A SPECIAL Joint meeting of Tullamore Town Council and the Tullamore Area Committee has failed to move forward the issue of building on flood plains in Tullamore.
Grace O'Dea reports
Members had agreed at the outset of the meeting to reach an indication for planners over two recommendations in the managers report on building in flood plains.
County Manager Pat Gallagher recommended that members either d
ecide there be no amendment to lands to the west of the town centre but to amend lands to the east. This would mean that existing zoning for the development of lands to the east, including the Grand Canal Quarter, be removed on the basis of the unacceptable high level of flood risk.
The second option would see cllrs deciding to amend lands to the west and the east of the town centre.This would mean lands to the west would have their existing zoning replaced with a zoning or specific objective for less vulnerable uses. However Mr Gallagher said he would advise members to chose option one.
Cllr Brendan Killeavy told members they should go for option 2. "There are 154 hectares in the Grand Canal Quarter and only 32 of theses are affected by flooding. This is not a massive amount," said Cllr Killeavy who said these 32 hectares could be rezoned for another use such as recreational. He said although floodplains could be zoned for development, it is not worth taking a chance. He said it was not like 500 jobs were going to be created there in the morning.
Cllr Molly Buckley said with the recent flooding, she didn't know why " we should leave ourselves open to flooding." She said floodplains should never be zoned for development.
Cllr Johnny Butterfield said he had a very different view about flooding. He said he saw the lake at Annaghmore drained to make 100 acres of agricultural land.
"I saw land once flooded, now fertile. I think flooding can be sorted. We should be pro development full stop," said Cllr Butterfield. He said while it was 'fashionable' for cllrs to be 'green', he said they as public representatives are responsible for the development of the town.
Cllr Sean O'Brien said he agreed with Cllr Butterfield. "One of our greatest achievements is Tullamore Town Council's swimming pool and that's built on what was a floodplain, so is the Gaelscoil. If we were to run with popular solutions, we'd do nothing," said Cllr O'Brien.
Cllr Lar Byrne said with proper defences, he would agree with the development of floodplains. Meanwhile Cllr Danny Owens said they had looked for expert advice and a FRAM study (Tullamore Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study) on the development of floodplains.
"Based on the information given on assurances with proper mitigation measures in place, we could develop that property. There are enough checks and balances," said Cllr Owens.
Cllr Tommy McKeigue said he was 40 years in Tullamore and in this time had seen it flood four times."Why are we going into floodplains?" he asked.
Cllr Dervill Dolan said he still didn't agree with zoning floodplains for development. He said while Cllr Butterfield had seen lands reclaimed, this was for agricultural purposes, which was very different.
"Homes, shops and businesses have been devastated as a result of floods. The value of their property is worthless, they are unlikely to get insurance again. The consequences for people caught up in this is very serious," said Cllr Dolan.
Cllr Paddy Rowland said he would be supporting development on floodplains.
County Manager Pat Gallagher said he had hoped to get an indication from members as to which option they preferred. However, no indication was agreed upon and it was agreed to revisit the topic at the next joint meeting.
