s been a lot about it there recently and I know in my own area, there’s two areas that could cost a lot of money because it’s changing the environment.
“We’re very reactive at the moment. I suppose we have no choice.
“Is there a pot of funds that we can get from the Department of Environment or where are we going with this big bill we’re coming at?”
In response, Chief Executive Sean McKeown outlined the national process that is ongoing in relation to coastal erosion.
Mr McKeown said: “There is an inter-departmental group of which the local authorities nationally are [part of].
“There’s a Programme for Government commitment in the first instance to have a pilot scheme looking at hard engineering solutions where they’re appropriate, looking at data-based solutions [...]. There’s a range of options.
“My understanding is that an Expression of Interest [will be] issued to the 17 local authorities that have a coastal boundary and there’ll be a selection panel then, which will take a look at examples across those various interventions that were mentioned.”
He went on to say that Waterford City and County Council will be making a submission under that Expression of Interest process.
“When that Expression of Interest comes forward, we will be submitting an application under that.
“So that’s in relation to the policy development that’s going on and Programme for Government commitments at national level.
“Locally, the OPW have responsibility here in relation to flood defences and so forth and again, we have a couple of projects that have been submitted.”
Following on from this, Director of Services Gabriel Hynes outlined the work that is being undertaken at local level.
Mr Hynes said: “Locally, just in relation to your area, Cllr Daniels, we are carrying out a survey there at the moment working with the OPW.
“It’s a coastal erosion management survey looking at the area, looking at how much erosion is happening there.
“So there is a bit of work being done there and we did a similar report for Ardmore.”
He outlined that when such surveys are completed, the council will be in a better position to apply for national funding.
‘When that report is completed, we’ll have a better indication of the amount of erosion that is happening and what the appropriate interventions would be.
“So we would be in a position to [make] a submission then, following on from those studies that are going to be undertaken.
“We have one scheme in the west of the county which is going to be assessed by the OPW and we’re due to have a workshop with them in the coming months to discuss that case.”
Mr Hynes concluded by saying that other cases of coastal erosion in the county would also be raised at the workshop.