Kilkenny County Council have been asked to lead the charge in promoting rainwater harvesting technology by installing systems in new public buildings and to introduce permeable paving to offset the risks of flash flooding in urban areas.
The call was made by Green Party Councillor, Malcolm Noonan who brought forward a motion to the Kilkenny Electoral Area Committee of the Local Authority asking for grey water harvesting to be introduced into a public building on a pilot basis in order to promote the technology in the wider community.
‘The days of flushing treated drinking water down our toilets are numbered. Even from an economic viewpoint where many businesses are bearing the brunt of water charges, there are significant savings to be made in harvesting rainwater to use for non drinking purposes’, stated Cllr Noonan. ‘In bringing forward this motion, I have asked that the Council would also begin using permeable paving in public infrastructure projects. This would also have the advantage of reducing surface runoff from our urban areas and reduce the risk of flash flooding. Climate change is with us now and will be for many decades even if we reduce global emissions, it is essential that Local Authorities begin to address the challenges ahead at a local level’.
Kilkenny County Council has stated that it would consider the proposals in the design stage of the new public library. Cllr Noonan also expressed a hope that private developments that factor in grey water harvesting into their overall design, would benefit from incentives such as a discount in development contributions.
‘I am encouraged by the fact that Kilkenny County Council has recognised the importance of this policy initiative as it is complimentary to National Legislation and International best practice’ concluded Cllr Noonan.
A delegation which includes German Green Party Leader Reinhard Beutikofer is to visit Kilkenny this Friday. The group will travel here with a German Television crew to record an interview with Mr Beutikofer for a National TV station. Local Green Party members will then host a dinner for the group as part of a two day visit to the City.
Speaking about the visit, local Green Party Councillor, Malcolm Noonan stated that it was a great honour to welcome Mr Beutikofer to Kilkenny. ‘The Green Party in Germany, (Bündnis 90 Die Grünen) like in many other European Countries has been part of Central and Regional Government for many years now. This has been a motivating factor in our decision to enter Government for the first time, it will be interesting to exchange ideas and talk about the many challenges we face as policy makers weather it be at National, regional or at a local level’, he stated. ‘It is a great privilege that Mr Beutikofer has chosen to use Kilkenny as a backdrop for his interview, particularly given the fact that it will be broadcast on National Television to millions of viewers, its great for Kilkenny but it is also great for the Green Party locally’.
Deputy Leader of the Green Party Mary White TD said that Mr Beutikofer is an inspiration to the Green Movement worldwide and in Government the German Greens have made a significant mark in Democratic Politics in that country. ‘It’s a great time for the Green movement, we have an unprecedented opportunity to shape policy towards a more sustainable society.The German Greens under the leadership of Reinhard Beutikofer are leading the way across Europe, creating thousands of jobs in renewable energy and in Research and Development along the way, his visit is a great honour to the Carlow/Kilkenny Green Party’.
Future Proof Kilkenny have just launched thier latest series of ‘transition’ events in Kilkenny. Following on from the success of their Global Lunch Box sessions though May, they decided to keep up the momentum with ‘Rethinking the Future’. They describe it as ‘a series of evening talks and documentary screenings exploring the role of community in preparing for life beyond cheap oil. This is very worthwhile and relevant chapter in addressing the big issues of our time of climate change and peak oil.
The first ‘rethink’ starts on Thurs 12 June and continues each thurs evening through the month. It begins with a look at the ‘transition towns’ initiative, a movement that focuses on how we can use the challenges of climate change and peak oil to strenghten local economies and communities.
For more Information on Rethink the Future visit www.futureproofkilkenny.org
‘The Inner Relief Road will do little to solve traffic problems in Kilkenny and has no place in modern urban planning’ according to Green Party Councillor Malcolm Noonan. Following a Presentation to elected members at a special meeting last night (Monday), in which the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Final Design for the controversial proposed Inner Relief Road and Nore Bridge Crossing for Kilkenny City were put forward by Planners, Cllr Noonan warned that the proposed road would only serve to push further vehicle numbers through the city and cut off communities at the northern end of the City.
‘The EIS should have looked at non road alternatives as well as alternative routes. This project was first proposed over twenty years ago when the energy crisis and climate change were not considered pressing issues, urban planning has shifted radically away from car centred mobility in recent decades. We cannot facilitate further traffic growth before offering viable alternatives to commuters, a business as usual approach is no longer acceptable’, claimed Cllr Noonan.
Heritage groups such as Kilkenny Archaeological Society have already outlined concerns to Kilkenny County Council Planners regarding the damage to the integrity of one of the oldest quarters of the city and despite the removal of several contentious aspects of the proposed project, these concerns remain.
Cllr Noonan stated that the proposed Inner Relief Road, (now re named The Central Access Scheme) and bridge crossing are excessive engineering solutions to what is basically an urban planning problem. At the meeting he outlined what he saw as a more cost effective solution based around public transport, park and ride facilities, increased cycle lanes, erection of a pedestrian and cycle cantilever onto the existing Greensbridge (restoring it to a full two lane carriageway) and the completion of the outer ring road with a bridge crossing on the Freshford Road. At the meeting he welcomed the fact that the outer ring road would now proceed to design phase, but argued that this should be given priority over the City bridge crossing.
‘While I feel vindicated that my objections regarding the loss of the Garrison House resulted in the removal of the Wolfe Tone St Spur and my proposals for a shuttle bus public transport fleet and integration of a cycle lane network will now be brought forward, I believe we could have pursued non Relief Road options coupled with the fast tracking of the outer ring road and northern bridge crossing and start addressing transport issues in line with European best practice’.
‘My worry is that once this road is put in place, it will actually generate far more traffic than predicted and dilute the viability of public transport. I hope I’m wrong, but the evidence from other towns is not encouraging’ stated the Green Party Councillor.
Following the meeting, his colleague Deputy Mary White TD agreed with the contention that the road could lead to exponential growth of traffic in the city and create congestion hot spots at peak times. ‘Cllr Noonan and I have studied the project in great detail and I have walked the route with both Cllr Noonan and the County Manager. Given the way our fuel prices are going and looking at our international obligations to reduce emissions from the transport sector, a road must only be considered as a last resort. We all want Kilkenny to develop and prosper, but we must recognise that this city is a unique gem in Ireland and we only have one chance to get our planning right. I will study closely the documentation issued to public last night and I will issue a further statement when I have time to analyse all the supplied data. ’ she stated.
At the meeting, Cllr Noonan outlined an alternate plan. ‘What we need form the outset, is a Vision for the future development of Kilkenny, not one that is based around outdated strategies. I think the first statement we must make as urban planners and policy makers is to make an active commitment through the Development Plan to reduce vehicle numbers entering the city by 50% over a ten year period and to incentivise public transport, walking and cycling as the primary modes of mobility, as is the case in any forward thinking municipality.
‘Kilkenny could lead the way for other regional towns as a centre for sustainable urban mobility and in the process create a healthier, more passive urban environment for its citizens and visitors and copper fasten the economic vibrancy of the City’s core. The Central Access Scheme as proposed is a retrograde step and future generations will not judge us kindly if this is all we have to offer’, he concluded.
Marking Biodiversity Week, Kilkenny Green Party Councillor Malcolm Noonan is urging the people of Kilkenny to do everything they can to enhance wildlife in urban and rural areas and to be mindful of using polluting materials in their daily lives.
‘Our wildlife, plants, animals and insects are facing huge challenges from human activity, pollution, climate change, habitat loss and overexploitation of our natural resources are causing the extinction of many species in Ireland and worldwide. This week is about focusing our efforts to protect our biodiversity, our wild habitats and wildlife and ensuring that we pass this rich resource on to future generations’ stated Cllr Noonan.
‘Ireland has pledged to halt biodiversity loss by the year 2010 and my colleague John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has stated that this target will be difficult to meet, given the intensity of our activities. Globally it is estimated that one in four species has become extinct in the last 35 years and some scientist believe we are facing a mass extinction not seen since the age of the dinosaurs’.
Cllr Noonan cited the example of bee populations in Ireland as an example of what could happen, stating that if current trends continue and we see the levels of colony collapse that have occurred in the US, our entire agricultural system and fruit production would be threatened. ‘What’s important to learn from Biodiversity Week is the interdependence of all life on earth and to realise that we are but one species of many millions, many yet undiscovered. But if people feel powerless to do anything to stop the loss of our wildlife, they shouldn’t’, he stated.
We can all do simple things and make simple choices in their daily lives that could have a positive effect on enhancing our wildlife in urban and rural areas, and people shouldn’t think that this wildlife is the preserve of our rural dwellers as our cities and towns are teeming with wildlife.
Some of these choices and efforts could include; planting our gardens with more trees and shrubs that attract insects, sowing wildflower meadows or leaving areas to go wild, using eco friendly detergents and washing up liquid, not using pesticides, weedkillers or lawn fertilisers in their gardens, buying locally sourced and if you can afford it, organic produce, put in bird boxes and bat boxes around the garden, and finally going on nature walks with family and passing on a legacy of appreciation of wildlife to our children.
Further information on Biodiversity week can be found on www.noticenature.ie. The week runs from 18th to 25th of May. Kilkenny County Council is currently in the process of drafting a Biodiversity Plan for County Kilkenny and will be looking for input from the public. In Conclusion, Cllr Noonan called on all people in Kilkenny City and County to get out during the bright evenings and enjoy the rich natural heritage of Kilkenny City and County.
