Tipperary News bulletin Summer 2020

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WELCOME FROM MICHAEL SMITH

CATHAOIRLEACH COUNTY COUNCIL 2020

It is a great honour for me to serve as Cathaoirleach of the County Council in Tipperary. My aim is to bring a new and dynamic drive to the process of solving the housing crisis. This will involve examining every available site for new builds, Local Authority Housing Schemes. We will also invite Housing Associations to explore their full potential. I have a special interest in the renewal and re use of old vacant housing stock which is still in good condition. Outdoor healthy pursuits are very important, I am promoting safe walking routes and will do everything I can to ensure more and more people avail of them. We are witnessing an up surge in voluntary endeavours in many areas and it should be encouraged. Tidy Towns, Village Renewal, artistic activities, and many different kinds of sport deserve to be supported. Financial Incentives are critical to further encourage voluntary work at every level. The County Council through our Enterprise supports is to the forefront in helping to develop new employment opportunities. Getting people back to work is essential for our Country to prosper. Rates relief for struggling businesses must be available. I would ask people to shop local to holiday in Ireland and keep safe. Michael Smith Cathaoirleach Tipperary County Council 2020

Councillor Michael Smith with his colleagues and councillors at Semple Stadium, following his election at the Annual General Meeting as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council 2020/2021.

Annual General Meeting held at the Dome, Thurles to facilitate compliance with social distancing guidelines.

We are open for business 9.30am-4.30pm 0761 06 5000

[email protected] www.tipperarycoco.ie

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Tipperary County Council’s vision for the next five years Tipperary County Council is responsible for providing a wide range of services and supports to a diverse range of customers. Our customers include over 159,500 residents in 69,106 households, approximately 14,000 businesses with over 63,400 employees, along with those who visit our county whether for recreation or work. At its meeting held on Monday 9th March, 2020, Tipperary County Council adopted a new Corporate Plan for the period 2020-2024, which sets out the strategic vision and direction for our County for the next five years. Link to the Corporate Plan https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/your-council/tipperary-county-council-corporate-plan-2020- 2024 Strategic Themes

The annual report for Tipperary County County Council has been published and this outlines the performance of our functions and services 2019 (for the preceding year)

See link below

https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/sites/default/files/ Publications/Annual%20Report%202019%20-% 20Tipperary%20County%20Council.pdf

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Newport to get a new town park

For many years the people of Newport have been advocating for a playground and park for their communities. That day has come a step closer with the signing of the contract for the Town Park and playground on Wednesday 1st July. This was followed later that afternoon by a sod-turning ceremony on site. Located on the banks of the Mulkear River, the park site extends to over 2.5 hectares (6.25 acres). Permission for the development was granted by An Bord Pleanála in April 2019. The proposals, in addition to the Town Park, will include children’s playground, zip wire, outdoor gym equipment, pump track, multi-use games area (MUGA), recreational walks and seating.

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A LINE OF CONES WON'T STOP A SPEEDING CAR BUT YOU CAN!

This is a busy time for roadworks around . Every year in Ireland there are hundreds of incursions into roadworks which put road workers’ lives at risk and can lead to death and serious injury.

Tipperary County Council is raising awareness among drivers that roadworks are a place of work for lots of people and that all of us have a right to expect a safe working environment.

Michèle Maher, Road Safety Officer with Tipperary County Council said, “For some reason a small minority of drivers still find it acceptable to put road workers’ lives in danger by not taking care when they go through roadworks. This campaign is about reminding road users that roadworks are like any other work place, and that our workers have just as much right to work in a safe environment as everybody else. The message is clear “A line of cones won’t stop a speeding car but YOU can.” We know you want to get home, but so do our workers - see the cones, obey the zones.”

Tipperary County Council is urging drivers to adhere to the following safety tips:

Drivers • Adhere to the speed limit on display. • Follow the temporary road signage in place. • Stay alert for the roadworkers and machinery. • Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Never Break the Red Light or Ignore a Flagman Stop Sign!!!!!!!

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Update - Liberty Square, Thurles Enhancement Project

David Walsh Civil Engineering Ltd. in partnership with Tipperary County Council are undertaking construction works in Liberty Square Thurles to enhance the existing square. The proposed works include the re-configuration of existing carriageway, footways and shared accesses as well as associated drainage, ducting and other ancillary works.

Works in relation to the construction of the off-street car park is nearing completion with works in the Main Square due to commence w/c 17th August 2020. The new car park will provide 95

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Preparation of Killaloe-Ballina Town Enhancement, Tourism and Mobility Plan gets underway

Clare County Council and Tipperary County Council, working in partnership, have commenced the preparation of a Town Enhancement, Tourism and Mobility Plan for Killaloe-Ballina.

The Plan will facilitate a coordinated approach to public realm enhancements within Killaloe and Ballina, providing a clear vision for Killaloe and Ballina as linked settlements.

Specific measures, designs and schemes will promote the towns’ complementarity, and create an overall focus on their joint strengths and opportunities in terms of functionality and aesthetics.

A key objective in the County Development Plan is to work in partnership with in co-ordinating balanced development and the promotion of Killaloe and Ballina as linked settlements. Central to all future developments in the linked settlement of Killaloe-Ballina is the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme, which will provide a western bypass for Killaloe town, a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon and an upgraded link between the twin towns and the M7 motorway. This strategy aims to have a plan already prepared and in place to guide the settlements post-operation of the bypass.

Front: (L-R) Cllr. John Carroll, Leas-Chathaoirleach, Municipal District; Cllr Pat Hayes, Cathaoirleach of Killaloe MD, Clare County Council. Rear: (L-R) Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner, Clare County Council; Rosemary Joyce, District Administrator, Nenagh Municipal District;; Anne Haugh, Director of Service and Area Manager, Killaloe Municipal District (MD), Clare County Council; Cllr. Phyll Bugler, Nenagh Municipal District; Cllr Tony O’Brien, Killaloe Area, Clare County Council; Marcus O’ Connor, Director of

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A call to all gardener’s

Gardening for Biodiversity, a new book by Juanita Browne of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and illustrated by Barry Reynolds, focuses on bringing biodiversity into your own garden. Full of tips and practical advice for all ages the focus is on fun and family friendly projects that can enhance the biodiversity of your own spaces.

The book was produced by under the Biodiversity Action Plan and supported by the Local Authority Heritage Officers Network,( including Tipperary County Council). It is also supported by the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, N.P.W.S and the Heritage Council.

It is a wonderful resource for the beginner or long term gardener and will help us all to do our bit for biodiversity. Its available to download or if you would prefer a hardcopy please email [email protected] https://www.tipperarycoco.ie/news/gardening- biodiversity

Roadside Litter Campaign 50 aluminium “Keep Tipp Tidy” signs were purchased to raise awareness about roadside littering, these will be placed at known black spots across the county. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage people to dispose of their litter responsibly and to support the work of tidy town committees

Bring Banks Litter Awareness A campaign to deter littering at brings banks was launched recently. This involves the use of covert CCTV cameras at sites and placing stickers on the bring banks to advise the public against littering.

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