Lower Lee FRS – Exhibition Report
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Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme Protecting Cork from future flooding Exhibition Report In association with Non-Technical Summary Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme LowerLower LeeLee (Cork(Cork City)City) FloodFlood ReliefRelief SchemeScheme Contents 1. Introduction 2. Project Objectives and Delivery 3. Alternative Solutions Considered 4. Technical Concerns about the Exhibited Scheme 5. Potential Impacts of the Exhibited Scheme 6. Proposed Changes to the Scheme arising from Exhibition Stage 7. Next Steps 8. Conclusion Proposed View Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme 1. Introduction This report outlines the statutory public In its consultation on the Scheme, the OPW consultation process on the proposed Lower was anxious to hear the comments and Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme (“The concerns of members of the public and to Scheme”). This formal public consultation, address genuine issues in a constructive way. known as “Public Exhibition”, followed on In this report, the main issues that arose from a number of informal consultations during the Public Exhibition are highlighted with the public during 2013 and 2014 and is and addressed. These can be grouped into provided for under the Arterial Drainage Acts, a number of main topic areas as outlined in 1945 and 1995, under which the Scheme is the sections following and in the body of the being advanced. report. The report explains the essential facts about the project and answers some of the The Scheme was commissioned by the Office main questions raised in relation to suggested of Public Works (OPW) with the objective alternative solutions to address flooding of providing protection for Cork City and in Cork city. This is not a legal or technical environs against the 1 in 100 year fluvial/1 document. If more detail is needed on the in 200 year tidal flood events which is the topics covered, this can be found in the international and best practice standard. Supplementary Reports accompanying this Report and on the Project website The proposed Scheme is a hugely important project for Cork city and for the country as a www.lowerleefrs.ie whole. The OPW has a very successful track record in delivering effective flood defence schemes and its goal is to ensure that the schemes it builds are technically, economically and environmentally sound and provide the best possible protection and benefit to the communities affected. Proposed View Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme 2 Project Objectives and Delivery 2.1 The Need for the Project 2.2 Background There is a long history of flooding in Cork City The project followed on from the pilot Lee and the River Lee valley. A number of severe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and floods have affected the city, most recently in Management (CFRAM) Study carried out November 2009, February 2014 and winter between 2006 to 2013. This study identified 2015/16. The event of November 2009 was the preferred scheme as being a combination an exceptionally severe event, with major of a flood forecasting and warning system, damage caused to commercial and residential revised procedures for operating the ESB buildings in Cork City. dams and raised waterside defences. It has been estimated that the damages Following extensive study and assessment, a caused in the 2009 river flood and 2014 proposed scheme has now been developed tidal flood amounted to €90m and €40m which consists of a modified version of the respectively. measures identified in the Lee CFRAMS, together with a flow control structure on the The 2009 event heightened public awareness south channel to rebalance flows between of the significant flood risk which exists in the north and south channels. Cork City and the need to provide a flood relief scheme. The Scheme was developed in close co- operation with all key stakeholders, in particular; Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the ESB. The proposed Scheme was subsequently brought to Public Exhibition stage in late 2016/early 2017 where details of the Scheme were available for inspection by members of the public as well as being available to view online on the project website www.lowerleefrs.ie. Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme “It has been estimated that the damages caused in the 2009 river flood and 2014 tidal flood amounted to €90m and €40m respectively.” 1200 businesses 1 in 100 year flood protection from River Lee 2100 1 in 200 year properties protected flood protection from the tide Lower Lee (Cork City) €140m Flood Relief Investment 900 Scheme In flood protection homes 1km 75% of new riverside of public river walkways frontage will have open railings €20m to repair historic walls Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme 2 Project Objectives and Delivery cont. 2.3 The Benefits of the This integrated and holistic scheme will Project substantially free the people of Cork from The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme will the worry and stress of living with flood run from Inniscarra Dam to the city centre risk. It will remove barriers to future private protecting over2,100 properties, including investment and help to reinvigorate the 900 homes and 1,200 businesses against tidal city centre and its environs. It will also and river flooding. It will be the largest flood provide significant local employment during relief investment project ever proposed in construction. Ireland. The Scheme includes €20m of much needed In line with international best practice, the investment in repair of historic quay walls standard of protection provided by the which could otherwise be at serious risk of Scheme is the 1 in 100 year flood from the collapse. It will provide almost 1km of new River Lee and the 1 in 200 year flood from river walkways, enhancing connectivity to the the tide. The Scheme is adaptable to provide river and improving public realm spaces in greater protection in the future in response to collaboration with the City Council, such as climate change. proposed works on Morrison’s Island. Process and Timeline 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Early Project Information Day (PID) at outset Options Development and Appraisal Emerging Preferred Option PID Refinement and detailing of scheme Statutory Public Exhibition of the Scheme Consideration of Public Submissions Part 8 Planning App & tendering for Morrison’s Island Morrison’s Island Construction Works Statutory Confirmation of Overall Flood Scheme Construction of First Phase of Overall Scheme Commences Completed Current / Future Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme 2.4 Project Delivery and Funding for the project is currently provided Governance for in the OPW’s multi-annual capital The Scheme is a key deliverable of the expenditure plans for the next seven years. National Flood Risk Management programme In discrete areas, e.g. Morrison’s Island, and is being brought forward by the OPW, supplementary funding is being provided which is the state body with the lead role by Cork City Council for public realm nationally in flood risk management. enhancements to take advantage of the synergies with the flood defence works, and The OPW is working in association with Cork thus avoid the need for future disruption in City and County Councils and the ESB as one these areas. of the main stakeholders and operators of the hydroelectric dams on the system. The Scheme has been designed to a Standard of Protection (SOP) that is an internationally The project is governed by a Steering Group, recognised standard which is also the which meets regularly and comprises the standard generally being requested by the following key decision makers and stakeholder insurance industry. representatives. • Office of Public Works (the client); • Cork City Council; • Cork County Council; • ESB; • The Engineering Design team led by Arup in association with JBA Consulting, the Paul Hogarth Company and Alastair Coey Architects; • The Environmental Team of consultants, Ryan Hanley and McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan. Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme 2 Project Objectives and Delivery cont. 2.5 Public Participation By the time that the design team for Process the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme was The OPW has engaged in an extensive and appointed in 2013, the importance of public proactive consultation process in relation to a participation was recognised. Following every flood relief scheme for Cork since 2006 when public consultation event, feedback from the the Lee CFRAMS commenced. public was considered and the Scheme was refined accordingly. During the Lee CFRAMS, a series of public information and consultation days were At the outset of the Lower Lee Flood Relief held in December 2006 (seven events) Scheme, an early Public Information Day (PID) and in May 2009 (four events) when the was held in July 2013, to advise the public on draft flood maps and preliminary flood risk the process and anticipated timeline for the management options were presented to project and to invite input from the public. ensure that the public was aware of the study This input was critical to the subsequent and had sufficient opportunity to express optioneering stage. their views and comment. The final stage of this consultation process was the publication In mid-2014, having completed the initial of and consultation on the draft Catchment optioneering and scheme design work, a Flood Risk Management Plan (CFRMP) which further ‘Emerging Preferred Option’ PID was issued for consultation on 1 February was held to present details of the proposed 2010. Following this consultation, the final Scheme and to further encourage members Lee CFRMP was published in 2014, and of the public to make submissions. Feedback this included the essential elements of the from this event informed the further Scheme now proposed.