High Quality & Sustainable Environment

High Quality & Sustainable Environment

Waterford is recognised as a County that enjoys a quality environment rich in natural amenities, and with ecological diversity hosting a wealth of flora and fauna.  In addition, the County’s built heritage is characterised by a range of important structures which have achieved international recognition.  This provides local communities and tourists alike with an excellent environment to appreciate and enjoy.  County Waterford has a wide and varied heritage, culture, and history that has helped to shape the environment and the lives of its citizens. Waterford County Local Authorities are committed to ensuring growth and development in a sustainable manner which will ensure that the environment is protected and preserved future generations.

Waterford County Council is at the forefront of sustainable development.  The Council is the first in Ireland to adopt a Climate Change Strategy, which clearly sets out a suite of initiatives designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Local Authority.  This initiative will be rolled out to the broader community, with the development and advocacy of renewable energy technologies and waste reduction among the County’s communities and businesses.

Waterford County Local Authorities play a key role in sustaining the natural and built environment, while accommodating development and providing a range of services to local communities.   Sympathetic sustainable development can only be achieved by active co-operation at community level.  Thus, Waterford County Local Authorities will strive to create sustainable communities which protect the natural environment.  To work towards this long term goal, Waterford County Local Authorities will implement a range of strategies over the period of the Corporate Plan. 

Strategic Goal 1 - To implement aspects of national / international polices / strategies relating to climate change where applicable to Waterford County Council

Objectives:

• Implementation of all aspects of the Waterford County Council Climate Change Strategy 2008 – 2012;
  
  
• Targeting the implementation of measures / practices which will result in Local Authority CO2 reductions of 33% by 2020.

Strategic Goal 2 - Protect and promote the highest achievable standards of water quality

Objectives:

• Continue to implement the requirements of the Water Framework Directive;
  
  
• Provide potable drinking water to the residents of the county in accordance with the relevant regulations;
  
  
• Protect the environment by regulating and minimising the impact of waste water treatment facilities;
  
  
• Control pollution by inspecting and regulating land use impacts thus minimising potential negative effects;
  
  
• Provide new infrastructure as required to meet the development needs of the County.

Strategic Goal 3 - Promote sustainable waste management strategies in accordance with the waste management hierarchy i.e. prevention, reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery and disposal      
     
Objectives:

• Develop an environmental education and awareness programme incorporating specific initiatives aimed at schools, community groups and the wider public;
  
  
• Pursue a strong environmental enforcement policy with regard to unauthorised waste and litter through scheduled and unscheduled inspections;
  
  
• Manage the collection, movement and disposal of waste, in addition to litter management operations, to the maximum environmental and transparency standards.

Strategic Goal 4- Ensure the highest achievable standards of Air Quality

Objectives:

• Promote through Education, Awareness and Enforcement the highest achievable air quality standards throughout the County.

 
Strategic Goal 5 - Promote sustainable transport objectives

Objectives

• Ensure inclusion of cycle lanes on all new urban connector roads
  
  
• Devise a programme to retrofit cycle lanes on school routes
  
  
• Explore potential for ‘e-working’ opportunities with a view to reducing car use
  
  
• Examine potential for conversion of Council fleet to bio-fuel
  
  
• Maximise use of Déise Link Community Transport
  
  
• Promote workplace travel planning, car pooling and car sharing
  
  
• Implement active traffic management to limit car use
  
  
• Ensure use of Joulesave software on all new road design projects

Strategic Goal 6 - Implement the development objectives and policies set out in the County Development Plan 2005-2011 and subsequent adopted plans

Objectives:

• Develop and progress a range of plans, schemes, frameworks and guidelines to direct future balanced and sustainable development throughout the county;
  
  
• Continue to promote the highest standards of development through proactive monitoring and planning enforcement;
  
  
• Interact with the community throughout the planning process by facilitating consultation and access to information through innovative use of technology;
  
  
• Consult with the various stakeholder organisations regarding the needs of new and developing communities.

Strategic Goal 7 - The provision of sustainable and high quality social and affordable housing

Objectives:

• Maintain and develop appropriate programmes for the management, maintenance and general improvement of Waterford County Local Authorities housing stock;
  
  
• Coordinate with residents, local and community groups to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility with the aim of developing a socially inclusive society.

Strategic Goal 8 - To ensure the conservation of Waterford’s archaeological, built, cultural and natural heritage

Objectives:

• Work in partnership through the County Heritage Forum to promote awareness, best management practice and access to heritage;
  
  
• Ensure comprehensive assessment of impacts on heritage and biodiversity in the planning process through Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Directive Assessment where appropriate;
  
  
• Positively encourage and facilitate the sympathetic refurbishment of the historic built environment of the County for sustainable and economically viable uses by adopting a partnership approach;
  
  
• Implement the Library Development Plan, , Heritage Plan, Biodiversity Plan, Archives Plan and Irish Plan;
  
  
• Place all knowledge interpreted from archaeological and architectural sources in the public domain;

Strategic Goal 9 - Complete poverty proofing of plans, strategies, policies and the implementation of the National Anti Poverty Strategy.

Objectives:

• Ensure the delivery of the CDB/Social Inclusion Action Plan with particular reference to the actions led by Waterford County Council by development and implementation of an in-house social inclusion action plan;
• Continue to implement the Disability Act and integrate sectoral plans.

Strategic Goal 10 - Enhance Local Democracy and Community Development

Objectives:

• Promote the active involvement of the community through consultation and a partnership approach, and in collaboration with the County Community Forum, in the delivery of social, cultural and economic projects;
  
  
• Promote community building and diversity through programmes of learning, cultural and artistic expression;
  
  
• Support the provision of social infrastructure in partnership with voluntary and community agencies including the development of a Sports and Recreation Strategy;
  
  
• Promote health-based Sports Tourism such as the Sean Kelly Tour, John Treacy Run and Waterford Festival of Food