Update on marina and Courtown beach project

COUNCILLORS heard a presentation on the Courtown North Beach and Marina Feasibility Study, with a report being described as ‘nearly there’ following a meeting with RPS consulting enginners at the beginning of the month.

The next step is public consultation next month, with a confirmed date and location to be finalised.

Detailed maps and aerial photographs showed the differance in coastline from the year 1900 to 2017 as well as a preferred option of what the marina could be.

Drawings and project information will be on display for one month from the beginning of public consultation, and coastal engineers and RPS representation will be in attendance on the launch day to answer questions.

Submissions received will then be considered at the next stage of the project.

Councillors were told that the project was subject to funding and that consulting engineers would be appointed to prepare a detailed design, planning and foreshore application as well as a detailed environmental assessment.

During a discussion on the next steps, Cllr Anthony Donohoe suggested that engineers should ‘start looking now for funding, not at the end of the project’.

Cllr Malcolm Byrne, who expressed being keen to progress, asked about a time frame and suggested that the team ‘get their ducks in a row now’ to let government know and apply pressure.

Director of Services Eddie Taaffe said that after public consultation, the project will go to tender and he described the volume of work involved as ‘significant’.

For example, 300,000 tonnes of sand would be required for the marina.

He assured councillors that the Council would be looking for funding on this straight away but even being optimistic, the application would take time, pointing to the end of next year.

The engineers said that the OPW were ‘well aware’ of the project also.