Kilkenny County Council in partnership with every citizen in the County has a crucial role to play in the protection of our natural environment. The core objective of the Corporate Plan for the Environment Section is to promote and nurture the environment for the benefit of the current and future generations. With ever increasing pressures through economic development, growth in population and the change in living standards impacting upon our environment, the Local Authority is pivotally positioned to ensure through advice, education and enforcement that our environment is properly protected.

Kilkenny County Council and all local authorities are responsible for in excess of 500 environmental protection functions under the headings of air, noise, planning, waste, waste water and water quality. These functions are contained within some 100 pieces of legislation. With a team of 44 staff (including indoor and outdoor staff) hard work and dedication is given by the Environment Section Team to ensure that our responsibilities and functions are fulfilled.

The key areas dealt with include:

• Waste Management
• Education & Awareness
• Water Quality
• Veterinary Services
• Parks

 

Waste Management

Dunmore Landfill

The Environment Section operates a landfill about 5km north of the City at Dunmore (Licence no. W0030-02). This is the only landfill which is operated by Kilkenny County Council. The landfill comprises 14 lined waste cells. The construction of the final two cells was completed by September 2006. Cells 1 - 12 have been filled to their capacity and filling is currently taking place in cell 13. Additional capping and restoration works commenced during 2006, this work is on going. The facility continues to operate to the highest standard.

 

Recycling

2006 was another extremely successful year for Kilkenny County Council's recycling programme. By the end of 2006, 43 bring sites were in place, accepting glass and cans. 12 of these sites accept food cans, and 1 site also accepts plastic bottles, newspapers and cardboard

The bring banks are emptied on a regular basis. However due to a small number of individuals abusing the banks for illegal dumping of household waste and the irresponsible littering of such sites, CCTV cameras have been installed at a number of sites. A covert, mobile CCTV system which can be placed at various sites around the county has also been purchased and is being deployed at a number of sites throughout the coming year. In addition, the Environment Enforcement Team regularly carries out surveillance operations in an effort to curtail illegal activity.

 

Dunmore Civic Amenity Centre

Dunmore Civic Amenity Centre continued to grow in popularity in 2006. The Centre, coupled with the widespread availability of kerbside collection has resulted in a household recycling rate for the County of 24%.

At Dunmore it is possible to deposit recyclable items such as

• Paper
  • Mixed Paper Light
  • Cardboard
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Plastics
• Light Plastic Packaging
• Plastic Bottles
• Untreated Timber
• Metal
• Glass
  • White
  • Green
  • Brown
• Textiles
• Clean Clothes
• Sheets
• Shoes
• Household Hazardous Waste
  • Aerosols
  • Medicines
  • Fluorescent Tubes
  • Paints
• Waste Oils
  • Cooking Oils
  • Engine Oils
• Batteries
  • Primary Batteries
  • Lead Acid Batteries
  • Tractor Batteries
  • Electric Fence Batteries
  • Moped Batteries
  • Golf Trolley Batteries
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ALL WEEE IS FREE OF CHARGE)
  • Fridges and Freezers
  • Household appliances
  • Computers
  • Televisions
  • Video Players etc.
• Oxfam Bank
  • CDs
  • Books
• Mixed Metals
• Steel Food Cans
• Aluminium Drink Cans
• Free Christmas tree recycling takes place during the month of January; the trees are shredded and reused as landfill cover material.

 

               

 

Transfrontier Shipment of Waste

Under the requirements of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 and National Regulations SI No 149 of 1998, Waste Management (Transfrontier Shipment of Waste) Regulations, 1998, Kilkenny County Council is the Competent Authority of Dispatch for waste exports from the County. In 2006 there were 853 shipments of waste under 3 separate TFS notifications. A financial bond is put in place with Kilkenny County Council for each of these shipments to cover costs in the event of a shipment being rejected. The bonds are not released until after Kilkenny County Council had received confirmation that the waste had been recovered/disposed in an environmentally sound manner. The Environment Section participates in the national TFS working group which meets regularly to discuss and advise on TFS matters and to ensure standardisation of procedures across all local authorities, and to network with agencies in other EU countries.

 

Waste Collection Permits

Kilkenny County Council is the nominated authority in the South East Region for issuing all waste collection permits as per the Waste Management Acts 1996 - 2003 and the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2001 as amended. The Region comprises Carlow County Council, South Tipperary County Council, Waterford County Council, Waterford City Council and Wexford County Council.

The primary purpose of the permitting system is to facilitate appropriate controls on commercial collection activities for the purposes of environmental protection and to facilitate the implementation and achievement of relevant objectives in the waste management plan.

Kilkenny County Council has granted a total of 348 applications since the regulations were introduced. 67 applications were granted in 2006 and 85 permits reviewed.

 

Waste Management Acts 1996 - 2003

A total of 56 Notices were issued under the Waste Management Acts 1996 - 2003 in 2006. These were for a range of unauthorised waste activities such as waste collection without a permit, burning waste, dumping waste at unauthorised sites and non-compliances with waste permits or waste collection permits.

 

Waste Management (Permit) Regulations, 1998

28 applications for waste permits were made under the Waste Management (Permit) Regulations, 1998 for facilities in County Kilkenny in 2006.

There are currently 48 permitted sites in the County. The operation of these permitted facilities was monitored by Kilkenny County Council's Environmental Enforcement Team. In all, a total of 143 inspections were carried out during the year.

Letters were sent out to each Permit Holder advising that the next site visit would be prearranged. This affords the opportunity to meet the Permit Holder on site, and discuss any issues or queries that may need addressing. Emphasis is placed on the Permit Holder bringing all relevant records to the meeting. Permit Holders are advised about the importance of the Annual Report which is required to be submitted to the Local Authority by February each year.

 

Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 2003

274 inspections of premises took place in 2005. Notices under Section 18 of the Waste Management Acts, and Article 22 of the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations were served on 7 businesses that were not fulfilling their obligations under the regulations.

 

4 major producers in Kilkenny are now registered with Kilkenny County Council as 'Self Compliers' under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 2003. Other major producers took the option of joining Repak. The membership fees paid by the packaging producers are used to fund recycling initiatives by means of subsidies paid to collectors for packaging waste recycled.

 

Waste Management Plastic Bag Levy Regulations, 2001

377 inspections of business premises were carried out throughout the county to check compliance with regulations.

Abandoned Vehicles

Section 71 of the Waste Management Acts 1996 - 2003 makes it an offence to abandon a vehicle on any land. 75 letters were issued in 2006 for cases of abandoned vehicles. Any costs incurred by Kilkenny County Council in the removal of abandoned vehicles is passed to the offender where they can be identified.

 

General

There were 337 inspections carried out in relation to illegal dumping in 2006. There were 82 inspections in relation to illegal burning. There were 7 inspections in relation to discharge licenses. Other enforcement action included 320 inspections in relation to bring centres, 19 inspections in relation to farm plastics, 36 inspections of tyre outlets, 15 inspections in relation to asbestos, 61 inspections in relation to fuel merchants, 89 inspections of garages, 152 inspections of hotels, pubs and restaurants, 74 in relation to horses, 29 in relation to dogs, 353 in relation to litter, 14 in relation to solvents, 11 in relation to WEEE and 88 in relation to miscellaneous events.

 

Environmental Complaints

Kilkenny County Council have adopted an Environmental Complaints Procedure for Investigation and Resolution of Environmental Complaints (a copy of this procedure is available on www.kilkennycoco.ie in conjunction with the National Environmental Complaints Policy. . A number of national co-ordination meetings were attended by the Environmental Co-ordinator for Kilkenny County Council during 2006.

As part of the National Environmental Complaints Procedure a National Illegal Dumping Line was launched by the EPA on the 28th June, 2006 on a pilot basis. The concept was developed in consultation with both the local authorities and An Garda Siochana. The main purpose of the phone line is information collection. Members of the public can call the national hotline on 1850-365-121 to report, on a confidential basis if necessary, suspicions of illegal dumping in County Kilkenny both past and present. This information is then submitted to Kilkenny County Council and investigated by members of the Environmental Enforcement Team. A total of 31 reports were forwarded to the Environment Section, Kilkenny County Council via the national hotline during the last six months of 2006 and an additional 1379 environmental complaints were received directly by the Environment Section during 2006.

 

 

Education and Awareness

Litter Management Plan

Work has continued during 2006 under the Litter Management Plan 2003-2006. In addition to the resources expended on cleaning up our streets, over €185,000 was set aside for environmental education and awareness projects, most of which have an anti-litter theme.

The Free Phone Litter Hotline 1-800-200-156 received 387 calls in 2006. This is a free phone number, and facilitates the public in reporting incidences of littering and illegal dumping to the Council. The litter e-mail address litter@kilkennycoco.ie can be used for the same purpose.

 

South East Waste Management Plan 2006 - 2011

The revised South East Waste Management Plan was formally adopted in June 2006. This joint waste management plan covers the period 2006 to 2011. This constituent local authorities participating in the plan and which form the region are Kilkenny County Council, Carlow County Council, Waterford City Council, Waterford County Council, Wexford County Council and South Tipperary County Council being the lead authority for the plan. The plan is available for download on www.kilkennycoco.ie and www.wastenot.ie.

 

Public Awareness

In 2006 the Council was without an Environmental Awareness and Education Officer until the end of August.

• 24 primary and secondary schools were visited on environmental awareness issues.
• 4 Environmental talks in relation to farm waste management were given to in excess of 300 farmers in Kilkenny.
• The Farm Environmental Awards Scheme was introduced with a prize fund of over €5,000.
• A Tidy Towns Seminar was held in November 2006 All Tidy Towns and Community Groups were invited to this information evening. Guest speakers such as the Tidy Towns Judge Frank Donaldson, Emer Connolly for the Tidy Towns unit and Nuala Madigan from the IPCC gave a very practical demonstration on leaf mould, home composting and activating your wormery.
• In excess of €18,000 was given to 18 Tidy Towns and Community Groups for Anti Litter Initiatives in their area.
• 209 compost bins were sold in 2006, bringing the total sales to 5,116 or a composting rate in the county of approximately 22% through county council initiatives and subsidies. This rate is well above the national target of 7%.

 

Green Schools

The Green Flag is the most prestigious award that a school can achieve and is given to schools that take action to eliminate litter and reduce waste. Once the award has been achieved the schools then move on to address other issues such as energy and transport. The county now has a total number of 17 Schools with a Green Flag. This represents a 30% growth on 2005 figures.

A Green Schools Seminar took place in November 2006. All schools in the county received a written invitation to the Green Schools Seminar which was held in County Hall. Guest speakers included David O Leary from An Taisce, Rory McConnon from the Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency and Nuala Madigan of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council. There were over 40 attendees on the night which proved very informative for the local schools

 

Environmental Education Programme

An Environmental Education Booking Form was sent out to every school in the County. This form is intended to show schools the education programme that is available through the Environmental Section of Kilkenny County Council. There was a tremendous response to the booking form with the Trip to the Dunmore Landfill and Civic Amenity Site proving the most popular.

 

Green Tips

This is a joint initiative between KCLR and Kilkenny County Council which sees easy examples of how people can improve their environment aired on the local radio station every day.

 

Local Agenda 21 - Environmental Competition for Schools

This competition was open to both primary and secondary schools. The topics covered were:

• The benefits of waste minimisation for your school and local community:
  • Why use fair-trade in your school and local community.
  • Energy conservation - what's involved and what's it all about.

There was a prize fund of €5,000.

 

Kilkenny Green Flag Schools 2006

School	Address	School Type
Abbey Community College	Ferrybank, Waterford	Secondary
Burnchurch National School	Cuffesgrange, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Colaiste Mhuire	Johnstown Via Thurles, Co.Kilkenny	Secondary
Gaelscoil Osraí	Loch Bui, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Kilkenny School Project	Springfields, Waterford Road, Kilkenny	Primary
Lisnafunchin N.S.	Lisnafunchin, Castlecomer, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Piltown National School	Piltown, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Presentation Convent N.S.	Castlecomer, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Scoil Aireagail	Ballyhale, Co.Kilkenny	Secondary
Scoil an Chroi Ro-Naofa	Urlingford Via Thurles, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Scoil Bhride Lisdowney	Lisdowney Ballyragget, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
Slieverue N.S.	Slieverue Via Waterford, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
St. Brigid's National School	Kells, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
St. Canice's Co. Ed. N.S.	Granges Road, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
St. Colman's N.S.	Conahy Jenkinstown, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
St. Eoghan's N.S.	Kilmoganny, Co.Kilkenny	Primary
St. John of God N.S.	New Street, Co.Kilkenny	Primary

 

Urlingford National School receiving their 1st Green Flag in 2006

 

National Spring Clean April 2006

Throughout the year, much time and finances were invested in organising regular clean ups by residents associations, tidy town groups, youth groups, etc. in towns, villages and rural areas in the county and the outcome was extremely successful. The policy to distribute tags/bags and other clean-up equipment instead of skips has proven to be popular and successful.

 

Waste Minimisation

• Piltown Show Environmental Stand
• Tidy Towns Seminar
• Green Schools
• Local Agenda 21 Competition
• Composting seminar
• Christmas Tree Recycling
• Farm Recycling Talks
• In house recycling and composting
• Anti Litter Initiatives with Local Community Groups

These are just some of the initiatives taken to reduce the amount of waste created in Kilkenny.

 

Fair Trade 2006

Fair Trade Fortnight - March

Kilkenny County Council had adopted a Resolution to support FAIRTRADE. Fairtrade fortnight was used to promote the use and purchase of Fairly Traded products throughout Kilkenny. Since Fairtrade fortnight only FAIRTRADE tea and coffee are served throughout County Hall

 

Mobile WEEE Collection - November 2006

    

Recycle household electrical equipment with plug or battery!
Please remember no contamination!

Kilkenny County Council identified a need for further Waste Electrical and Electronic Collections around the county. 4 mobile collection dates were organised for November 2006 as follows -

• 4th of November - Mullinavat
• 11th of November - Johnstown
• 18th of November - Mooncoin
• 25th of November - Castlecomer

This mobile WEEE collection service was FREE OF CHARGE to the householders of Kilkenny. This local service provided by Kilkenny County Council allowed the opportunity to clean out any old Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment for free e.g. dishwashers, cookers, televisions, computers, radios, hairdryers, & mobile phones.

The mobile collections were deemed a great success with over 110 Tonnes of WEEE collected over the four days. A further 250 Tonnes of WEEE was collected at Dunmore Civic Amenity Site.

 

Hazardous Waste

The Chemcar will accept: Old Medicines, Aerosols, Anti-freeze, Batteries, Bleaches, Fluorescent tubes, weed killers and garden chemicals, Oils, Paints (but not empty paint tins), Adhesives, Household/ DIY chemicals.

During 2006, Free Chemcar collections for household hazardous waste took place in Newrath, Thomastown, Callan, Paulstown, Graiguenamanagh, Piltown, Johnstown and Mullinavat. A permanent Chemcar collection facility is also provided at Dunmore Civic Amenity Site.

 

Kerbside

The fortnightly Kerbside recycling service has now become well established in Kilkenny City & County. A study carried out in 2006 indicated that 75% of residences in the city & county are now provided with a kerbside collection scheme.

 

In-house waste minimisation

In 2006 the in-house waste minimisation "Action at Work" programme continued with the support of the Council's Partnership Committee. Waste paper shredding units have been provided throughout the building as part of this initiative. Compost Caddy's have also been placed in every office to collect compostable materials. A Recycling centre has been established near the canteen to cater for the collection of Glass and Plastic bottles, Steel and Aluminium cans. This initiative will raise awareness of waste reduction and recycling initiatives within the council buildings.

 

National Recycling Week

Radio Programmes on KCLR96FM for National Repak Recycling Week "National Recycling Week ran from the 2nd - 8th of October. Competitions Prizes were given out from Monday the 2nd to Friday the 6th of October. Fairtrade hampers worth in excess of €100 were the prizes.

Theresa Butler, New Orchard, Kilkenny being presented with a beautiful Fair-trade hamper
by Olga Broderick Doyle, Environmental Awareness Officer, Kilkenny County Council

 

Repak also joined with Kilkenny County Council to promote the use of the local Bottle Banks and Civic Amenity Sites. Repak had a text competition were Kilkenny people sent in a password to be in with a chance to win a Ford Flexi car. Kilkenny County Council launched two school competitions during this week. The winner of the competitions avails of over €3,500 and will form part of the Cinema advertising campaign during 2007. During this week there were three speakers on KCLR on different days. Topics covered included an introduction to National Recycling Week, Reusable nappies and composting.

 

European Mobility Week 2006

The aim of European Mobility Week 2006 was to encourage people to choose ways of getting around that reduce their contribution to climate change. The climax of European Mobility Week was Car Free Day which was held on September the 22nd when High Street was closed off to cars from 10.30am to 4.30pm. During this time a selection of events were organised to allow Kilkenny people enjoy a day of rest from the Automobile on High Street.

• Stands from Kilkenny Cereals, Glas and the Environment Section of Kilkenny County Council.
• 'Free' Fair trade tea and coffee, biscuits and chocolates.
• Face painters and clowns.
• 3 'Free' raffles at the Environment Section Stand with in excess of 1,500 entries.
• 'Free' reusable shopping bags.
• illuminated armbands for pedestrians.
• Kilkenny People competition.
• Car Pooling Competitions.
• Internal staff competition to promote the day.

 

Grants 2006

Anti Litter Awareness Initiative Grant 18 projects were successful in obtaining grant funding. Co-funding was made available through Kilkenny County Council. The maximum grant allocated per project will be 70% of the overall cost, with the balance being met by way of local contribution.

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 6 projects were successful in obtaining grant funding. Under the partnership fund, 50% of the award will come from the Department of the Environment and is matched by Kilkenny County Council. The winning projects meet the criteria under Local Agenda 21 and are non commercial.

The theme for the 2006 fund required projects to complement the Department's National Environmental Awareness Campaign - "Race against Waste" and address the issue of waste including prevention, reduction, re-use and recycling. Applicants were encouraged to link into the overall aim of Local Agenda 21 in preparing their projects.

Adopt a Bottle Bank Grant Following its successful introduction in 2005, the 'Adopt A Bottle Bank' grant was again offered in 2006. Community Groups from the following 12 areas each received a grant of €400 in respect of the upkeep and maintenance of their local bottlebank: Coon, Tullahought, Johnswell, Ballyfoyle, Ballyouskil, Ballyragget, Jenkinstown, Kells, Bennettsbridge, Knocktopher, Piltown and Johnstown.

 

 

Water Quality

The EU Water Framework Directive establishes water management at the level of river basins. All of County Kilkenny lies within the South East River Basin. The South East River Basin District Management Scheme has been set up to establish an Integrated Monitoring & Management System for all waters within the South Eastern River Basin District. Kilkenny County Council, along with other sectoral interests in the south east of Ireland, is part of the management structure for this River Basin. A dynamic programme of management measures will be developed and a River Basin Management Strategy produced.

This Strategy will be continually updated to maintain High Status where it exists and/or achieve Good Status for all water (surface freshwaters, estuarine and coastal waters and groundwater). High Status is indicative of little impact by human activity & Good Status is normally indicative of waters sustaining good ecological biodiversity. Preparation of the SERB Management Plan is being led by Carlow County Council and regular meetings of the management and steering groups take place. Pending finalisation of the Plan, all the major rivers in County Kilkenny are covered by Water Quality Plans together with being subject to the requirements of the Water Pollution Acts.

Work on the project has been ongoing. In 2005 Ireland completed the characterisation of all waters in each RBD. The country also took part in fieldwork trials to compare the quality of its waters against those of other European Member States. The work undertaken so far has set the scene by identifying the key issues that have to be addressed in the next few years. Ireland is already acting on the next steps of implementing the Directive.

Monitoring programmes were formulated in 2006 to assess the status of our waters and allow us to measure future improvements in waters resulting from management actions. Through 2007 these monitoring programmes will be progressively rolled out.

Detailed studies, focusing on understanding and managing the key pressures or activities that potentially affect Irish waters, are at different stages but will be completed in early 2007. Advisory councils have been set up to provide a structure for effective public participation.

The Council monitors 20 licences to discharge to waters and 50 licences to discharge to sewers. 10 new licences were granted and 1 licence review was completed in 2006. 2 licence reviews are pending.

14 of the county's larger industrial developments are IPC (Integrated Pollution Control) licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

River Water Quality Monitoring is shared between the Council's Environment Laboratory and the EPA Regional Laboratory in Kilkenny. The EPA Regional Laboratory is moving in early 2007 from the Butts Green to a new state of the art facility at Seville Lodge, Callan Road, Kilkenny. The Council's own laboratory equipment was updated in 2004 and it continues to partake in the EPA calibration scheme. A report by the EPA on River Water Quality in County Kilkenny was commissioned by Kilkenny County Council.

The Groundwater Protection for the County was completed in 2002, in association with the Geological Survey of Ireland. It is being used to assist in decision making on the location, nature and control of developments and activities in order to protect groundwater. These maps are available for inspection, by the public, in the Environment Section, County Hall. They have also become available on-line at www.gsi.ie.

Farm Surveys were carried out and pollution incidents inspected to ensure that the implementation programme in place by Kilkenny County Council to comply with the Phosphorous Regulations and Dangerous Substances Regulations is on target. The implementation programme in both Measures Reports is to ensure the continued improvement of water quality in County Kilkenny.

 

Access to Information on the Environment

1 request for access to information on the environment was received under the regulations.

 

Control of Dogs

Under the Control of Dogs Acts, 1986 & 1992 all dogs other than those used wholly for official duties by the Gardai, Defence forces or the Custom and Excise Service must be licensed. Section 2 of the Act makes it an offence for a person to keep a dog unless he/she holds a licence for that dog or a general licence covering any number of dogs at a specified premises.

Section 8 sets the fee at €12.70 per dog and the general licence fee at €253.95 and enables the Minister to increase or reduce the fees or to specify different fees for different classes of dogs. Individual licences are issued by post offices and a general licence is issued by the G.P.O., O' Connell Street, Dublin. In 2006, 3883 individual and 10 general licences were processed by The Environment Section

 

Dog Shelter

The new state of the art dog shelter was opened at Garryduff, Paulstown in May 2006. The accommodation consists of 5 kennels and one isolation unit with capacity to house a total of 20-25 dogs approximately at any one time, confined exercise yards, food preparation and storage area, veterinary room, freezer unit, public toilets and staff amenities.

 

The opening hours of the Dog Shelter at Garryduff, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny are as follows:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday - 10.00am to 1.00pm
• Saturday - 10.00am to 12.00 noon
• Tuesday & Sunday - closed
• Phone: 059 9726785

 

 

Veterinary Services

A full time veterinary officer fulfils the service contract between the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and Kilkenny County Council. Duties include the inspection of domestic abattoirs and small meat manufacturing plants, membership of regional Zoonosis Committee etc. As directed by FSAI, the service facilitates FSAI Surveillance Surveys and participation in Foodborne Outbreak Control Teams as appropriate etc. Other duties include fulfilling the Council's obligations under the Diseases of Animals Act 1966, the registration of liquid milk production holdings, disposal of animal by products etc.

 

Casual Trading

9 Casual trading areas (26 trading bays) have been designated under bye laws in the following towns and villages in the County: Castlecomer, Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh, Inistioge, Kells, Hugginstown, Glenmore, Kilmanagh & Gowran. Separate bye laws operate for the Kilkenny Borough Council area.

 

Local Authority Management System (LAMS)

LAMS was introduced to the Environment section in 2004. It is a digitised management system that provides a comprehensive library of statutory environmental protection functions. The system allows the Section to monitor and manage the large number of statutory functions it has responsibility for under environmental legislation. A number of national co-ordination meetings were attended by the LAMS Co-Ordinator for Kilkenny County Council during 2006.

 

 

Parks

Amenity Grants, 2005

In 2006 Kilkenny County Council advertised an Amenity Grant Scheme to assist voluntary bodies in the provision of amenity facilities. Preference was given to projects which were community based and which were considered to offer most benefit to the local community.

 

Playgrounds

Kilkenny County Council recently developed and will continue to maintain playgrounds at the following locations:-

• Garringreen,
• Mooncoin,
• Callan,
• Castlecomer,
• Mullinavat,
• Thomastown.

 

River Nore Linear Park

The construction of the River Nore Linear Park began in 2006 and Phase 1A has been completed. Phases 1B and 1C are currently under construction. Phase 1B is a continuation of Phase 1A, Phase 1C includes the construction of a paved entrance to the Linear Park and provision of ESB ducting to facilitate the undergrounding of overhead cables. This is part of an ongoing programme to develop a network of footpaths and cycleways along the River Nore in Kilkenny City and Environs.

 

 

Nore Valley Walking Route

Work continued on this walking route in partnership with Leader/BNS and the many landowners along the route. The route will eventually run from Kilkenny to Inistioge.

 

Village / Urban Renewal

The 8 main projects for 2006 were:

• Castlecomer - provision of amenity area at Church Avenue
• Ballyhale - provision of seating areas / under-grounding of overhead cables
• Knocktopher - provision of paved footpaths / village entrance signs
• Paulstown - Tree planting
• Rosbercon - Tree planting
• Urlingford - Shrub planting / provision of amenity area
• Kells - provision of paved footpaths in village centre and entrance to Kells Priory
• Piltown - provision of paved area in village centre / replastering of walls at Council depot / tree planting

 

Newpark Marsh

A Management Strategy for Newpark Marsh was procured in 2005 and implementation commenced in 2006. In particular a monitoring programme commenced to investigate the hydrogeology of the Marsh.

 

Development of Parks

A neighbourhood park at Garringreen commenced in 2005 and was completed in 2006. Kilkenny County Council will undertake ongoing maintenance and further developments in the park in 2007.

 

Playing Pitches

The Parks Section has developed two playing pitches located at Garringreen and Millenium Court. These pitches are available for use by local soccer clubs. An additional pitch has been completed in 2006 at Bishop Birch Place and will be available for use in 2007.

 

Woodstock Gardens

Phase three of the restoration project is now underway. Features recently reconstructed or restored include the walled garden, fountain, flower terraces, yew walk, rustic summer house (Knox's Bower), Turner Seat, Rockery, Monkey Puzzle and Noble Fir Avenues. Underway is the recreation of a circular Turner Conservatory which is due for completion in 2007.

 

National Tree Week

This was held in March 2006 and free trees were donated to local community groups to help enhance their areas.