Chapter 14 Climate change energy and reusable resources
14.4 “support electric vehicle charging points”
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
To add:
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Charging points for electric vehicles should be increased. They should be in every village and town in a public place. As Kinvara is a gateway to the Burren visitors need the reassurance that they can charge their vehicle if they are deciding to travel here for tourism. Additionally the provision of low chargers for overnight charging plugging into Lampposts as in other countries to allow for on street charging for those living on the main streets/in apartments/staying overnight in accommodation with no charger facility where there is no option for permanent charger placement due to space should be included.
Rationale:
This makes a specific commitment rather than a vague aspiration to an absolute essential future need.
Chapter 14 Climate change energy and reusable resources
14.4 “to support energy efficient building design”
Building regulations should be enforced to ensure as close as possible to zero energy loss in new and renovated homes, offices, and business buildings and this should be inspected by a neutral energy specialist employed by Galway County Council who would sign off on these buildings.
Rationale:
Compulsory certification of all new and renovated buildings is the most reliable way of ensuring that the cost of subsequent retrofitting is not necessary. Energy efficiency measures at the building stage should be the default system.
Chapter 14 Climate change energy and renewable resources.
14.8.1 To facilitate and support appropriate levels of renewable energy generation in Co Galway. Introduction Section 1.2.1
Mandatory objectives include zoning of land for particular purposes
Chapter 9 Marine and coastal management. 9.12 « support of the policy to have sustainable offshore renewable energy generation off the Co Galway coast »
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
To add:
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We request that land should be zoned for infrastructure for renewable energy in Kinvara as a coastal village to support renewable energy projects whether wind or solar or wave/tidal. Land should be likewise zoned for infrastructure that might be available in the future to support all renewable energy projects in all the towns and villages of County Galway.
Rationale:
This is not included in the Development plan and should be as the plan supports zoning and Renewable energy projects which will need infrastructure to support them.
Section of the Draft Development Plan
Under section 14.8.1 LARES, Subsection: Policy objectives renewable energy, Part RE4
Addition to be made at end of paragraph
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
“Support the provision and installation of Hybrid and constructive technological and generational facilities on community owned solar array sites in Galway, to augment green generation of renewable powers and give good value for state funding on projects under the capital RESS community programme in non- solar production hours”
Rationale:
This will allow state supported Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) community owned renewable energy projects to fulfil the full capital potential of the behind meter infrastructure required within the national transmission system. These community owned facilities will also act as green energy dissemination examples in the region the county and the Irish State. Provide a faster ROI and thus benefit community facilities and services and voluntary committees through the benefit fund to which it is a legal requirement.
Section of the Draft Development Plan
Under section 14.8.1 LARES, Subsection: Policy objectives renewable energy, Part RE7
Addition to be made at end of paragraph
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
“To promote, disseminate, and exemplify low carbon circular economies by use of good citizen Community examples through the RESS, SEC and low carbon communities which would be profiled and promoted by the county council through the connected Hubs infrastructure within the county.
This should be exampled through differing sized communities such as a village setting Hub eg. H54AY02, a large town setting,
Rationale:
The council by partnering and supporting with successful RESS community projects, SEC’S and low carbon communities through the voluntary BCP or Connected Hub Network, county wide will promote the green deal agenda as set out for connected communities in the NPF, RESS, EU directives and legislation on the seven pillared green deal process and the seventeen SDG’s of the UN
Section of the Draft Development Plan
Under section 14.8.1 LARES. Subsection: Policy objectives renewable energy, Part RE1
Addition to be made at end of paragraph
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
Particular emphasis will be placed on the promotion and assistance of community owned and targeted projects through the RESS or other similar programmes I.E. Micro generation and hybrid augmented for green energies that are community owned E.G Micro Hydro, Pro-consumer, and virtual power plants
Rationale:
To close the circle of generation usage and climate responsibility by communities for communities.
14.2. Strategic Aims. “To reduce the County’s CO2 emissions by achieving national, regional and any local targets for achieving a low carbon economy by 2050; ...” (p.263)
Proposed amendment and inclusion:
To maintain up to date adherence to global agreements and international scientific advice by adding the word ‘international’ , and reducing the timeframe to 2030, so that it reads: “To reduce the County’s CO2 emissions by achieving international, national, regional and any local targets for achieving a low carbon economy by 2030”
Rationale:
In 2018, a UN report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, stated that we only had 12 years in which to reduce our carbon emissions sufficiently to prevent global warming going above 1.5 degrees, leading to catastrophic consequences. The report recommended that we cut our carbon emissions by at least 45% by the year 2030, just two years after the life-span of this plan.
The Paris Agreement of 2016 aims to keep global temperature rise to between 1.5 and 2.0 degrees. (Art.2). It also allows for a ‘Global Stocktake’ (Art.14) in 2023 which may lead to international pressure requiring us to work harder to reduce carbon emissions.
Sustainable Development Goal 13, also agreed internationally, includes a commitment to “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact”, while acknowledging that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is the primary international, intergovernmental forum for negotiating the global response to climate change.
Leaving the target date for achieving a low enough carbon economy as late as 2050, is not a guarantee that any urgent action will be taken in the short term, and so adequately respond to climate change within the remit of this Development Plan e.g., 2022 -2028. (https://sdgs.un.org/topics/climate-change)
Table 14.3 Climate Action Policy Objectives incorporated into the County Development Plan. p.270. CC 10 Green Infrastructure “Galway County Council shall promote the benefit of open spaces and implement the integration of green infrastructure/networks (e.g. interconnected network of green spaces (including aquatic ecosystems) and other physical features on land) into new development and regeneration proposals in order to mitigate and adapt to climate change.”
Also
SGT 8 Open Space, Recreation and Amenity p. 13 “Promote the sustainable management, use and/or development, as appropriate, of the OS lands. This will include: a). Development of open spaces and recreational activities, in accordance with best practice and on suitable lands with adequate access to the local community and retain existing open space and recreational facilities, unless it can be clearly demonstrated to the satisfaction of Galway County Council that these uses are no longer required by the community; “
Also:
Small Growth Town Headford 6.1 Land use Zoning Policy Objectivess for Headford, specifically:
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HSGT 3. Community Facilities and Services p.30 “Promote the development of community facilities on suitable lands/sites, in Headford with a high level of access to the local community, including educational, community, civic, public, institutional, recreational, cultural and other complementary uses, as appropriate.”
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HSGT 8. Mart Road Action Area Plan p.31
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HSGT 9. New Business and Enterprise Quarter p.31
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
In accordance with the above policies, we would like to see provision for a town park in each small settlement in County Galway.
Specifically to Headford, there is significant support for this among the community and an area has been identified at the Community Garden/Men’s’ Shed Garden and the area formerly used as a Pitch and Putt.
Galway Advertiser article at https://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/121656/exciting-community-park-and-gardens-space-proposed-for-headford
Group Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Park/Headford-Park-and-Gardens-102352261981041/
Rationale:
This would strongly align with:
SDG 3, Good Health and Wellbeing: “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages” SDG 11, Sustainable Communities: “Make cities and human development inclusive safe, resilient and sustainable”
SDG 13, Climate Action: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects”
SDG 15, Life on Land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
This action would also comply with present government policy on rural Ireland 'Our Rural Future' Rural Development Policy 2021 – 2025. On page 15, under Revitalising Rural Towns and Villages, it states “Identify potential State owned properties in rural towns and villages which can be used for community purposes.” and a further point, “Invest significantly in the development of parks, green spaces and recreational amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment, and to increase footfall for local businesses.”
Section 14, Table 14.3
Proposed inclusion:
No mention is made of the need to improve the grid structure in order to allow the feed-in of new renewable generated electricity supplies. There are regions in Co. Galway which do not have adequate structures to permit the installation of any new wind, solar or tidal generation systems despite the existing structures that encourage the initiation of such schemes by local communities. Hence, this section needs a strong recommendation that suitable feed-in points are supplied throughout the county.
Section 14.4 Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
“Galway County Council is committed to making the transition to becoming a low carbon and climate resilient County, promoting the economic, social and environmental benefits of low carbon development, with an emphasis on the reduction in energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. This includes a combination of effective mitigation and adaptation responses to climate change as can be seen in the tables 14.1 and 14.2 “
In these tables it lists climate mitigation measures which align strategically with the goals of the Ballinasloe SEC. However the descriptive wording of the text describes the role of Galway CoCo as one of “support and promote”. Who are Galway CoCo supporting? Exactly how will they provide this support? What financial budgets are in place to provide this support? What promotion will be carried out? In what timeframe will all this support be provided? Timelines referenced in the draft document include 2030 and 2050 mostly. However the CDP is 2022-2028. Clear timeline focus must be addressed by Galway CoCo.
Section 14.3 Strategic Context
Proposed amendment or inclusion:
“Prepared in the context of International, National and Regional Plans, Policies and Guidelines:”
This is all very well and good, however it will be a time-critical missed opportunity if specific projects and plans are not identified locally to address climate mitigation measures.
SEC’s are empowered citizens and communities at the centre of our sustainable energy transition and are best placed to drive these measures. We would like to see a specific commitment from Galway CoCo to collaborate with the SECs.
While each individual SEC will have their own unique projects, there will be a huge crossover of similar plans and projects which could be addressed as a network.
As part of this Draft County Development Plan we would urge Galway CoCo to consider signing up to a “Local hinterland Climate Action Charter” with member SEC’s to deliver local adaption strategies and measures. We believe this will produce tangible results for both Galway CoCo and member SEC’s
Rationale:
We believe collaboration with Galway County Council and our SEC would lay very solid foundations for the future but without it the Draft County Development will merely remain a narrative body of work. We urge you to consider our submission and we can commit to working tirelessly with Galway CoCo to fulfill our ambitions of becoming a sustainable community and county.
Sustainable Energy West has a strong connection with SEAI and it has helped in many ways in the establishment of this SEC. The five main areas of interest set out in SEW’s plan include many of the areas set out in the Draft Galway County Development Plan 2022 – 2028. SEW committee are keen to work on several areas including:
Transport: This is an area of interest for all citizens living within the catchment area of SEW. We propose the following to be researched and included in draft.
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Electric vehicles/bikes and charge points. The introduction of this type of transport will help in reducing emissions, alleviate traffic from heavily traffic areas and encourage people to get involved in alternative transport
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More charge points within the town and outside in villages
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Roads and footpaths need to be maintained and constructed to allow children to walk/cycle to school
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Cycle paths need to be put in place within the town and outskirts
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In agreement with an overall revised public transport service for all
Rationale: Connecting communities through enhancing existing facilities and providing better infrastructure can only be good for the citizens
Tourism: A Marketing/Promotional group needs to be established for Loughrea and surrounds as an attractive Tourist destination. There are many interesting and exciting features hidden away and if a trail was established for the locals and tourists, it would generate income for the area.
There is a wealth of history and beauty spots in this area that needs to be highlighted and promoted. The Town Hall, Walks, Temperance Hall, Old castles/Ruins, Rivers and many more features.
Small cottage industries to be promoted.
Rationale: Making people aware of what is available in their locality and promoting it on a county level will generate wealth in the community and drive tourists into the areas.
Biodiversity: A huge area of interest that perhaps doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
An educational programme to be devised and put in place in all schools from primary to secondary, teaching native plants and trees, wildlife, ecosystems, old historical walls, and buildings.
Agreement with protecting, restoring, and promoting old farm homesteads. Create them as tourist hubs and provide special incentives to the owners for their restoration other that what is available now through the farm schemes.
Rationale: Start with the young people and promote learning in this area among them.
Arts and Culture: It is well known that Co Galway is renowned for being top of the game in arts and culture.
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Small groups throughout the County play a vital part in helping promote the arts and culture in their villages. This should be encouraged, and more funding made available for these initiatives.
Collaboration: Small villages and communities need help in connecting with each other for the purpose of learning and sharing ideas and knowledge. A network needs to be put in place for people to be able to support each other and not feel excluded.
Proper supports and funding should be put in place to allow this to happen.
Connecting Communities is essential for all to work together with a common goal and for the betterment of the people who Live – Work – Visit.