Latest News & Announcements

21st June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford City & County Council elects new Mayor at Annual General Meeting

Cllr Jason Murphy is elected Mayor of Waterford The newly elected Waterford City & County Council held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, 21st June, at City Hall, Waterford marking the beginning of a five-year term for the new membership, following the Local Elections of June 7th.

The AGM saw the election of Cllr. Jason Murphy of Fianna Fáil as the new Mayor of Waterford City & County, alongside the appointment of a new Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adam Wyse of the same party.

Cllr. Murphy was proposed by Cllr. Wyse and seconded by Cllr. Lola O’Sullivan (FG), and his appointment comes after previously having served as Mayor for the Metropolitan District of Waterford City.

The AGM was attended by all 32 Council members, the Council executive, Matt Shanahan TD, several former Oireachtas members, clergy mambers including Bishop Cullinane, and several former mayors. The Council Chamber’s public gallery was full to capacity with family members and well-wishers of those elected.

During the meeting, the newly elected Mayor thanked all present for the honour and expressed his gratitude towards voters at the recent local elections. He also thanked his family for their support, as well as the outgoing mayor Cllr. Joe Conway, promising to work diligently to represent Waterford and address the concerns of all constituents.

He said, “I am honoured to take on the role of Mayor of this great City & County. I am committed to continuing the work of my predecessors and representing all the people of Waterford from Tallow in the west to Dunmore in the East.”

Cllrs. Murphy, Wyse and each political grouping added their sentiments and best wishes to those of the outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Joe Conway. In his outgoing address, Cllr. Conway bid a warm welcome to the newly elected Councillors present (7), noting that the Council now had a broad range of experience on which to draw, with 2 former Councillors regaining their seats, as well as some first-time public representatives. “We are grateful to have such high-calibre members joining the Council,” he said.

Speaking briefly on his election to the office of Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Adam Wyse said “It is a privilege to be elected as Deputy Mayor and I look forward to working alongside Cllr. Murphy to address the needs of our constituents and make a positive impact on our city and county.”

This year’s AGM was particularly noteworthy as it followed the recent local elections, which resulted in the addition of seven new councillors to the Council. At the same time, five sitting Councillors lost their seats, and two sitting Councillors did not stand for re-election, whereas two former Councillors regained their seats.

The term of the Mayoralty in Waterford lasts for one year.

Ends

Photo: Cllr. Jason Murphy, pictured with family members, on his election to the position of Plenary Mayor of Waterford.

For further information, please contact: Waterford City & County Council’s Communications team on communications@waterfordcouncil.ie

20th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Reminder: Abbey Road, Ferrybank – Temporary Road Closure

Abbey Road – Temporary Road Closure

From June 28^th to August 16^th 2024, Abbey Road will be closed, and traffic will be diverted to the N29/Port Road.

The North Quays Public Infrastructure works are funded with a public investment of €207m, including €100.6m of Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) funding and following cabinet approval, a further €70m from the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The works include enhanced multi-modal access routes, a public transport hub including the relocation of Waterford train station to the North Quays, a sustainable transport bridge and extensive flood defence system.

The sustainable transport bridge will link the relocated train station to new walking and cycling infrastructure. These works, through the delivery of enhanced and integrated sustainable and active travel infrastructure, will reduce the reliance on private car and facilitate alternative modes of transport for those accessing the city centre.

Separate contracts for new foul and stormwater pumping stations in Ferrybank are now completed.

The next phase of road infrastructure works will proceed to the Abbey Road area in Ferrybank. Deep excavation work on Abbey Road necessitates a temporary road closure. To minimise disruption, these works have been scheduled during the school summer holidays. Local access will be facilitated to those living within the closed area (see red dots above) but no through traffic is permitted.

From June 28^th to August 16^th 2024, Abbey Road will be closed, and traffic will be diverted to the N29/Port Road. Please follow all directional signage and utilise designated pedestrian crossings.

Waterford City and County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

-ends-

18th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Waterford PPN Celebrates a Decade Long Service to Communities

PPN logo Waterford Public Participation Network is the designated networking and representational body of community groups, organisation & clubs etc. in Waterford City & County.

This year sees PPNs nationally reach ten years in existence and this week we at Waterford PPN honour the decade long service we have provided to communities across Waterford.

Muriel Tobin, Waterford PPN Coordinator, expressed gratitude.

“I am very fortunate to have been with Waterford PPN since its inception and witnessed our community’s remarkable growth, resilience and cohesion in some challenging times. Our partnerships with Waterford City & County Council, Elected Reps, PPN Reps and collaborators has strengthened over the past decade making Waterford a great place to live, work and visit. A heartfelt thanks to our members, passed & present Secretariat members, representatives & staff, Waterford City & County Council and the DRCD for a decade of support”.

With us representing and supporting the voice of over 700 member groups, this at the very least represents 5,000 people engaged in community activity within the Waterford PPN family in our County.

Economically, volunteers contribute greatly to the fabric of Irish society and, at a low valuation of €15 per hour, we can estimate a conservative contribution of these Waterford volunteers among PPN members at €3.9 million per year, if they only volunteer 1 hour per week each, and most do more than this.

PPNs were established under The Local Government Act 2014 and has grown from 11,962 groups to 19,950 in 2023, echoing our growth. This is a monumental representation of community activity in our state and has been led by PPNs in providing empowerment and voice at a local level, providing training, funding information and consultations to the community.

Waterford PPN have over 50 reps sitting on Waterford City & County Council committees and other non-LA Boards representing the community & voluntary voice of Waterford and the community has greatly benefited from the dedication of representatives over the past decade. If you are interested in representing your community on Waterford City & County Council boards/committees then check out the vacancies page on our website and our members newsletters.

Frank Nolan, Waterford PPN Secretariat Committee said,

“During my tenure as a member of the PPN Secretariat, it has been a pleasure serving Community Groups across Waterford. Over the past decade, I’ve seen the tremendous benefits. The PPN is a central community hub, supporting our diverse and vibrant county. Waterford City & County Council has been our main partner, and we look forward to continuing our excellent relationship to provide first-class voluntary service, support, information, and guidance”.

This year we are also celebrating another year of the Community & Voluntary Awards, the only platform in Waterford that recognises and celebrates the commitment and vibrancy of the community and voluntary sector and the value of the voluntary contribution made by community and voluntary groups and volunteers.

Sinéad Breathnach, SEO, Community & Sports Department, Waterford City & County Council said,

“Congratulations to Waterford PPN on a successful and effective 10-year tenure here in Waterford. The PPN is the main link through which Waterford City & County Council connects with the community, voluntary, environmental, and social inclusion sectors and is a valued key stakeholder and partner in enabling communities to part-take in policy formation and overseeing various Council activities. We are very lucky to have such a great secretariat and administrative team working closely and positively with us over the past 10 years, and we look forward to continuing with this successful collaboration into the future.”

Funding: Community groups/organisations/clubs etc MUST be registered with Waterford PPN to be considered for future local and most national grants, where you will get a unique PPN number that will be required as part of applications. If you haven’t done so already, it is advised that you register as soon as possible. Register online at www.waterfordppn.ie or contact Muriel Tobin or Alison De Paor at waterfordppn@gmail.com , 058 21198/058 21803

“The 10 Year Anniversary of the PPNs will be celebrated Nationally at this year’s National PPN Conference, which will be hosted by Limerick PPN, Limerick City and County Council and supported by the DRCD.

Looking forward, we encourage you and others to join us in continuing the journey to greater inclusion, empowerment, and representation of community interests.

“Together we are stronger”

17th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Phone Line disruption

Phone Lines down Please be advised that our external phone lines, including 0818 10 20 20, are currently experiencing issues.

We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please contact us via email at contact@waterfordcouncil.ie or via our social media channels.

Thank you for your understanding.

17th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Request for Expressions of Interest for provision of social housing through turnkey acquisition

WCCC 24/412 Housing
Request for Expressions of Interest for the provision of social housing through turnkey acquisition

Waterford City & County Council are seeking to purchase 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments and houses for social housing through turnkey developments in Waterford City & County.

Waterford City & County Council are therefore seeking expressions of interest from private developers and building contractors for housing proposals with permissions for 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments and houses or in Waterford City and towns and villages within County Waterford. The properties can be new developments or properties with potential for renewal.

All purchases of social housing must be approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Please note that Waterford City & County Council are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Expressions of Interest Forms are available from the Housing Section, Waterford City & County Council, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford or can be downloaded below.

Expressions of Interest must be returned clearly marked WCCC 24/412 Housing to:

WCCC 24/412 Housing, Tender Box, Waterford City & County Council, Customer Services, Baileys New Street, Waterford.

The closing date for this Expression of Interest is 05/07/2024.

Download Form & Information Booklet

WCCC 24/413 Housing
Request for Expressions of Interest for the provision of affordable housing through advance purchase turnkey acquisition

Waterford City & County Council are seeking expressions of interest for the delivery of new dwellings for affordable housing in Waterford City, in accordance with the provisions of The Affordable Housing Act 2021.

In this call, home builders and housing developers are being asked to consider offering properties with planning permission to local authorities under an advance purchase turnkey arrangement. Payment will be on completion. Please note that the requirements under Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended will apply in the normal way to all proposals.

The Affordable Housing Act 2021 provides for Local Authorities to acquire, build or cause to be built, affordable dwellings that can be subsequently sold to eligible applicants (assessed by Waterford City & County Council) through direct sales agreements between purchasers and developers.

The Affordable Housing Fund funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will provide a subsidy (based on set criteria as outlined below) that will reduce the cost of a home for first time buyers or those seeking a fresh start. Waterford City & County Council will retain an equity stake of up to 30% of the dwelling.

All submissions made under this Expression of Interest will be assessed and approved by the Housing Agency and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Please note that Waterford City & County Council are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

Expressions of Interest Forms are available from the Housing Section, Waterford City & County Council, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford or can be downloaded from below.

Expressions of Interest must be returned clearly marked WCCC 24/413/Housing to:

WCCC 24/413/Housing, Tender Box, Waterford City & County Council, Customer Services, Baileys New Street, Waterford.

The closing date for this Expression of Interest is 05/07/2024.

Download Form & Information Booklet

14th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Project Team Working on Delivering a New Greenway Between Dungarvan and Mallow, to Broaden the Study Area

Project team working on delivering a new greenway between Dungarvan and Mallow explores the potential for the Greenway to support sustainable travel.

Cork County Council and Waterford City & County Council in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, have today confirmed that an additional feasibility study will be undertaken on the Dungarvan to Mallow Greenway.

The option selection process is a critical decision-making point and before further advancing and closing out this process, the decision has been taken to re-assess the feasible options between Dungarvan and Mallow. The project team will use the summer months to take stock of the strategic plan for the project to ensure that it is in the best possible position to progress successfully through the future planning process and onwards to delivery. The feasibility review will also ensure that the project remains consistent with updated national policies.

In addition to creating a tourism experience that supports the economic development of the region, this much anticipated green infrastructure has the potential to connect communities with key places of work, study and recreation. The use of historic infrastructure and existing built heritage to link people with their local population centres, sports pitches, and schools is an important objective of this green initiative.

Given the further development of national policy in relation to providing safe and segregated sustainable transport options, the project team will review the study area to ensure that the objectives of connecting local communities to key services and enabling a modal shift are fully utilised on the project.

Upon completion of the feasibility study, and subject to continued funding availability, it is anticipated that the scheme will progress to design and environmental evaluation, prior to seeking planning consent. This approach is consistent with new Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) guidelines and with their support, Cork County Council and Waterford City & County Council are committed to developing this critical green infrastructure.

We wish to thank the community stakeholders across County Waterford and County Cork who have taken time to engage with the Project Team. This local knowledge has been invaluable in informing the evolution of this greenway project. We appreciate the robustness of this engagement, and we will continue to work closely with the community as we widen out the study area to explore multiple options.

As the project develops, project updates will be available at Mallow to Dungarvan Greenway – The Cork National Roads Office (NRO) (corkrdo.ie) and any future public consultations on the study area will be advertised in due course.

12th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Abbey Road, Ferrybank – Temporary Road Closure

Abbey Road – Temporary Road Closure

From June 28^th to August 16^th 2024, Abbey Road will be closed, and traffic will be diverted to the N29/Port Road.

Separate contracts for new foul and stormwater pumping stations in Ferrybank are now completed.

From June 28^th to August 16^th 2024, Abbey Road will be closed, and traffic will be diverted to the N29/Port Road. Please follow all directional signage and utilise designated pedestrian crossings.

Waterford City and County Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.

-ends-

12th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Lismore Park – Accessible Neighbourhood Project

12th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Phone Line disruption

Phone Lines down UPDATE: 9:44am – Phone lines are back working.

Please be advised that our external phone lines, including 0818 10 20 20, are currently experiencing issues.

We are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please contact us via email at contact@waterfordcouncil.ie or via our social media channels.

Thank you for your understanding.

11th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

Anne Valley Walk – temporary closure

Anne Valley walk

Due to essential maintenance works, part of the Anne Valley Walk will be temporarily closed, Monday to Friday until the end of June.

Closure Details:

Closed Section: Main car park to Castle car park
Open Section: Castle car park to Annestown remains accessible

Closure Period: Monday to Friday until the end of June.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank you for your understanding.

11th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council

GIY Ireland wins the 2024 Waterford Digital Awards

Waterford Local Enterprise Office, together with Waterford City & County Council are pleased to announce GIY Ireland as their 2024 Waterford Digital Awards Overall Winner.

The ceremony, which took place at Dooley’s Hotel on Friday 7^th June, aimed to recognise and reward SMEs based in County Waterford who have developed their ecommerce and digital platforms as part of their product offering. The awards were open to all businesses with less than 50 full time employees based in County Waterford.

GIY Ireland, the overall winner, empowers individuals globally to lead healthier and more sustainable lives by growing some of their own food. Its goal is to inspire over 100 million people by 2030, to engage in food growing at home, school, work, and within their community. Its aim is to foster a global community of food growers to contribute to a sustainable food system.

Michael Kelly, founder, was obviously delighted to win the award, “Delivering educational content via our digital channels is a critical activity to drive people towards new behaviours around food, particularly encouraging them to grow some of their own food. We’re so proud that these efforts have been rewarded today. We’d like to thank the team at the LEO for all its help over the years.”

The winners of each award category were:

Best Business to Business Website

Street Art Ink

Best Business to Customer Website

Irina Duane Photography

Best E Commerce Website

Wrapped in Kindness

Best Export Website

Klearcom

Best in social media

GIY Ireland

The winner of each category received €1,000 towards technical advice, photography, videography and marketing. The overall winner received €2,500 in cash.

Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Waterford was delighted with the quality and standard of entries, “This is our 3^rd Digital Awards and my first. Having spoken to the judges during the process, they were extremely impressed with the quality and quantity of entries. Being home to the oldest City in Ireland, Waterford has been and is an innovative county having to adapt many times. It’s great to see that innovative spirit continue with another fresh group of entries and winners, demonstrating the amazing talent we have, and what a great place Waterford is for new ideas.

“The training and Trading Online Vouchers enable our clients to transition to a model of digital sales and added promotional platforms. These developments reaped financial rewards for many, not to mention ensuring an income stream and growth over the years. The awards are just icing on the cake, and an opportunity to give them some public acclaim.”

For further information follow this link www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford, contact LEO Waterford at 051 849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie

10th June 2024

By Waterford City & County Council