OPW presentation to Cork City Council members
Today, the Office of Public Works (OPW) and its consultants Arup made a presentations to Cork City Council members in relation to the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme alongside a presentation by Cork City Council officials on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm Project incorporating Integrated Flood Defences which is being advanced by the Council.
The presentation on the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme sets out the background to the development of the proposed Scheme, and addressed the issues which were raised by the public as part of the statutory Public Exhibition process. The presentation details information on the proposed measures to deal comprehensively with the significant flooding problem in Cork City.
The OPW thanked all those who made submissions on the Scheme as part of the consultative process on what is the largest flood relief Capital Investment Scheme ever to be undertaken in the State with funding of €140 million. The Scheme is being advanced through the statutory processes at this time and will provide protection against tidal and river flooding to some 2,100 properties, including 900 homes and 1,200 businesses, and will extend from Inniscarra Dam to the City Centre.
Minister “Boxer” Moran said, “The OPW has consulted widely during the development of this Scheme and has worked in partnership with both Cork City Council and Cork County Council. The planning, development and design process for the Scheme has been rigorous and is of the highest professional standard. It takes account of architectural, environmental and heritage considerations raised during the public consultation process and provides for a technically feasible and integrated flood defence solution for the City in line with best international standards.”
In relation to the further presentation to the Local Authority members on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm Project, incorporating integrated flood defences, Cork City Council intend to commence the Part 8 planning process for this project before the end of November, 2017. The flood relief elements of this public realm project is required to defend this key commercial area of the City and work on this much needed project is expected to commence next year subject to planning approval.
The Minister went on to say, “I recently visited Cork and engaged with officials, the business and local community and met with the Save Cork City campaign group. This Government is committed to addressing the hardship from ongoing flood risk and has a significant programme of investment in place to deliver on this commitment. Cork City needs flood defences against both tidal and river flooding and the Scheme proposed will achieve this for the benefit of the entire community of Cork.”.
The presentation to the Cork City Council members by the OPW and the presentation by Cork City Council on the Morrison’s Island Public Realm Project are available in the Project Documents area.
