KILLARNEY URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT SUBMISSION 1996

TOWN PROFILE

Killarney has long been linked to the Chieftains of McCarthy, McGuillycuddy and O’Donoghue, the Religious Centres of Innisfallen, Aghadoe and the later Estates of the Lord Kenmare and Herbert family. The lands and places of history have ensured centuries later, Killarney’s pre-eminence as a tourist centre.
Killarney Urban District Council is consistent in its ongoing dedication to the provision of an infrastructure and environment essential to the development of Killarney as a Tourism, Commercial and Industrial base.

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Cllr. Dermot O’Callaghan, F.F.
Cllr. Paul Coghlan, F.G.
Cllr. Sean Counihan, Lab
Cllr. Michael Courtney (Cathaoirleach 1995/96), Ind.
Cllr. Tom Doherty, F.F.
Cllr. Maurice O’Donohgue, F.F. Ind.
Cllr. Michael Gleeson (Cathaoirleach 1996/97), S.K. Ind. Alliance
Cllr. Sean O’Grady, Ind.,
Cllr. Murt O’Shea, F.F.

MEMBERS OF OTHER BODIES

County Kerry Vocational Education Committee
Mr. Christy Horgan, Fr. Michael Fleming

Kerry County Library Committee
Cllr Michael Gleeson

Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland
Cllrs. Sean O’Grady, Mort O’Shea

Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd
Cllr. Paul Coghlan

Killarney Resource Group
Cllr. Maurice O’Donoghue, Mr. Michael Moynihan

Killarney Swimming Pool
Cllrs. Sean O’Grady, Michael Gleeson, Cllr. Murt O’Shea

Killarney Working Group
Cllrs. Paul Coghlan, Tom Doherty, Michael Gleeson

Muckross House Committee
Cllr. Michael Gleeson

Town Twinning Committee
Cllrs. Dermot O’Callaghan, Michael Courtney, Sean O’Grady, Tom Doherty

SENIOR STAFF

Town Clerk	Carmel Brosnan
Town Engineer	Donal Mangan
Sanitary Services Engineer	Paddy O’Donoghue
Executive Planner	Donal Kiely

HOUSING

Work was ongoing in 1996 on a twenty house scheme in Deerpark on the approach road servicing Arbutus Grove and Deerpark. The construction will be to the same high standard of the adjacent 39 house scheme. In compliance with Council policy the houses will by in large be maintenance free with PVC windows and doors, fascia and soffit and dry dashed external walls. The twenty bungalows comprise both two bedroomed and three bedroomed houses and are semi detached on a linear layout. The Killarney Urban District Council also purchased a number of houses.

In conjunction with the twenty house scheme, work also progressed in 1996 on the completion of eight number shared ownership houses. These houses, for which there was a brisk demand, are two storey and three bedroomed and it is envisaged that the Council will be in a position to allocate these houses in April of 1997.

The policy of selling off private sites in areas adjacent to Council Schemes is proving to be very attractive and to date houses have been constructed in seven of the thirteen sites earmarked for this integration.

In 1996 Minister Brendan Howlin officially opened the Arbutus Grove Housing Estate.

ROADS

1996 saw major improvements to many of the roads within the town and its environs. These works were carried out through the Killarney Sewerage Improvement Scheme and from Killarney Urban District Council’s own funds.

The Road Re-instatement and Improvement works were carried out in College Street, College Square, Main Street, New Street, High Street, suburban area of Woodlawn Estate and Roughty Road. Much favourable comment was received on the extensive upgrading of the town street system.

Killarney Urban District Council together with the residents of Plunkett Street undertook to widen the footpaths in this area.

The New Street Car Park was resurfaced during the year with traditional stone walls erected along the road connecting Beech Court to the Inner Relief Road.

Killarney Urban District Council successfully purchased land at the High Street area. This area once developed will allow for an access road and additional car parking area and will open up an area which is at present situated within the backlands of the town.

An additional Traffic Warden was employed over the summer period to facilitate with the free-flow of traffic within the town during the busiest times.

The ongoing examination of improving the Traffic Management within the town was assisted through the commissioning of a Consultant to undertake a Traffic Management Study of Killarney. Many areas were subsequently viewed and adopted by the Council.

KILLARNEY SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME 1996

The past year has seen extensive work carried out in Killarney under the Sewerage Improvement Scheme with the completion of Contract Nos. 2, 3 & 4A (in August). These contracts provided new sewers in the town environs and upgraded/replaced sewers in the town centre.

Two further contracts (Contract 1 & 4B) commenced in October to extended and the upgrading the Waste Water Treatment Plant to cater for a population equivalent of 42,000 (increased from 30,000).

This scheme has an overall estimated combined value of Ł8.5 m and is being grant aided by the EU Cohesion Fund and the Department of the Environment.

PLANNING

1996 saw a 12% increase in the number of planning applications received by the Planning Authority, the respective figures being 160 (1995) and 181 (1996). Many of the applications processed were from the commercial sector comprising large scale, multi faceted developments directly and indirectly related to the tourist industry which continues to underpin the local economy.

Progress under the Urban Renewal Scheme continued though the number of applications, unsurprisingly, was not as high as in 1995, the first full year of the initiative. Many of the previous years authorised developments came on stream resulting in quite a dramatic transformation of erstwhile derelict backlands. Some key note sites are still awaiting redevelopment however.

Another noticeable trend throughout the year was the increased rate of both first and third party appeals to An Bord Pleanala against decisions by this Planning Authority. This is indicative of two trends:- (a) the rate of development in the town and (b) heightened public awareness of and interest in the planning process.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A very successful Pilot Project was undertaken in Killarney to educate and encourage environmental awareness within schools. A school recycling scheme was initiated as a result by students of one of the local schools.

The Council in conjunction with a number of town bodies set up under the logo of ‘HOTEL’ HELP OUR TOWN ELIMINATE LITTER a campaign to encourage business and commercial premises within the town to maintain and ensure litter free zones within the town.

The Tidy Towns Report again reflected the work which the Council has undertaken, as part of the Town Community, to safeguard our environment and enhance our town.

Further upgrading of the Landfill Site utilised by the town was carried out during the year. These works reflect one part of the Council’s strategy to effectively deal with the disposal and reduction of waste.

RECREATIONAL AND AMENITY

The Council operated two Community Employment Schemes in 1996 which carried out extensive environmental works including the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers and landscaping works.

Killarney Looking Good Competition Prize Ceremony was attended by Minister Eithne Fitzgerald. The competition acknowledged the consistent works and effort made within the town to improve the image of the area.

The Killarney 1920’s Festival added to the festivities of St. Patrick’s Weekend in Killarney and proved itself to be an upcoming popular annual event.

In August of 1996 Killarney Urban District Council agreed to transfer land at a nominal fee to Cork/Kerry Tourism in order that a suitable Tourist Office facility be provided for the Town at the New Street Car Park.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Urban District Council hosted a number of Civic Receptions during the year. Amongst, the most high profile of these was the Civic Reception hosted by Killarney Urban District Council in Muckross House for the EU Agricultural Ministers on the occasion of their meeting in Killarney. This coincided with Irelands Presidency of the E.U.

Killarney’s links with our twin city Concord were further developed with the ten day visit of a delegation from the Council which consisted of Cllr. O’Callaghan, Cllr. O’Doherty and Town Clerk, Carmel Brosnan.

Three members of the Council’s outdoor staff retired during the year, Jeremiah Buckley, Tommy Doran and Maurice Kiely. The vacancy of Town Plumber was filled by Mr. John Flaherty and four permanent outdoor staff were taken on - Liam Casey, Dan Looney, John Reidy and Denis McCarthy.

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