Submission to Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy - Cork … · 2019-03-15 · Cork Airport ......

Submission to Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

March 2019

CorkChamber.ie

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Contents Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2

CorkChamberConsultationProcess..................................................................................................2

ExecutiveSummary................................................................................................................................3

ChamberVisionforCork2040...........................................................................................................3

KeyPoints...........................................................................................................................................3

CentralpositionofCityRegions.............................................................................................................5

RSESDecisionMakingandImplementationProcess..............................................................................6

ImplementationandMonitoringofIreland2040..................................................................................7

Infrastructure.....................................................................................................................................7

CompactGrowthandHighDensity........................................................................................................8

PublicRealm&CulturalSpace...............................................................................................................9

InternationalConnectivity....................................................................................................................10

CorkAirport......................................................................................................................................10

PortofCork......................................................................................................................................11

PublicTransport...................................................................................................................................12

Jobsofthefuture-BuildinganAdaptableEconomy...........................................................................13

Connectivity......................................................................................................................................13

Education..........................................................................................................................................14

HealthCentreofExcellence.............................................................................................................15

Counter-Cyclicalinvestment................................................................................................................15

Energy,ClimateChangeMitigationandtheCircularEconomy............................................................16

CommercialRenewableEnergyDeployment...................................................................................16

De-carbonisingHeat&DistrictHeating............................................................................................17

De-carbonisingtheTransportSector...............................................................................................18

De-carbonisingtheAgricultureSector.............................................................................................19

ResourceEfficiency–FurtherObservations.................................................................................19

CircularEconomy/Waste..................................................................................................................20

Conclusion............................................................................................................................................20

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Introduction Cork Chamber is the leading business organisation in Cork, proactively working to identify andprogress developments that are facilitative of economic and sustainable growth. Representing anemployer base of close to 1,200 businesses and over 100,000 employees across the region, ourvisionistomakeCorkthebestplaceforbusiness.In representing the voice of business, we take this opportunity to restate the support of CorkChamber to the development of a strong and actionable vision for Cork and thewider SouthernRegion,andwebelievethattheRegionalSpatialandEconomicStrategy(RSES)canbetheopportunepolicyvehicletoensureacoordinatedandcomprehensiveroadmaptodeliverforeconomic,socialandenvironmentalpriorities.WecommendtheSouthernRegionalAssemblyfortheirworkandengagementtodateindevelopingthe draft RSES along with the level of public engagement as part of the consultation phase.Wewelcome this opportunity to submit observations which are aimed at further strengthening thefundamentals of the RSES and its efficacy as a policy and development framework for the futuresustainablegrowthoftheSouthernRegion.As part of our submission formulation, Cork Chamber has attended a range of RSES relatedpresentationsandworkshopstoensuretherobustnessandreflectivenesswithinourobservations.Wehaveengagedwithourmemberstocapturetheprioritiesofbusinessfromaneconomicgrowth,technologyandenergy, skills attractionand retention,placemaking,environmental,qualityof life,socialandcommunityperspective.

CorkChamberConsultationProcessIndevelopingoursubmissionwetookanumberofstepsincluding;

1. AnnBogan,CorkCityCouncilpresentationtoCorkChamberPublicAffairsCouncil2. IrishPlanningInstituteWorkshopattendance3. SouthernRegionalAssemblyworkshopattendance4. Stakeholderoutreachtobusinessesandexternalgroups5. InternalworkshopwithChamberPublicAffairsCouncilandourThoughtLeadersCouncil.

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Executive Summary ChamberVisionforCork2040TheChamber’svisionforCorkisalignedwiththejointstakeholderdocument‘Cork2050-RealisingtheFullPotential’.Thevisionisforavibranthigh-densitycityregionservicedbyqualityNorth-SouthandEast-Westtransportcorridors.Connectedregionally,nationallyandinternationallyCorkishometoahealthy,sustainable,educated,skilled,confident,andentrepreneurialcommunity.

AsIreland’ssecondcityregion,Corkwillcontinuetogrow,enhancingitsscaleandeconomicvalue,actingasthefulcrumandeconomicdriverfortheSouthernRegion,complementingDublintosecurethefutureresilienceof the Irisheconomy.WefullyendorsethepositionofCork,assetout inthedraftSouthernRegionalandSpatialEconomicStrategy,page209:

“Thepopulationof theCorkMetropolitanArea in2016,atover304,000, isalmostone fifthof theSouthern Region’s total population. It is the second largest metropolitan area in the State afterDublinandis largerinscalethantheLimerick-Shannon,GalwayandWaterfordMetropolitanAreascombined.”

TheNPF recognises the scale and criticalmass of Cork as a key differentiator compared to otherlocationswhereitstateswithrespecttotheroleofcitiesthat“CorkisemergingasaninternationalcentreofscaleandiswellplacedtocomplementDublin,butrequiressignificantlyacceleratedandurbanfocusedgrowthtomorefullyachievethisrole”.WemaintainthatthecriticalroleofCorkinfacilitating the Southern Region to meet its population and economic growth targets is carriedthroughtothefinalRSES.

Cork Chamber highlights the criticality that an adopted RSES for the Southern Region engendersflexibility and adaptability, prioritising the development of strengthened economic, societal andenvironmentalpillarstoensuresustainablegrowthandaregionthatmeetstheneedsofitscurrentandfuturegenerations.

It isbelievedthat65%ofchildren joiningtheschoolsystemforthefirst timewillwork inasectorwhichhasn’tbeenthoughtuporinventedyet.TheRSESthereforeneedstoberobustlypremisedonsoundstrategicplanningprioritiesandobjectives.TheRSESmustincludearoadmapidentifyingthekey enablers to ensure a diversity of activities, energy and transport technologies, technologicallyenabled and connected population centres, and business innovation hubs to adopt successfulgrowthmodelsacrossurbanandruralareas.

Inthissubmission,wefocusonidentifyingthekeyenablersofsustainablegrowthanddevelopmentacrosstheSouthernRegion.Ourkeypointsarelistedbelow.These,webelieve,willbecriticaltotheRSESsuccessfullyachievingitsobjectives.

Key Points • The central position of City Regions as economic drivers in Ireland 2040must be carried

throughtotheadoptedRSES.• RSESDecisionMakingandImplementationProcess–ensuringIreland2040isimplemented

andnoterodedovertimeandthattheRSESsupportsthisanddoesnotundermineit• ImplementandMonitorIreland2040-ReinforcementofthealignmentofIreland2040and

thenationalDevelopmentPlanandCork’suniquepositionwithit.(p.209)• Compactgrowthandhighdensity-Creatingofthriving,sustainableculturalandeconomic

hubswhilealsotakingaccountofviability

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• International Connectivity –The critical nature of international connectivity for our openeconomy

• Public Transport - Importance of public and sustainable transport in facilitating stableeconomicgrowth,meetingenvironmentaltargets,andinreducingunsustainabletransport

• Jobsofthefuture-Buildinganeconomyandinfrastructurethatcanadapttothejobsofthefuture. In this respect,weemphasise the importanceofdigital infrastructure, clustersandco-workingsupportstoenableourruralareastoprosper.

• Counter cyclical investment: Importance of continued infrastructural investmentirrespectiveofeconomiccycle.

• Energy, Climate Change Mitigation and the Circular Economy Importance of stateinvestmentinlargescalerenewabledeployment,andcommunity-basedinitiatives.

• Alignment of all public policieswith the vision of Ireland 2040 and the stated strategicprioritiesofaRSES.

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Central position of City Regions The five City Regions of Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford are Ireland’s engines forsustainable economic growth and have been identified as such by Government planning in theNational Planning Framework (NPF), Ireland 2040. Population growth is a significant challenge, aswellasanopportunity,withgrowthof20-25%forDublinand50-60%forCork,Galway,LimerickandWaterford targeted in theNationalPlanningFramework.Toachieve these targets ina sustainableway, we must invest in infrastructure in these cities and support their proper planning anddevelopment.

WhileIreland’sfivecitiesareindifferentstagesoftheirdevelopment,acommonsetofchallengesandopportunitiesforgrowthareshared.TheNPFsetsoutaseriesofobjectivesforthefivecities,includingtargetsandguidelinesforinfrastructure,centresofcommerce,publicrealmandhousingindenselypopulatedurban cores to supportprojectedpopulationgrowth. These targetsneed tobereached for our five cities to compete internationally and to serve their regions to reach theirpotential.

IfthesetargetsaretobereachedinthestatedNPFtimeline,thereneedstobepromptdecisionmakingandactionacrossallareasofdevelopment,and,completecommitmenttothegoalsfromallGovernmentdepartmentsatnational,regionalandindeedlocallevel.

TheChambersofCommerceinthe5cityregionshavecometogetherunderthebannerofCityRegionsIrelandinrecognitionthatthenation’surbancentressharesimilarchallengesandaspirations.Inonevoice,wehaveidentifiedasetofprincipalareasoffocus:infrastructure,housing,planningtoinformpolicymaking,maximisegrowth,andtacklethecommonissuesandopportunitiesinoururbanareas.

With a vision to increase the population of the Southern Region to almost twomillion by 2040,equating to an approximate extra 225,000 people in employment, Cork by virtue of its existingpopulationandmetropolitanlandarearepresentsasignificantproportionofthisfuturegrowth.Thepopulationof theCorkMetropolitanAreas in2016at304,000 is almostone fifthof theSouthernRegion’stotalpopulation,isthesecondlargestmetropolitanareaintheStateafterDublin,largerinscalethanthatLimerick–Shannon,GalwayandWaterfordMetropolitanAreascollectively.Nationalgrowthtargetsseeanestimated283,700populationinCorkCityandsuburbsby2031,withtherestoftheMetropolitanAreagrowingto125,000.

CorkisaCityregionthathastheprovencapacityasaneconomicengine,asalocationwiththescale,capacity,trackrecordandavailablenaturalresourcestodrivethenationalandinternationalagenda.Population growth demands the requisite infrastructure investment to successfully meet thisopportunity.WiththeCorkMetropolitanAreahavingajobsgrowthtargetfor65,000+by2031,itiscriticalthattheCorkCityregion isenabledthroughstrategiccommunications infrastructure,socialinfrastructure, a diversified and resilient energy supply, and public transport corridors connectinghighdensitypopulationcentresandstrategicemploymentareas.

Recommendation:

1. The central positionofCityRegionsas economicdriversmustbe carried through to theadoptedRSES.

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RSES Decision Making and Implementation Process It is critical that the decision making and implementation processes of the Regional Assemblyrelative to the RSES & Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs) do not dilute the integrity ofIreland2040andthevisionitsetsforth.Touseasimpleanalogy,thecompositionoftheAssemblyinits current format can be described as akin to the US Senate, with individual representativesappointedbasedongeographyratherthandensityofpopulation.Tobalancethis,theUSsystemhasa house of representatives, which, broadly speaking, represents the public based on population.Together with the executive office, they create a balanced democratic structure. However, theRegionalAssemblydoesnotcreatethisbalance.AssuchtheeconomicenginesoftheCityRegionsarenotadequatelyrepresentedbytheirscaleandconsequentlyriskbeingundermined.

We are concerned about the under-representation of residents of metropolitan areas in theRegional Assemblies.We propose increasing the number of elected representatives from the fivecity regions to better reflect their populations, and their roles as drivers of regional growth asoutlined in the National Planning Framework. This change to city region representation must becomplementedbychanges to thevotingprocesses for theMASPs.There isademocraticdeficit intheregionalassembliesascurrentlyconstituted,andcityresidentsandtheirinterestsareseriouslyunder-represented,while thoseofmore ruralareasarecomparablyover-represented.WebelievethatwithoutastrongexecutiveandpoliticalvoicefortheMetropolitanRegions,tocoordinatethemakingandimplementationoftheMASPforthecities,thestrategicplanswillnotbeeffective.AstheMASPswilldeterminethedevelopmentofIreland’scitiesintheyearsahead,itisessentialthatthedecision-makingstructuresareproperlyconfiguredfromtheoutset.

WehaveseriousconcernsaboutproposalsforhowtheMASPswillbedraftedanddecidedupon.Aswe understand, decision making sits with the Assembly representatives with input from localauthoritystakeholders.Thismeansthatelectedmembersandofficialsfromoutsideoftheaffectedareawill be able to determine the content ofMASPs, even though their constituentswill not bedirectlyimpactedbytheplan.SinceRegionalAssembliesdonothaveamajorityofurbancouncillors,thisvotingstructuremeansthatmembersfromotherpartsofaregioncouldpotentiallyimplementaMetropolitanAreaStrategicPlanwithout theconsentof themajorityofelected representativesfromthemetropolitanareaconcerned.

Assuch,MASPsthatsettheparametersforimportantdevelopmentswithintheirareas,willnotbedecideduponsolelyby representatives fromtheaffectedarea.This is inimical to theprinciplesofdemocratic decision-making, economic efficiency and good planning. These issues could beaddressed through amendments to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016.Alternatively, they can be addressed via secondary legislation, e.g. by amendment to the LocalGovernmentEstablishmentOrder2014.TheseamendmentswouldnotinanywaynegativelyimpactothercountiesbutwouldallowtheproposedMASPsforcityregionstobemoreeffectiveandmakeRegional Assembly representation fairer andmore proportionate for citizens living in all parts ofeachregion.

Shortofaddressingthisissue,westronglycautionthatwecannotaffordtounderminetheeconomicvalueofCityRegionsintheinterpretationofIreland2040,andtheNDPthrougheithertheRSESortheMASPprocess.

Recommendation:

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1. ReformtheAssemblydecisionmakingstructureonMASPSandmetropolitanrepresentationlevelstoensurethattheobjectivesofIreland2040areimplemented,ratherthanunderminedbytheRSES.

Implementation and Monitoring of Ireland 2040 Infrastructure To support continued investment and business confidence in our City Regions, it is essential thatthere isenhancedtransparency in relationtodelivery timelinesandavailabilityof funding. Ireland2040andtheNationalDevelopmentPlanusefullyendorseprojectsthatwillbecriticalenablersforCorkandtheSouthernRegion,yetthere is limitedvisibilityoftimelinesanddeliverymilestones. Ifwearetobeambitiousandtobedeliveryfocussed,thesedetailsmustbemadeavailablethroughtheRSESandMASPs.Theywillbeessentialfortrust inthedocumentsaseffective instrumentsfordelivery.

Therearemultipleexamplesofnationstatesthattakethisapproachandwebelievethatitwouldbehugely beneficial for investor certainty and for the continuity of counter-cyclical spend duringchallengingeconomiccycles.NewSouthWales1, forexample,hasareadilyavailable infrastructuretrackerdashboard,whichshowsthestageofprojectdevelopment, thecost, thetimelinesandtheresponsiblepartyamongotherdetails.ItiscriticalthattheRSEStakesasimilarapproachbuildingontheinitialstepstakenbyDPER.

Reference:InfrastructureNSW,independentstatutoryagency

Relatingtospecificinfrastructureprojects,improvedconnectivityfromCorktoLimerick,Waterfordand the Southern Region will require investment in the Dunkettle Interchange, the M20 andNorthern Ring Road, theN22 (including the corridor between Ballincollig andMacroom), and theN25,encouragingfurthercollaborationanddrivinggrowth intheSouthernRegion.Thedeliveryof

1Seehttp://www.infrastructure.nsw.gov.au/expert-advice/pipeline-of-projects/forfurtherinsight.

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theM28iscriticaltothecontinuedsuccessoftheglobalclusterofeconomicactivitythathasbeenlongestablishedinRingaskiddy.

The full implementation of Bus Connects, the City Centre Movement Strategy, the Little IslandTransportStrategy,openingofKilbarrytrainstation, increasedfrequencyofrushhourrailandbusservices, extension of the Coke Bike Scheme, and the implementation of the Cork CycleNetworkPlan,areessentialtotransformourpublictransportprovisionandtocatalyseachangeincommuterpatterns and mode. Commuters require this step change in service provision and infrastructure.WithoutthiswearelimitingtheadoptionofsustainablecommutingpatternsandbehavioursaswellascurtailingthesustainableandhealthygrowthofourCityregions.

In addition, Project Ireland 2040 confirms the need to invest in Cork’s social and healthinfrastructure, includingCorkEventsCentre,anewgeneralhospital,electiveonlyhospital,primarycarecentres,andadentalschool.

These major infrastructure proposals are not only of regional importance, but also critical at anational level, enabling the SouthernRegion to competeeffectively and robustly complement theGreaterDublinAreaandperformstronglyinaninternationalcontext.

Recommendation:

1. Theavailabilityoftransparentprojectplans,timelinesandbudgetavailabilitymustbemadeavailableforalleconomicandsocialinfrastructureprojectssetoutintheNationalDevelopmentPlanandIreland2040,i.e.aprojecttrackerwebpage

2. Theavailabilityofinterimmilestonesacrossspecificprojectsandprogressindicatorsmustbeagreedandpublished.

3. Necessityofalignmentof capital spendof theUrbanandRuralRegenerationFundsandothercompetitivefundsunderIreland2040withthestrategicobjectivesoftheRSESandProjectIreland2040.

Compact Growth and High Density WenotethedraftRSESobjectivetopromotecompactgrowththroughachievingaminimum50%ofall new homes to be developed within the existing built-up footprint of Cork, and 30% in othermetropolitan settlements. This objective is a clear andwelcome departure from historic planningmistakes,forwhichtheSouthernAssemblyshouldbecommended.

Nevertheless, while there is massive opportunity in Cork’s Docklands to realise compact growthtargets (Tivoli: 3,000 residential units and 4,000 jobs planned; City Docks: 29,000 employeesandaround 9,500 housing units planned) we caution that regulatory and policy guidelines must beamendedtomakebrownfielddevelopmentseconomicallyviable.

Across Cork’s skyline we are seeing cranes building office blocks, hotels, traditional housing andstudent accommodation; all of which are private sector investments. However, apartments/highdensity developments have not yet come on stream. From our members in construction, weunderstand that it is currently not economically attractive to construct build-to-let apartments inurban centres as envisioned under theNPF and the RSES. Infill and brownfield developments arebothcomplexandcostly.The importanceofensuringviability inachievinggrowthtargetsmustbe

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recognisedandacteduponorelsebrownfieldhousingdevelopmentsof thedensityaimed forwillnothappentothescaleproposedundertheRSES.

We also note that the draft RSES proposes the “application of sustainable higher densities,acknowledgingvariabilityandflexibilityinapplicationtotakeaccountoflocalcircumstances”(p.75).While Cork Chamber fully supports the objective of realising high densities in our urban centres,whichinturnisrequiredforenhancedpublictransportincludinglightrail,wesuggestthattheRSESconsidersthattheremaybeaneedforgreaterflexibility insuburbanareaswhichmatchesmarketdemand.

TheRSES should provide clear policy direction that higher density should be focusedon core cityareaswithmedium-highdensitiesacceptablewithinthesuburbanarea.

Recommendations:

1. The practicalities of delivering high density, including economic viability, must berecognisedandactionedundertheRSESandnationalpolicyinstruments.

2. Flexibilityindensitytargetsinsuburbanareasmayberequired.3. Transparency around targets relating to density and economic growth and current

baselinei.e.progresstracker

Public Realm & Cultural Space Citiesandtowncentresneedtobevibrant,economically,culturallyandsociallywithanappropriatemixofretail,office,residential,greenspacesandpublicrealmandtobewellconnectedthroughapublictransportsystem.Theyneedtobeattractive,safeandvibrant,bydayandbynight.Key areas of the public realm within city and town centres need to be appropriately funded forrejuvenation to improve liveability, encourage tourism and consumer activity. The UrbanRegeneration Fund must be facilitative of this with funding allocated appropriately to the CityRegions that offer themost economic potential. Sites formixed use developmentwithin the citycentre that have clear regional support and, inmany cases, have achieved public sector investorinterest,needtobeconsideredforinvestmentandapprovedpromptlybyGovernment.Measurestorejuvenatecitycentresanddevelopavibrantatmosphereshouldincludetappingintothepotentialofresidentialapartmentsaboveshopfronts,thisalsowouldhavethewelcomeimpactofprovidingmuchneededadditionalurbanhousing.In the Cork Chamber Q4 2017 Economic Trends survey2 of Cork businesses, the number oneresponsefromCorkbusinessesinrelationtotheirprioritiesforimprovingtheCityenvironmentfor‘familyliving’wasthediversityofhousing,thequality,affordability,theneedfornewbuilds,andtheneedforrefurbishmentofvacantbuildings.ThesecondprioritywasforanenhancedCorktransportnetwork and infrastructure, followed by the development of better amenities. The same surveyaskedwhatshouldbeimprovedtostrengthenCorkasaLivingCity.Here,thetopfiveprioritieswerethe diversity of housing; amenities – shops, cafes, cinemas, theatres, bars; schools, lower trafficvolumesandgreenspaces.Initiativesofthisnaturemustberobustlysupported.

2https://issuu.com/chamberlink/docs/eco-b-1-2018

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Enhancingand investing in theurban fabric iswidelyacknowledged throughout internationalbestpracticeasbeingessentialtoensuringthrivingCitiesandtowncentres.Itisacknowledgedasbeingafactor in influencing business investment and skills attraction and retention. The Cork Chambereconomic surveyprovidesdirect feedback fromtheCorkbusiness communitycalling for catalysedinvestment to enhance the liveability, connectivity, cultural character and placemakingattractivenessforvisitorsandresidentsalike.The Events Centre in Cork is a critical pillar for the social, cultural and economic fabric of theSouthernRegionandmustberecognisedassuchintheRSES.IftheSouthernRegionistothriveasan entity, a cultural facilities of this scale and vision is a key component of the necessaryinfrastructure.InCork,we see increasedpreference among indigenous and FDI business tobe in the city centreclose to public transport connections; for example: Cylance, Clearstream, Keeper Security whichhavealloptedforcitycentrelocationsinrecentmonths.Similarly,recentofficedevelopmentsandcommercial construction activity is primarily focused on locations close to public transportconnections.Cityregioneconomiesaremulti-faceted,andthismustbeacknowledgedandsupportedintheRSES.Recommendation:

1. TheawardingofpublicfundingthroughinstrumentssuchastheUrbanandRuralRegenerationfundsshouldsupporttheobjectiveofcreatinglivingcitiesandimprovingpublicrealmandculturalspace.

2. TheculturalandeconomicsignificanceoftheCorkEventCentremustbenotedandendorsedthroughtheRSES.

International Connectivity Cork Airport Cork Airport is a critical lynchpin in the Southern Regional economy – driving connectivity fortourismandcommerceandexpandingbusinessopportunitiesintoglobalmarkets.

InaQ12019surveyofourmembership,weaskedaboutusageofCorkAirportandtheimportanceofinternationalconnectivitytodoingbusinessinCork.41%describedirectairaccesstoCorkasveryimportanttotheirbusinesses,while35%sayitisextremelyimportant.

TheSouthernRSESwillplayacriticalroleinensuringthatCorkAirport’sroleasaregionaleconomicdrivercontinuestogrow,inlinewiththeNationalPlanningFramework’sacknowledgementthattheglobalconnectionsprovidedbyourportsandairportsare“vitaltooursurvival,ourcompetitivenessandourprospects”(p.145).

The RSES for the Southern Region must support opportunities to capitalise on growth ininternationalconnectivity.Inthisrespect,werecommendthatthefinaladoptedRSESprovidesclearandunambiguous support forgrowthofmovementsandpassengernumbersatCorkAirportona

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24-hourandyear-roundbasis,alignedwiththeupgradingandexpansionofinfrastructure(includingbothatterminalandairfield)requiredtodeliverthisgrowth.WenotethatCorkAirporthascapacityto steadily grow passenger numbers. We believe that the Southern RSES should increase theutilisation of existing State airport assets by encouraging usage of the airports locatedwithin theSouthern region, including by supporting ease of access to Cork and Shannon airportswithin theregion.

TheRSESprovidesavitallayerofregionalpolicy,whichwillverypracticallyguideandshapespatialplanning in the vicinity of Cork Airport. It has the important function of ensuring the safety andsecurity of airport infrastructure and passengers; while at the same time ensuring the carefulmanagementofdevelopmentwithinthevicinityoftheairporttominimiseanyconflictwithaviationusesandsafeguardlandsforfutureairportgrowth.

CorkChambersupportsadditionalclearandunambiguouspoliciesinrespecttoairportsafeguardingin particular, keeping housing developments at a safe distance from the airport perimeter andhavingappropriateregardtonoisesensitiveuses,glintandglareimpact,obstaclesandbirdhazardwith regard to airport proximity.We note and encourage the opportunity presented by the newRSEStoguideandalignregionalpolicyacrosstheregionsinthisrespect.

LocalconnectivitytoCorkAirportisalsokeyanditiscriticalthatitistreatedassuchintheRSES,inCorkMetropolitanAreaTransportStrategy(CMATS)andinanyfuturepolicydocuments.Weseetheabsolute criticality of Metro North to the future success of Dublin and Dublin Airport and it isessential thatanequivalent isplanned for inCork,ensuring thatobstacles to futuredevelopmentarenotcreatedandthatplansaremadeinatimelymannertokeeppacewithdemand.Intheshortterm,dedicatedbuscorridorswithcustomercentric frequencyofservicewouldbeanappropriatestepchange inrelationtoairportaccesswith lightrailplannedforthecorridorsequentially in linewithdemand.

Recommendation:

1. TheRSESshouldprovidefullsupportforgrowingmovementsandpassengernumbersatCorkAirporttomaximisethisstrategicasset.

2. TheRSESshouldsupportimprovedaccessfromwithintheSouthernRegiontoCorkandShannonAirports.

Port of Cork CorkHarbouristhesecondlargestnaturalharbourintheworld.ThePortofCorkisthekeyseaportintheSouthofIrelandandisoneoftheonlytwoIrishportswhichservicetherequirementsofallsixshippingmodesi.e.lifton,liftoff,rollon,rolloff,liquidbulk,drybulk,breakbulkandcruise.

TheongoingPortofCorkRedevelopmentProjectintheLowerHarbourwillformanextensiontotheexistingfacilitiesthatthePortcurrentlyoperatesinRingaskiddy.ItisenablingthePorttofacilitatelargervesselsandensuringlongterminternationalcompetitiveness.ThePortofCorkRingaskiddyRedevelopmentProject(newContainerTerminal)isplannedtobeoperationalin2020.

CorkChamberhighlightsthestrengthofthestrategicportfacilityintheCorkregionasregardsinternationalmarketaccessandthefutureabilitytofacilitateincreasedusage,especiallyinlightofmarketuncertaintieswhichhavecometotheforewiththeplannedUKBrexit.OurportinfrastructureisahugelyimportantstrategicpointofentryintoIrelandandexportlocation.

Itissometimesoverlookedthatasanopeneconomywithadependenceoninternationaltrade,wedoover90%ofourtradebysea.Theportisidealforfutureinvestment.Thedevelopmentofanew

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containerterminalwillovercometheexistingphysicalconstraintsinhandlinglargervesselsandincreasingtheabilityoftheporttoadaptactivitiestomatchcurrentinternationalrequirements.

Amongstotherthings,theportredevelopmentwillenhancetheabilityofCorktomaximisethepotentialforincreasedseafreightdirecttomainlandEuropepostBrexit.

Itwillfacilitatethecapacitytocatalyseandinfluencewiderregionaldevelopment,includingthedevelopmentofthetourismsectorandoftheCorkDocklandsatTivoli,andtheMarinoPointredevelopment,andsogrowingCork’srecreationalandhousingcapacity;

ItwillworktoconsolidatetheN28asastrategicnationalprimaryrouteservingtheEUTEN-TcoretransportnetworkofwhichPortofCorkispart.

Recommendation:

1. TheN28upgradeisacriticalcomponentforunlockingthefullpotentialofthePortofCork,industryandIDAstrategiclandholdings,andshouldberecognisedasacriticalpieceofinfrastructure.

Public Transport We note the Strategic Investment Priorities set out on page 12 in the draft RSES. As currentlypresented, housing and sustainable urban development is ranked first, followed second by thenational road network, third rural development, and fourth environmentally sustainably publictransport.

WefullysupportthatthedeliveryofsustainableurbanhousingwillbekeytoensuringthesuccessofIreland2040andtheobjectivesoftheRSES.Unlesswecanhousepeopleinourcitiesinareasclosetoemployment,thepopulationand jobsgrowthofthescaleenvisionedunderthestrategywillbeconstrained.Furthermore,wefullyendorsethecritical importanceofthenationalroadnetworkinensuringinter-urbanandruralconnectivity,thussupportingthecompetitivenessofIrelandandtheSouthernRegion.

However,toenableIrelandtosuccessfullytransitionintoasustainableeconomyandsocietywithanenhancedglobalappeal for talentand investors,webelievethat thedeliveryofsustainablepublictransportwillbeasimportantashousing.Webelieveourfuturehousingandsustainabletransportmodesmustbedevelopedintandemratherthansequentially.

We highlight the immediate need to increase the pace of investment in Cork’s public transportnetwork.Asanation,weneedtoenableourcitiesandregionstogrowsmarter.Todothis,weneedinvestment to deliver.Wemust develop our Cities’ future growth in away that learns from pastmissedopportunitiesandbuildsonfuturepotential.Inthenext3yearsalone,therewillbeanextra5,000jobscreatedinCorkCityascurrentdevelopmentprojectsreachcompletion,withthisgrowingto10,000inthecomingyearsastheDocklandsaredeveloped.ThisisunparalleledoutsideofDublinandneverhas thedemand forpublic transportbeengreater inCork.CorkCity is growingatpacewiththedevelopmentofofficespacesignificantly increasingover the lastyearwithover1millionsquarefeetofofficeinplanningordevelopment.

AspartofProjectIreland2040,CorkwillbethefastestgrowingCityregionintheCountryoverthenext 20 years, with the City population expected to grow by at least 125,000. To accommodate

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thesenumbers,weneedamassivelyenhancedpublictransportnetworkandinfrastructurefortheCorkMetropolitanArea.Weneedtodevelopourtransportcorridorsandnetworktomeettheneedsofagrowingpopulationbase, connecting residential zoneswith strategicemployments zonesandamenity areas. Theopportunity lies in being proactive, in facilitating this growth, and in driving apublictransportprogrammethatmatchestheneedsoftheCityasitgrowsandevolves.

ThedevelopmentofhighvalueNorth-SouthandEast-Westtransportcorridorsaregame-changersinenablingCork’scommuterandresidentialpopulationstochoosesustainabletransportoptions.Thedevelopment of Bus Rapid Transport corridors, Light Rail and an integrated cycle network acrossCorkMetropolitanAreaisastrategicpriorityandcleardeliverytimelinesmustbeprovided.

OneoftheprincipalobjectivesoftheChamberisfortheessential infrastructuretoachieveastep-change in the use of public transport to be put in place. In turn, this investment will assist atransition to a low-carbon economy which will unlock new growth potential for Cork and theSouthern Region. Building on the strength of the existing suburban rail network and alignedwithproposalsforanincreasedpopulationandemploymentdensityinMetropolitanCork,weendorseanintegrated East-West and North-South public transport corridor that will link urban and ruralcommunitieswithstrategicemploymentareasandservices.

Consequently,weproposethatthestrategicinvestmentprioritiesarerevisedtoprovidegreateremphasistopublicandsustainabletransportmodes.Bydoingso,wewillenableourcitiestobecomemoreinclusive,moreappealing,andmoreenvironmentallyfriendly;allofwhichwillhavesignificantknock-oneffectsontheabilitytogrowourpopulation,furtherinwardmigration,andattractmorejobs,ultimatelycreatingbetterplacestolive.

Recommendations:

1. Revise strategic investmentpriorities to give greateremphasis topublic and sustainabletransport modes to enable a step-change in sustainable commuting across CorkMetropolitanArea.

2. TheadoptedRSESshouldrecognisetheimportanceandgivecleartimelinestotheLittleIslandtransportstrategy,theopeningKilbarryTrainStation,deliveryofBusConnects,LightRail,Park&Rides,CorkMetropolitanAreaCycleNetworkPlan,BikeShareSchemes,andexistingcommuterrailnetworktosuccessfullyachieveamodalchangeintransportinCork.

3. Thepotentialforelectricrail,renewablepoweredbusses,electricvehicleinfrastructure,andfeasibilityofwatercommutingshouldberecognisedwithintheadoptedRSES.

Jobs of the future - Building an Adaptable Economy Connectivity Fromadigitalconnectivityperspective,MetropolitanCorkboastsvitalhighcapacityTier1Expressfibreconnectivity.Thisoffers the lowest latency in theEUto theEastCoastof theUS,connectingCorkwithvitaldigitalandfinancialmarketsintheUSandUK.OurdigitalinfrastructureenablestheCorkarea,makingitreadytoattract,accommodateandgrowIreland’snationalcapacitytobenefitfromfutureinvestmentfromnextgenerationdigitalandfinancialcompanies.

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In addition, the Celtic Interconnector offers the opportunity to not only provide electricalconnectivity but to also to provide digital connectivity that would benefit the Southern Region,especiallyinapotentialpost-Brexitscenariowherecertaindatasetswouldnotpassthroughanon-EUcountry.Regardlessof theoutcomeofBrexit, theCeltic Interconnector isanessentialpieceofenergy and data transmission infrastructure. As such, Cork Chamber emphasises the readiness ofMetropolitanCork inabsorbinggrowth in thedigital sector,andspecifically theever-growingdatacentre industry and reemphasises the region’s characteristics as regards existing energyinfrastructure.

Improveddigital connectivitywill alsobehugely important froma socialperspective. Increasingly,accesstoanddeliveryofpublicserviceswillbemovedonline,whichunderlinesthe importanceofensuring that every household in the Southern Region is digitally connected. In relation to theNationalBroadbandPlan,itisessentialthatdeliveryofconnectivityisapriorityfortheRSES.Intheevent that the Broadband Plan proves unworkable in the market, it is possible to exploreempoweringwireless internet serviceproviders to fulfil thevisionof full connectivity. The currentimpassehasprovideduncertaintytothisagile,deliveryfocussedsector.TheRSESshouldsupportthedeliveryofthismuchneededconnectivity.

Recommendation:

1. TheenormityofthesocialandeconomicpotentialofdigitalinfrastructurefortheSouthernRegion,andIrelandasawhole,cannotbeunderestimated.ItisessentialthattheSouthernRSESrecognises,supportsandinvestsinthissignificantinfrastructure.

Education 92% of students in Ireland complete the Leaving Cert.Cork possesses world renowned highereducation institutions accommodating 35,000 students with UCC recognised as in the top 2% ofresearch institutions intheworldandtheworld’s firstgreencampus,andwithCITgenerating250start-ups in the last10yearsandproducingmoreaccreditedengineers thananyhighereducationinstitutioninIreland.ThesteadystreamofICT,scienceandengineeringgraduateswillbeadrawforFDIandthesupportforemergingindigenoustalent.

Additionalcapitalinvestmentwillberequiredinalllevelsofeducation,researchandinnovation.ThedeliveryoftheMunsterTechnologicalUniversitywillhaveafurthersignificant impactonCorkandthewider SouthWest Region, augmenting Cork’s already strong performance in producing STEMgraduates and attracting talent. Furthermore, the delivery of the new Cork University BusinessSchoolwillbringafurther4,000studentstotheheartoftheCityCentre.Theavailabilityofaskilledandentrepreneurialworkforce,particularlyinscience,technologyandengineering,iscrucialtothedeliveryofanadditional121,000jobs.

By 2027, it is expected that Cork’s third level institutes will see an increase of 37% of teenagerscoming through their doors. This significant increase reflects a demographic bulge and does notconsider any growth in students from outside of Ireland or from inward migration. While thisgrowingnumberof third level students presents enormous economic advantage for Cork and theSouthernRegion,itcouldalsopresentahugechallengeforourthirdlevelinstitutesunlessearlyandadequateinvestmentinservicesandeducationalinfrastructureisdelivered.

At present, there are 45 schools currently being extended andmore in planning. In Carrigtwohillalone there is planning for a 1,000-student facility. We must continue to invest in and plan foreducationacrossalllevels,notablyalsoinearlyyears.Morechildcareandearlyyearsplaceswillbe

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required across Cork to match population and jobs growth in areas close to people’s homes.Similarly, there is significant demand across Cork for primary and secondary schools, includingschoolsthatcaterforinternationalstudents.Facilitiesshouldbelocatedinaccessiblelocationswithgoodwalking, cycling and public transport connectivity close to people’s homes bywhichwewillenablemoresustainableandindependentschooltransport.

In summary, continued infrastructural investmentwill be required to facilitate the growth of oureducational institutions across all levels of education, including student accommodation, publictransport and sustainable infrastructure, and support for the capital plans of each relevantinstitution.

Recommendation:

1. TheRSES should supportearly investment in the infrastructure required to facilitate thegrowthofoureducationalinstitutionsacrossalllevels,includingstudentaccommodation,public transportand sustainable infrastructureand support for the capitalplansofeachrelevantinstitution.

Health Centre of Excellence Cork is well placed to support the nation’s future healthcare needs while contributing toemployment growth. It is a national leader in healthcare innovation which is of both social andeconomic significance and which offers great growth potential for indigenous industries into thefuture. For example, the National Health Innovation Hub Ireland led by UCC facilitates andacceleratesthecommercialisationofinnovativehealthcaresolutions.CorkUniversityHospital(CUH)is the largest university teaching hospital in Ireland and is the only Level 1 Trauma centre in thecountryduetothepresenceofover40differentmedicalandsurgicalspecialtiesonthecampus.

In order to maximise this opportunity, the RSES should actively support Cork’s existing healthinfrastructuretocreateaHealthCentreofExcellence.Cork’sexistinghealthinfrastructureisunderconstant pressure anddoes not have the required capacity to adequatelymeet the future healthneedsofagrowingregion.Project Ireland2040commitstoanewgeneralhospitalforCork,andasecondelectivehospital.

Recommendation:1. The adopted RSES should recognise the importance and give clear timelines for site

selectionforthenewgeneralhospitalandthesecondelective-onlyhospital.

Counter-Cyclical Investment OneofthegreatestlegacychallengesposedbythepreviousrecessionsinIrelandisthedelayinthedeliveryof infrastructure to facilitate sustainableeconomic resilienceandgrowth. In2008, capitalinvestmentpeakedat5.3%ofGNPandthisdecreasedby60% in theyears to2014,compoundingthe economic crisis, the impact on the construction sector, and the delivery of infrastructure forfuturegrowth.

Eleven years on, Ireland is still playing catch-up on a decade of lost capital infrastructuraldevelopment. Classic Keynesian economic theorywould suggest thatGovernment should operatecounter-cyclical spending policies by increasing capital investment spend in periods of economic

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downturntolessentheimpactofthebusinesscycle.TheseprincipalsarealsoendorsedbytheFiscalAdvisoryCouncil.

Alongsidetransparencyaroundtimelines,spendingpriorities,andmilestones,itisourviewthattheSouthern RSES should promote counter-cyclical infrastructure spend. By investing smartly,continuouslyand strategically,our regionwill beputon the right track todeliveron Ireland2040targets,attractingfurther inward investmentwhilesupporting indigenousbusinessestogrowtheiroutput.

Economiccyclesare inevitable,andwemustensureourNationalDevelopmentPlanandtheRainyDayFundplaytheirpartinmitigatingtheimpacts,asandwhentheyarise.

Recommendation:

1. Alongside transparency around timelines, spending priorities, and milestones, it is ourviewthattheSouthernRSESshouldpromotecounter-cyclicalinfrastructurespend.

Energy, Climate Change Mitigation and the Circular Economy Commercial Renewable Energy Deployment Cork is home to Ireland’s Energy hub, located aroundCorkHarbour and comprising the country’smoststrategicallyimportantclusterofenergyinfrastructure,businessesandresearchfacilities.Corkisanetexporterofelectricitygenerationto thenationalgridand isat the forefrontof renewableenergygeneration in thecountry.TheEnergyHubsuppliesover25%of Ireland’senergydemandsand is home to 20% of Ireland’s electricity generating capacity. Many of the largest energycompaniesinIrelandarerepresentedwithintheEnergyHuborinthewiderCorkarea.

However,givenIreland’sdependencyonenergyimports,itiscriticalthatweincreasediversityandresilience in energy supply. We must increase the domestic supply to meet current and futureexpecteddemand.ItiscriticalthatstrategicdevelopmentsareundertakenwhichincreaseIreland’sability togenerate renewableenergyanddecreaseourcarbon footprintasanation. Irelandranks26thoutof28EUmemberstateswhenitcomestorenewableenergyanditisnowclearthatwewillnotmeetourEU2020renewabletargets.3

Corkalreadyaccountsforapproximately13%ofIreland’swindenergygeneration.Corkisahubformarinerenewables (tidalandwaverider technology),andsolarPV.SolarPV ifactivelyenabledbypolicy has the potential to generate a very significant portion of Ireland’s target for renewableelectricity. In Ireland, we currently have the potential for 1GW permitted capacity from solarhoweverwith0solarfarmsoperating.

There is significant scaleandcapacity for theSouthern region toachieveclimatechangeemissionreduction targets. With costs being actively driven down by innovation in solar, onshore andoffshorewind in particular, the renewable industry is becoming increasingly cost competitive andcandeliver for Irelandwith thecertaintyofGovernment support. Forexample, looking to theUK,almost8GWofoffshorewindenergyhavebeendeployedasaresultofafacilitativeauctionsupportregime.

3https://greennews.ie/energy-targets-wont-be-met-despite-bumper-year-for-renewables/

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BurboBankExtensionoffshorewindfarm4,UK,generatingcapacityupto250MW

Areport5recentlypublishedbytheCambridgeEconometricsandEurofund’sEuropeanJobsMonitorconcluded that the potential employment and economic benefits of transition to a low-carboneconomyby2030couldresultina1.1percentregrowthinEU28GDPand0.5percentregrowthinemployment. The reports surmises that adopting the necessary policymeasures nowwill ensurethatallofsocietycanbenefitfromthismovetoalowcarbonfuture.

The RSES needs to contain direct policy support for renewable industries in the allocation andpositioning of transmission and distribution infrastructure. Centralised policies that demonstratelong termGovernmentcommitmentandsupport for thecommercial investment in therenewableenergy industry,suchassolarPV,needtobeclarifiedwithoutdelayoranysuchreferences intheRSESwillbeonlyaspirational innature.Claritywillmaximisethepotentialofsuchsectorsandourvast regional potential in increasing delivery of sustainable energy technologies, our nationalresilienceandourenergysecurity.

Recommendation:

1. TheRSESshouldsupportrenewableindustriesintheallocationandpositioningoftransmissionanddistributioninfrastructure.

2. TheRSESshouldactivelysupportclimatechangeemissionreductionthroughsubsidiesforthecommercialdeploymentofrenewableenergy.

De-carbonising Heat & District Heating Thesectiononde-carbonisingthebuiltenvironmentbrieflymentionshownewinitiativestosupportlow carbon heating should include district heating (DH). The National Planning Framework listeddistrict heating as one of the key enablers for the future growth of Cork. However, there areregulationscurrentlyinplacethatareprohibitiveforDHschemes.Thesemaybeoutsidethescope

4https://www.gov.uk/government/news/burbo-bank-extension-offshore-wind-farm-given-development-consent5https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/publications/report/2019/energy-scenario-employment-implications-of-the-paris-climate-agreement

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of theRSES,yet theywillneed tobeaddressed ifDH is tobecomeaviableheatingalternative tofossilfuelsources.

Guidance is therefore required from the Department of Communications, Climate Action andEnvironmenttoaddressthefact thatwasteheat isnotrecognisedasasolutiontoreducecarbon.Recoverableor ‘waste’heat isanunavoidableby-productof thermalpowerproductionandmanylarge industries. However, current policy does consider this as low carbon solution and insteadfocuses on renewable energy rather than lowest carbon energy. DH, andmany other low-carbonenergy solutions, have only been able to grow and take a foothold in markets where there areeffectivecarbontaxes,meaninglow-carbonsolutionsarecompetitiveandeconomicallyattractive.ItisverydifficultforDHtocompetewiththelowcostsoffossil-basedheatingfuel,especiallywhentheupfront investmentcostofDHinfrastructure isconsidered.TherecastRenewableEnergyDirectiverecognises district heating systems as an important infrastructural technology to facilitate theincreaseoftotalconversionefficiencies.

Recommendation:

1. RegulationscurrentlyinplacethatareprohibitivefordistrictheatingschemesneedtobeaddressedbyGovernmenttoenableatransitiontolowcarbonheatingasenvisionedunderRSES.

De-carbonising the Transport Sector RegionalPolicyObjectives87-89includemeasurestodecarbonisetransportincludingelectricvehicleinfrastructureandCompressedNaturalGasrefuellingstations.Intermsofregionalplanning,andtoaddressthechallengesassociatedwithclimatechange,thedraftRSESmustalsotakeaccountoftheneedtodevelophydrogenfuellingstations.Thiswillenablethedeploymentofhydrogenfuelledvehiclessuchascars,busesandheavygoodsvehicles.Fuelcellscaneliminatethepollutioncausedbyburningfossilfuels;forhydrogenfuelledfuelcells,theonlyby-productatpointofuseiswater.

UsingCNGcomparedtodieselandpetrolalternativescanachievereductionsofupto30%forCO2(and70%forNOx,atransboundarypollutant)andasatransportfuelwillleadtosignificantemissionsreductions.CNGvehiclesalsoprovideapathwayfortheuseofRenewableNaturalGas(RNG)/biomethane(methaneobtainedfrombiomass).

Thestrategyfordeployingalternativefuelsinfrastructuremustallowforastationsitingstrategythatfacilitatesalternativefuelvehicledeployment.Forexample,learningsshouldbetakenfromtheUK’sstrategywherebydriveabilityofhydrogenfuelledvehicleswasfacilitatedbycreatingaviablenetworkaroundmajorurbancentreswithstationssituatednearmainroads.6Thisiswithaviewtogroupsofearlystationsbeingusedtocreatehydrogenrefuellingstationclustersaroundmajorurbancentres,withaminimumoftwostationsneededpercluster.

Recommendation:

1. TheRSESmusttakeaccountoftheneedtodevelopCNG/Biogas,Electricandhydrogenfuellingstationsandinfrastructure,withaviewtodeveloprefuellingclustersaroundallurbancentresandhigh-densityresidentialzones.

6http://www.ukh2mobility.co.uk/

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De-carbonising the Agriculture Sector The RSES should support the deployment of anaerobic digesters for the treatment of agriculturalwaste. This is in line with the principles of the circular economy and Government policy; asanaerobicdigestion(AD)notonlygeneratesenergy,butalsogiveseffecttonationalwastepolicyinterms of utilising waste as a resource.7 The Southern Region has appropriate levels of slurryfeedstock for farm level anaerobic digesters. Gas Network Ireland’s analysis indicates that theagriculturalADstrategyhasminimumachievabletotalGHGsavingsof17.5tonnesCO2/ha/a.

Recommendation:

1. TheRSESmustfacilitatethedeploymentofanaerobicdigestersforthetreatmentofagriculturalwaste

Resource Efficiency – Further Observations SEAI’slatestEnergyinIrelandpublicationreportedthatrenewablesmadeup10.6%ofgrossfinalconsumptionrelativetoa2020targetof16%.8Challengesinmeetingrenewabletargetsacrosstheelectricity,heatandtransportsectorsmeanthatIrelandwilllikelymissthisgoalandwillhavetoengageinstatisticaltransfers(i.e.purchasecomplianceforotherMemberStateswhohaveexceedtheirtargets).TheEUtargetsfor2030includea40%cutingreenhousegasemissionscomparedto1990levels,atleasta32%shareofrenewableenergyconsumptionandindicativetargetforanimprovementinenergyefficiencyatEUlevelofatleast27%(comparedtoprojections),tobereviewedby2020(withanEUlevelof30%inmind).

IssuesthatarearguablybeyondthescopeoftheRSEShavecreatedhurdlesintermsofmeetingEUmandatedtargets(i.e.gridconnectionpolicy,adelayinimplementinggovernmentrenewableenergysupports).However,RPO94aspirestothedevelopmentofaRegionalRenewableEnergyStrategy.Itmustprovidethenecessaryframeworktoaddressmeasurestoovercomebarriersrelatedtorenewableenergydeployment.ThetimingisopportunegiventherecentpublicationoftheRevisedRenewableEnergyDirectiveintheOfficialJournaloftheEuropeanUnionanditsforthcomingtransposition.

RPO96focusesonIndigenousRenewableEnergyProductionandGridInjection.GasNetworkIrelandhascommencedthedevelopmentofrenewablegascollectionlogisticsandCentralGridInjection(CGI)facilities.ThesewillbelocatedonthegastransmissionnetworkandwillbedesignedtooperateasgasEntryPointsonthenetworkfordeliverytotheirgascustomersintheheat,powerandtransportsectors.Aspreviouslynoted,analternativefuelsinfrastructureisrequiredinordertofacilitatetheroll-outofagri-basedanaerobicdigesterstounderpinrenewablegassupply.ItisenvisagedthatbiogaswillbepurifiedtoNaturalGasstandardatADsites,readyforcollection.

RPO103(Non-FossilFuelandHeatSources)outlinestheobjectivetosupportinitiativesfortheconversionofhomestonon-fossilfuels.AnadditionalRPOshouldbeincludedtofacilitatethedecarbonisationofheatforindustryi.e.throughmeasuressuchasconnectingtoadistrictheatingnetwork.

7https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Energy%20White%20Paper%20-%20Dec%202015.pdf8https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy-in-Ireland-2018.pdf

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Circular Economy/Waste Whilewastereductionandeliminationmustbeprioritised,unavoidablewastesthatcannotberecycledinasustainablemannercanbesafelyandeffectivelytreatedbythewaste-to-energy(WtE)process.Thisformofsustainablewastetechnologyhastheaddedbenefitofproducingelectricityandheatwhilstensuringthatsuchunavoidablewastesaretransformedintousefulandvaluableresourceswhichcanthereaftercontributetoacircularbio-economy.

TheimplementationoftheWasteFrameworkandLandfillDirectiveshavebeeninstrumentalindivertingwasteawayfromlandfillwhichisregardedastheleastdesirableandmostenvironmentallydetrimentaltierofthewastehierarchy.The“wastehierarchy”rankswastemanagementoptionsaccordingtowhatisbestfortheenvironment.Itgivestopprioritytopreventingwasteinthefirstplace.Whenwasteiscreated,itgivesprioritytopreparingitforre-use,thenrecycling,thenrecovery,andlastofalldisposal(e.g.landfillandincinerationwithoutenergyrecovery).

TheRegionalWasteManagementPlan(WMP)2015-2021isinlinewiththeprinciplesofthecirculareconomy.Itaddressestheneedforanadditional300,000tonnesperannumtreatmentcapacityforresidualmunicipalwaste.Thisadditionalcapacitywouldhelptoachieveakeyobjectiveofimprovingself-sufficiencyinwastetreatment,reducingtheamountofwastebeingtransportedtoLeinsterorexportedabroadfortreatment.

Theextentofcapacitydeterminedreflectsthepredictedneedsoftheresidualwastemarketto2030atthetimeofpreparingthewasteplan.Againstthebackdropofagrowingpopulation(andwithCork,LimerickandWaterfordprojectedtobeamongstthefastestgrowinglocationsintheStateoverthenext20years),andinlinewithRPO104,itisessentialthattheRSESsupportstheobjectivesintheWMPaswellasanyupdatestotheplan.

Recommendation:

1. LinkedtotheproposedpopulationgrowthinCork,LimerickandWaterford,itisessentialthattheRSESsupportstheobjectivesintheWasteManagementPlan2015-2021aswellasanyupdatestotheplan.

Conclusion We begin this submission fully endorsing the position of Cork, as set out in the draft SouthernRegionalandSpatialEconomicStrategy,page209:“ThepopulationoftheCorkMetropolitanAreain2016,atover304,000,isalmostonefifthoftheSouthernRegion’stotalpopulation.ItisthesecondlargestmetropolitanareaintheStateafterDublinandislargerinscalethantheLimerick-Shannon,GalwayandWaterfordMetropolitanAreascombined.”

WehavesetoutourrecommendedamendmentstothefinalRSEStoenableCorkandtheSouthernRegion to grow its population and jobs in a sustainablemanner that creates a built, natural andeconomicenvironmentthatleavesarobustlegacyforfuturegenerations.

We have done so under the headings of the central positions of city regions; the RSES decisionmakingandimplementationprocess;theimplementationandmonitoringofIreland2040;compactgrowth and high density; public realm and cultural space; international connectivity; public

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transport;jobsofthefuture;counter-cyclicalinvestment;andenergy,climatechangemitigationandthecirculareconomy.

WetrustourrecommendationstobeconsideredcarefullyastheRSESisfinalisedandlookforwardtoworkingwith theSouthernRegionalAssemblyandall stakeholders todeliveron thevisionandambitionsetoutforCorkandtheSouthernRegionwithinthisstrategy.

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Appendix1

CorkChambersubmissiontoRegionalSpatialandEconomicStrategy

February2018

INTRODUCTION

CorkChamber,whichrepresentsmorethan1,200businesseswhoemployover100,000peopleintheCorkregion,welcomestheopportunitytorespondtotheRegionalSpatialandEconomicStrategy(RSES)andshareourviewonhowweseeCorkandIrelanddevelopto2040.

Inthissubmissionweidentifywhereweseethedraftplanasbeingontherightpath,andwhereweconsiderthedraftplantobelackinginambition.

Toputthissubmissionincontext,weopenwithafewbasicfactsaroundCork:Ireland’ssecondcityregion:

• Corkishometoover500,000people,withmorethan305,000peoplelivinginthemetropolitanarea

• Over150FDIcompanieshavechosenCorkfortheiroperationsinparallelwithanever-thrivingindigenousbase

• Corkhasstrong,establishedclustersinhealthcare,pharma/bio-pharma,IT,energy,engineeringandcybersecurity,marine,agri-food,andfinancialservices.

• Corkhasathrivingthirdlevelpopulationwithover40,000people(staffandstudents)andover10,000skilledgraduatesperannumandacrossarangeofdisciplines,andwitharobustfurthereducationofferingwithincreasednumbersenrollinginapprenticeshipseveryyear.

• CorkishosttoworldrenownedresearchinstitutessuchastheTyndallNationalResearchInstitute,TheNIMBUSCentreandtheMooreparkDairyandFoodResearchCentretonamebutafew.

• CorkishometoCorkUniversityHospital,theIreland’slargestuniversityteachinghospitalinIrelandandtheonlyLevel1traumafacilityinthecounty.

• TheHealthInnovationHubIrelandislocatedinCork,focusedonfacilitatingandacceleratingthecommercialisationofinnovativehealthcaresolutions.

• Ireland’sEnergyhubislocatedaroundCorkHarbourandcomprisesthecountry’smoststrategicallyimportantclusterofenergyinfrastructure,businessesandresearchfacilities.Addedtothis,Corkisanetexporterofelectricitygenerationtothenationalgridandisatforefrontofrenewableenergygenerationinthecountry.

• Fromadigitalconnectivityperspective,MetropolitanCorkishometovitalhighcapacityTier1Expressfibreconnectivity,offeringthelowestlatencyintheEUtotheEastCoastoftheUS.

• CorkAirportservesover50destinationsacrosstheUK,EuropeandtheUS• Corkboastsaninternationallyrenownedculturalandtourismofferingandistheunique

meetingplaceofboththeWildAtlanticWayandIreland’sAncientEast.• CorkistheFoodCapitalofIreland,andhosttomorethan20festivalsayear

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• Corkoffersaperfectcombinationofvibrantandcompactcity-living,surroundedby1,100kilometresofspectacularcoastlineonthedoorstep.

LookingattheobjectivesoftheNPF,overallwewelcometheintentionsetbythetargetof50%futurepopulationgrowthinIreland’smaincities.

InrelationtoCorkspecifically,wewelcometheintentionofacceleratingpopulationgrowthinthecityandsuburbanareatotwicetherateofthatinthepast25years,anduptothreetimestheprojectednationalaverageoverthesameperiod.

Wenotehowthepastsixyearshasalreadyseenmorebusinessandpeoplelocatingwithininnerurbancores.ThistrendisbackedbythefindingsofCensus2016,whichshowedaCorkCitypopulationincreaseof5.4%since2011.Withmorejobs,especiallyhigh-valuejobs,optingtobebasedincitycentresinordertoattractandretainthebeststaff,weexpectfurthercitycentrepopulationgrowthtofollowintheyearsahead.Intheimagebelow,weoutlinenewdevelopmentsunderwayinCorkcitycentrewhichcanaccommodatefurtherjobsgrowthintheregion.

Inourview,agrowingdesireforurbanlivingandworkingmustbeenabledbytheimplementationoftheRSES.

Second,andinreferencetoabove,thepositionandambitionofCork,asIreland’ssecondcityandthedriverofathrivingSouthernRegion,mustberecognisedinthecontentandsubstanceoftheRSES.

SECTION1:OURCITIESANDTOWNs

CorkChamberFeedback:

• TheproposeddevelopmentofMetropolitanAreaStrategicPlanshaspotentialtoprovidespatialandeconomicstructuretothegrowthofourcityregions.However,itmustbenotedthattheexemplaryCorkAreaStrategicPlanhasbeenoperatingsuccessfullysince2001precededbytheequallycommendedCorkLandUseandTransportationStudyputinplaceasearlyasthe1970’s.ClarityisrequiredtoenableprecisecommentarybutanyfutureMASPmodelmustbeadaptabletolocalconditionsandnotberestrictivelyprescriptive,mustallow

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forequallyrepresentativeandproactivelocalstakeholderengagementandinfluenceinthedeterminationofcontentandapplicationthereafter.Localownershipandimplementationalignedwithnationalobjectivesiscriticaltosuccessandthisshouldnotbeweakenedbyregionalstructures.

• Ifwearetoachievetheanticipatedgrowthrateofbetween50–60%thenitisimperativethatasanationwearestrategicattheoutset,thatweareproactiveinmeetingtheneedsofcommunitiesandbusinessaswegrowourcities.AssuchtheopportunityexistsnowtodeveloparegionalplanthatcohesivelymapstheobjectivesoftheNPFindevelopingatransportnetworkthatisrobust,mixeduseurbanlivingthatmeetstheneedsofagrowingresidentialpopulation,thatsupportsurbancentresaskeydriversforregions,andthatbacksacommunicationandenergynetworkthatisresilientanddiverse.ToensuretheobjectivesoftheNPFaremetviatheRSES,itisessentialthatcapitalinvestmentisfocusedandstrategictoensuretheenablersareinplacetofacilitatesustainablegrowth.Sufficientsupplyofzonedlandwithinourmetropolitanareasforbothcommercialandresidentialdevelopmentsisequallyimportant.

• TheCorkDocklandsisatransformationalopportunityforIreland.Itisunprecedentedinthisdaytohaveover220hectaresofbrownfieldsitelocatedadjacenttotheCityCentreasisthecasewithCork.ThereisanexceptionalopportunitytoadvancetheCorkDocklandsinlinewithinternationalbestpracticetodevelopamixeduseurbanenvironmenttomaximisethepotentialofCorkCity,alocationthatisattractivetoinvestmentandresidentialliving,andonethatisiconictoresidentsandvisitorsalike.Toenablesustainablegrowth,developmentofarobusttransportationnetworkholdsthepotentialtotransformhowaCityfunctions.ThecommitmenttofacilitatingaRapidTransportSystemandsupportinginfrastructureforCorkisessentialandwillbecatalyticingrowingboththeregionsandIrelandstrategically.

• Todate,theCorkregionandinparticulartheMetropolitanCorkarea,hasprovenitscapacityastheeconomicengineoftheSouthernRegion,andhasgrownitspresencethroughstrongcollaborationbothregionallyandnationally.Corkhasthetrackrecord,criticalmass,infrastructureandscaletogrowtheroleasIrelands’secondcityregionandthefulcrumofathrivingSouthernRegion.


• Lackofconnectivity,bothtransportandcommunications,isakeybarriertogrowingthelargercentres.Thereisanurgentrequirementoutsideofthemainurbancentrestowardsincreasingthepotentialofthesecentrestogrowemploymentandbusinessopportunities,aswellasenablingcommuterpatternsthataresustainableandthatdon’tdetractfromqualityoflifeandenvironment.CorkChamberhighlightstheneedtoimprovethecommuterrail

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networkandrevisethefarestructuretoensureaffordability,toincreasethequalityanddependabilityofbroadbandtourbancentres,todeveloprapidpublictransportsystemsandnetworksthatlinktocommuterhubs.

• InthelatestCorkChamberQuarterlyEconomicsurvey,respondentswereaskedabouttheirtopprioritiesincreatingurbanenvironmentsthatareattractiveforfamilyliving.Thetop3answerswerequalityandaffordablehousingoptions,anenhancedtransportinfrastructureandnetworkandfurtheramenitiessuchaspublicspaces,crèchesandcafes.LocalAuthoritiescanstrategicallyenablecommunitiesthroughfutureplanningandpracticestocreatelocationsthatareattractivetourbanlivingandinvestment.


• Theattractionandretentionofskilledemployees,andeffectivetransportandcommunicationsnetworkareallkeychallengesforthesustainableeconomicandpopulationgrowthfortownslessthan10,000population.Insupportingthekeyenablersforbusiness,LocalAuthoritieswillorganicallyincreasetheattractiveoftownstoinvestmentandsustainedpopulationgrowthwhichwillinturnaffectpositivelythesocialfabricandurbancentresofthesetowns.

• Totrulyenablethefullpotentialofourregiontoberealised,wehighlighttheneedtoincreaseandacceleratetheinvestmentinbroadbandconnectivityfortownsandruralareasasanessentialpillarintransformingtheeconomicprosperityacrossregionswhichalsoworkingtoenhancetheviabilityandsustainabilityoftownandruralcommunitiesintothefuture.

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• CorkChamberhighlightsthesuccessoftheLudgateHubinSkibbereen,WestCork.Thishubishugelysuccessfulduetothehighspeedinternetconnectivitywhichwassecured,enablingbusinessestothriveinthisrurallocationandenablingahubforthelocationandforresidentslivinginthewiderruralarea.AssuchCorkChamberhighlightsthepowerofdevelopingeffectivehubsthatareservicedbyhighspeedinternetconnectivity,aresupportedwithresourcesandfunding,arefacilitativeofruralbusinessnetworking,oftrainingandcontinuousdevelopment,andthatarefocusedondevelopingandsupportingbusinesslocally.ThismaybethereenergisingandfurtherdevelopmentoftheexistingEnterpriseCentres.

SECTION2:PEOPLE,HOMES&COMMUNITIES


• ThedevelopmentoftheM20CorktoLimerickroute,theNorthernRingRoad,theCorkDocklandsareallhighimpacttransformationalinvestmentprojects,catalyticintheirpotentialtodeveloptheCorkandsurroundingregions.ThedeliveryoftheM20inparticularalsohasthepotentialtofacilitatebetterintercitycollaborationandconnectivitywithintheSouthernRegion,aswellassupportthedevelopmentofsmallertownsandvillages,forexampleButtevant,MallowandCharleville.

• Thedevelopmentofanintegratedpublictransportnetworktofacilitateachangeintravelmodewillincreasethesustainabilityofprogressandalleviatepotentialcommutercongestionaswellasworkingtoachievethenationalclimatechangetargets.

• Investmentinthefacilitiesthatsupportthesocialfabricisalsoessentialtoensurethrivingcommunitiessuchascrèches,educationalfacilities,healthcarefacilities,greenspacesandcitycentreplaygroundstoencouragecentralfamilyliving,andaffordablehighdensityhousingincloseproximitytopublictransportlinks.

• Forallinvestmentinbothhardandsocialinfrastructure,itisimportantthatstrategiesarealignedwithMASP.

• Supportforpublicservicesandpublictransportfundingfordaytodayprovisionmustbeincreasedtomeetincreasingpressuresonexistingservices.

• InordertoachievetheobjectivesoftheNationalPlanningFramework,itisimportantthatallnewcommercialandresidentialdevelopmentswithinurbancoresmeetminimumdensityrequirementsandthattheyarestrategicallylocatedwitheasyaccesstopublictransportin

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ordertominimisecardependency.FromaCorkCityperspective,itisimportantthatplannerssupportthecitygrowingupratherthanouttoencouragevibrancyanddensity.

• Ensuringtimelydeliveryofprojectsalreadyinthecapitalplanisalsoofessentialimportance,includingtheDunkettleInterchangeUpgrade,MallowBypass,theM28roadtoRingaskiddy,andtheN22Cork-Kerryroad.

• Toachievemetropolitanlocationsthataresustainable,itisimportantthatalongsidethelargerinfrastructureprojects,thelesscostlybuthighlyimpactfulinfrastructureprojectsarealsosupported.Suchprojectscanbeenormouslyvaluableintheirlatentpotentialtoimpactpositivelyoncommuterexperiencesandtheoverallattractivenessandviabilityofaregiontoinvestment.CorkChamberhasassessedanumberofprojectsasfittingwithinthiscategoryofinvestmentandpotential.Ourintentionisnottobeprescriptive,buttohighlightpotentialopportunitiesforassessmentandinvestment,andwithinthisalsowehighlighttheopportunitiesforlocalstakeholderknowledgeinidentifyingpinchpointsandpossiblesolutions.PleaseseeAppendix1foranoverviewoflowercosthighimpactinfrastructure:

SECTION3:ASUSTAINABLEECONOMICFUTURE

CorkChamberFeedback

• Corkhasthescale,experienceandcapacitytoaccommodateanother120,000jobsby2050assetoutinoursubmissiontotheNationalPlanningFramework.

• FromaCorkperspectiveourmaindistinguishingfactorasaneconomiclocationisouravailabilityoftalentwithacollegepopulationofover40,000people;scaleofthecitywithmorethan305,000peoplelivinginthemetropolitanarea;strong,establishedclustersinICT,pharma,life-sciences,cybersecurity,energy,marine,agri-food,andfinancialservices;relativecompetitivenesscomparedtootherEuropeancities;accesstotheEuropeanMarket;ahighlyattractivework-lifebalancewithshortcommutingdistances;andexcellentconnectivitythroughbothourICTandenergyinfrastructureaswellasthroughCorkAirportandthePortofCork.

• Theopportunityisnowtomaximiseopportunitiesfromemergingeconomiesforthebenefitoftheregionasawhile.Toachievethishowevertheconnectivityinfrastructure,andsupportforregionalhubssuchasTheLudgateHubmustbeprioritised.Totrulyenablethe

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fullpotentialofwiderregionstoberealised,wehighlighttheneedtoincreaseandacceleratetheinvestmentinbroadbandconnectivityfortownsandruralareasasanessentialpillarintransformingtheeconomicprosperityacrossregionswhichalsoworkingtoenhancetheviabilityandsustainabilityofruralcommunitiesintothefuture.Forexample,currentadvancementsinagri-techhavethepowertogreatlyenhancetheprosperityofruralcommunities,howevertotrulycapitaliseontheseadvancementscommunitiesmustbeabletointeractandengagewiththeseadvancementsandthecurrentlowratesofbroadbandconnectivityisanimpedimenttothis.

• ThedevelopmentofCork’sDocklandspresentsaonce-in-a-generationopportunitytocreateawholenewurbanquarterinCorkcity.WesuggestthatdevelopmentofCork’sDocklandsisapproachedasaninternationalpilotprojectforfutureurbanplanningincorporatingconceptssuchaslivingcitiesinitiatives,smarttechnologies,urbangreening,cleanenergyandgreentransport.

• TheNorthSideofCorkCityequallyhasexcellentcapacitytogrowandaccommodatemorebusiness,FDIandhomes.ThisisparticularlyrelevantinthecontextoftheM20progressing,whichwillbeginjustbeforeBlarney.However,inordertoenablesocialandeconomicexpansionofCorkCity’sNorthSide,andalsoinsupportoftheM20Cork-Limerickmotorway,thereisaneedtoinvestinaNorthernRingRoadtoensuretrafficflowsfreelyenablinggrowthontheNorthsideoftheCity.

SECTION4:ENVIRONMENTAL,NATURALHERITAGE,COASTALAREASANDTHEMARINE


• TheprimarydeliveryandinfrastructurechallengeforCork’sDocklandstobedevelopedistherelocationofthePortofCorktoRingaskiddy,whichrequiresanupgradeoftheM28andinvestmentininfrastructuretorelocateSevesosites.Intheshort-termallfocusshouldcentreonensuringthatthePortofCorkcanmovetoanewhome,toenablefuturedevelopmentofcompactcitycentrelivinginCork.Crucially,thiscannothappenwithouttheM28beingdeliveredandthatSevesositesandfertiliseractivitiescancontinuefromanothersuitablelocation.Furthermore,the

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SilverspringsInterchange,EasternGatewayBridge,andanewrailstationatTivoliareessentialformaximisingtheopportunityofdevelopmentattheTivoliDocks.

• ToensurestructuredsustainableeconomicgrowthintheSouthernRegion,infrastructurewillbethekeyenabler.TheRSESmustfirmlyreinforcethemessagethatincreasedandsustainedinfrastructurespendiscriticalaswecontinuetogrowoureconomyandpopulation.Thecommitmenttoandconsistentinvestmentinpublictransportisessential.Weneedastepchangeinambitionforsustainabletransporttoaccommodateourprojectedgrowthandambition.AssuchaRapidTransitRouteenablingourEast-WestCityregioncorridorandmustbeacknowledgedintheRSES.

• Asregardspublictransport,CorkChamberalsoproposesthatagreenwayrunningalongthewaterfrontfromKentstationthroughTivoliandontoDunkettleandLittleIslandandalongthelowerharbourisdeveloped.Thisgreenwaywouldfacilitatebothcyclingandpedestrianpaths,andcouldhaveadualfunctionasafloodprotectionzone.

• ItwillbeimportanttoensurealinkbetweentheCommuterRaillineandtheSouthCityDocklandsBusRapidTransitlinetoensurefluidmovementinthefuture.Currentlytheplans are for two bridges. Cork Chamber proposes that one of these should beadaptabletofacilitateaLightRailinterconnector in the future.TheEasternGatewayBridge is crucial in connecting Tivoli Dockswith South Docks and to ensure a fluidmovement of people to and from the North of the City to the South of the City,especially in light of future predicted population increases. It is proposed that theEasternGatewayBridgefavoursPublic/SustainableTransportmodesinabidtoavoidover utilisation of available space allocation to car parking in the South or TivoliDocks. Thebridge should be adaptable tomeet future commuter needs and aimedat accommodating private,andpublic/sustainabletransport intheshorttomediumtermbutwithappropriatefutureemphasison sustainable modes and the ability toadapt this bridge infrastructure to meet future transportmodese.g.possibleuseasfullyLightRailinterconnector.

• We note that Cork Airport, despite having experienced terrific growth, has furthercapacity forgrowthandcanreadilybescaleduptoaccommodatemorepassengers.ThedraftNPFrecognisesthecriticalnatureofhigh-quality internationalconnectivityto Ireland’soverallcompetitivenessandtoaddress theopportunitiesandchallengesarisingfromBrexit. WeaskthattheRSESsupportsgrowthatCorkAirport, includingsupportinginfrastructureinandaroundCorkandCorkAirporttosupporttheneedsofamorepeopleandeconomicactivity inCorkand theSouthernRegion. ThePortofCorkwillbecomeanevenmoreimportantassetforIrelandandtheSouthernRegionpost Brexit. To facilitate the Port of Cork absorbing more traffic and trade, it isessentialthattheM28roadtoRingaskiddyisdeliveredontimetocompletetheport’smovefromCorkcitycentredowntoRingaskiddy.WeaskthattheRSESacknowledgesandsupportsthismove.TheupgradeofaccesstoCobhviatheR624isalsocriticaltothedevelopmentofMarinoPointandtheongoingincreaseincruisevisitornumberswhichwasupto140,000in2017andisexpectedtocontinueapace.

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SECTION5:IMPLEMENTATIONANDMONITORING


• ClarityisrequiredtoenableprecisecommentarybutanyfutureMASPmodelmustbeadaptabletolocationconditionsandmustallowforequallyrepresentativeandproactivelocalstakeholderengagementandinfluenceinthedeterminationofcontentandapplicationthereafter.Localownershipandimplementationalignedwithnationalobjectivesiscriticaltosuccessandthismustnotbeunderminedbyregionalstructures.

• WehavereservationsrelatingtotheoversightofNPFimplementationmostnotablyduetothelackofclaritycurrentlyavailableintheNPForothersupportingmaterialandlookforwardtofutureengagementasstructuresarefurtherdetermined.MuchoftheNPF’ssuccesswillbedeterminedbyhowwelltheNationalInvestmentPlanisalignedwithit,aswellashowquicklyinvestmentfundscanflowfromCentralGovernmenttoputinplacetheenablinginfrastructureallowingplaceslikeCorktogrowby25%.

Conclusion

Inconclusion,CorkChamberfirmlybelievesthatthevisionsetoutinCork2050willbeakeydriverofIrelandandthefulcrumofathrivingSouthernRegion.WeformallyrequestthatthisisacknowledgedinthecontentoftheRSES,incomplementtotheNPFandreinforcedbyanalignedInvestmentplanAsstakeholdersinsupportofthis,wehighlightthevalue-addonaregionalandnationalbasisthatCorkcanbring,andthevalueofworkingincollaborationtodrivegrowththroughastrongregionalcore.Finally,givennovisibilityoftheNPFpriortothesubmissiontothisroundoftheRSESconsultation,weemphasisetheimportanceofatransparentsecondroundofconsultationwithstakeholderstoinformthefinalRSES.

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Appendix1:LowcosthighImpactInfrastructure

1.LittleIslandTraffic

LittleIslandishometoalmost1,000companiesatpresentandmorethan16,000employees,itisCork’slargestemploymentareaandakeydriverofeconomicgrowthacrossthesouthwestregion.Currently,accessforcommutersispredominantlycharacterisedbyanoverdependenceonprivatecarleadingtogrowingcongestionimpactingcommuters,employersandlocalresidents.CorkChamberbelievesthatanumberofshorttermtransportmeasurestoalleviatetheseissuesareprudentandshouldbeprogressedintheshorttomediumterm.Measuresuchasimprovedpublictransport,cycleaccessandslipway/trafficsignallingimprovementsneedtobeimplementedandassuchshouldberecognisedandprioritisedforimmediatedeliveryalongsidethefocuseddevelopmentofwiderstrategicsolutionsforthemediumtolongterm.Theplannedexpansionoftheareamustbebasedonthedeliveryofimprovednon-vehiculartransportmodes.

BusinessesinLittleIslandhaveidentifiedanumberofshorttermandmediumtermmeasurestoinformafuturestrategytorelievetrafficcongestioninandaroundtheisland.

Shorttermmeasures:

• AcitycentrebusservicetoEastGate,andshuttlebusservicefromthetrainstationtoEastGate

• ApublicbikeshareschemewithstationslocatedacrossLittleIslandandatthetrainstation

• SecureovernightbicyclestorageandparkinginLittleIslandtofacilitateanopportunityforcommuterstomixtheirmodeandlocatedatthetrainstation.

• AsecondlaneattheR623exittoN25towardsDunkettleRoundabout.

• ReviewtrafficlightsequencingattheR623exit/entrancetoN25toaccommodatehighervolumesoftrafficatpeaktimesandgreaterefficiencyofmovement.

Mediumtermmeasures:

• NewN25easterlyentrance/exittofacilitateaccesstothestrategiczonedlandsatCourtstownandHarbourPointandeasepressureontheeasternsideofLittleIsland

• Thedevelopmentofdedicatedbusandcarpoollanesontheisland.

2.N25CorkCitytoWaterfordCitybypassofCastlemartyrandKilleagh

ToalleviateincreasingcommutercongestionforthoseaccessingemploymenthubssuchasLittleIsland,CorkCity,CityGateMahonfromtheEast,itistimelytoinitiateabypassofCastlemartyrandKilleagh.Astheconnectingroutebetweentwoexpandingurbanhubs,andnationallytheAtlanticCorridorfromWaterfordtoGalway,thisisessentialinfacilitatingfuturegrowthopportunities.

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Specifically:

• InitiateabypassofCastlemartyrandKilleagh

• Lakeviewroundaboutbottleneck–thisjunctionshouldbereviewedandupgradedtoprovidecapacityenhancements.TheLakeviewroundaboutistheonlyroutefortraffictravellingontheN25fromCorktoWaterford/RosslareandistheonlymeansofaccesstotheN25forheavyvehiclestravellingfromIreland’sEnergyParkatWhitegate.AsliproaddirectlyfromtheR630totheN25wouldincreasethesafetyforcommutersandresidentsinfacilitatingtheflowofcartrafficandheavyvehicletrafficandfacilitatethegrowthofIreland’EnergyPark.Signallingatthisroundaboutcouldalsoenhancetheflowatpeaktimes.

3.Ireland’sEnergyPark–AccessUpgrade

UpgradingoftheR630regionalroadtonationalroadstatustoensureeaseofaccesstoIrelandsEnergyHubatWhitegateholdsasignificantopportunitytoenablethepotentialofthissite.Asalreadymentioned,CorkChamberhighlightsthepotentialofdevelopingasliproadfromtheR630totheN25therebyeasingaccessandenhancingtheflowofbusinessandresidentialtraffic.

LocatedaroundCorkHarbour,thisareacomprisesthecountry’smoststrategicallyimportantclusterofenergyinfrastructure,businessesandresearchfacilities.TheEnergyHubsuppliesover25%ofIreland’senergydemands,ishometo20%ofIreland’selectricitygeneratingcapacityandthecountry’sonlyoilrefinery.ManyofthelargestenergycompaniesinIrelandarerepresentedwithintheEnergyHuborinthewiderCorkregion.

4.MarinoPoint–AccessUpgrade

TheupgradingoftheR624toenableeaseoftransittoCobh,andtothePortofCorkfacilityatMarinoPointshouldbeassessedwiththeaimtoundertakethisinthemediumterm.PreviouslyafeasibilitystudywascarriedoutbyCorkCountyCouncilandthisshouldbereviewedasapreliminarystep.Fromaroadsafetyperspective,improvedsignagetoforewarnmotoristsoftheBelvellybridgeaheadisapriorityintheshortterm.Furthermore,anupgradetotheBelvellyBridge,ortheidentificationofanalternativeroutetoaccommodateadditionaltruckmovementsisalsoadvisable.

5.Cycleandpedestriangreenways&expansionoftheCorkPublicBikeScheme

UseoftheOldPassageRailwayLineasacyclepathandpedestriangreenwayshouldbearelevantconsiderationinexaminingproposedresidentiallocationsintheCitySouthEnvirons.ThisshouldbefullyextendedtoCarrigalinewhichisalocationformajorhousingdevelopmentintothefutureandpopulationgrowth.

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ThereisanidealopportunitywiththeproposedfutureredevelopmentoftheCorkCityDocksandtheTivoliDockstoinitiateagreenwaytolinkLittleIsland/CobhviaDunkettletotheCityandfurtherafieldtoBallincolligwithCSOCensusdatafrom2016showingcyclecommutingashavingthelargestpercentageincreaseofallmeansoftransport,risingfrom39,803in2011to56,837in2016,anincreaseof42.8percentoverthefiveyears.Furthermore,anuninterruptedgreenwayroutearoundCorkHarbourwouldhaveamenityaswellascommuterbenefits.

SecurecitybasedbicycleparkingfacilitiesshouldbeconsideredacrosstheCityandatstrategiclocationse.g.busstationandtrainstation.ThiswillenablecommutersaccessingintheCorkCityenvironstheopportunitytomixtheirmode.

Sinceitscommencementin2014,theCorkCokeZeropublicbikeschemehasbeenhugelysuccessfulandhasclockedup720,000tripsinjust2.5years,5xmoretripsthanthetotalnumberseeninGalwayandLimerickandwithmorethan10,000annualsubscribersbymid-2017.ToassesstheuptakeandopinionsontheCorkPublicBikeScheme,CorkChamberrecentlyundertookasurveyofbusinessmembers.Inadditiontothis,CorkChamberaspartoftheCorkTransportandMobilityForumundertookasurveyofgeneralpublicopinionsonthesametopic.Theresultsareasfollows:60%ofthegeneralpublicsurveyedindicatedtheexpansionofthebikeschemeashighprioritywith46%statingthattheywouldusetheschemeiftherewereadditionalstationlocations,andwiththetop3numberonelocationsidentifiedandlistedbyfrequencyas1)Blackpool2)CountyHall3)Blackrock.Thetop3numberonelocationsidentifiedbyCorkChamberbusinessmembersandagainlistedbyfrequencyare1)BlackrockandDouglas2)CIT3)Blackpool.85%ofthosesurveyedstatedthattheywouldusetheschemeiftherewereadditionallocationsviaanexpansion,with55%indicatingthatanexpansionwasofhighpriority.ThereiscleardemandfortheexpansionoftheschemeandCorkChamberbelievesthatthisshouldbeundertakenintheshorttomediumtermtomatchthedemandandbuildonthesuccesstodateoftheschemeinCork.

Thedevelopmentoffit-for-purposeandinterconnectedcycleandpedestriangreenwayscouldyieldvastimpactsintheshorttomediumtermasregardsfacilitatingcommuters.

6.CarrigtwohillrailwaystationandIDAsiteaccessupgrade

ThenewrailwaystationinCarrigtwohillisunderutilisedanditisimportantthatthisissupportedbyastrategytoincreasetheamountofresidentiallyzonedlandwiththe400metreswalkingcatchment,aswellasanappropriatephasingplanwhichprovidesfortheconcurrentdevelopmentoflandseastandwestofthestation.

CarrigtwohillexhibitssomeofthehighesttrendsrelatingtooverrelianceofcarusageinCork.TheimplementationoftheCarrigtwohillNorthFrameworkMasterplanwillbecriticalinthisregard,withmodalshifttopublictransport,cyclingandwalkingidentifiedasacriticalobjective.

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WeunderstandthatanumberofprospectiveemployershavemadeenquiriesinrelationtotheIDAsiteinCarrigtwohillbutthattheviabilityofitsdevelopmentisconstrainedbytheabsenceofaviablemeansofaccesstothelandsintheformofagradeseparatedinterchange.Toleveragethepotentialofthissite,itissuggestedthattheCorkCountyCouncilandTIIexploreanupgradeoflocalaccessinfrastructurewhichmayallowforitsphasedrelease.

7.Mallowrailstationascommuterstation

InordertomaximisethevalueoftherailwaynetworkalreadyservicingCorkCity,wesuggestthatMallowisidentifiedasacommuterstationtoimprovetheaffordabilityandattractivenessofrail.WenotethatMallowislocatedasclosetoCorkasKilcockandNaasaretoDublin,bothofwhichwererecentlyincludedintheShortHopCommuterZoneresultingingreatfarereductionsforpassengers.

Similarly,theprovisionoffreeandsecurebicycleandcarparkingatcommuterstationshasastrongimpactonensuringrailasanattractivealternativetoundertakingacommutebycar.

8.Overallrailandbususage

InvestmentinparkingisneededinordertogrowcommuterrailinCork.Ifparkingfacilitieswereimprovedatstationssothatcarscouldeasilyandfreelybedroppedoff,CorkChamberbelievestherewouldbegreatpotentialtodeveloprailasarealcommuterserviceinCork,especiallyforthemanypeoplewhotraveltoLittleIslandandCorkCityforworkonadailybasis.

Inparallel,webelievethatIrishRailshouldfacilitateuserstobringon-boardtheirbicyclesfreeofchargealsoduringrushhourtoeasetheonwardjourney.Finally,webelievethereisscopeforIrishRailtobettermarkettheavailability/costofitscommuterservices.

ThephasedintroductionofaBRTsystemlinkingBallincolligandMahon,viatheCityCentreandDocklands,connecting:Docklands;KentRailStation;ƒMainBusStation;ƒUCC,BonSecoursHospital,CUH,CorkCo.Co.Offices,CITandproposedScienceParkisamustandhasthepotentialtofacilitatecurrentandlatentdemandviaanefficientandfastconnectionservice.AhighqualityBRTsystemhassimilarbenefitstoaLightRailandsoitgivesthesametransportationandenvironmentalbenefits;andismorecosteffectivethanLightRailandasaresulttheeconomicreturnisgreater(BRTforCorkRegionwillcost~€300m,LRTwillcost~€1bn).

Busandrailfaresshouldbereviewedinlinewithchangingtravelpatternsandincreaseddailycommuterdistancessoastopromoteachangeinbehavioursandfeasiblyenablecommuterstomixtheirmodeandchooseanothercommutingoptionthatdoesnotnegativelyimpactontheirpockets.Faresshouldbeaffordableanddependable.

9.AdditionofParkandRidelocationsontheNorthandEastoftheCity

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TheadditionofParkandRidefacilitiestothenorthandeastoftheCitywouldgreatlyfacilitatecommutersaccessingmajoremploymenthubs.The‘Park&Ride’couldbelinkedtorailnetwork,andbusnetwork.

• Park&RideatredundantBlarneyRailStation

• Park&RideatCarrigtwohillWest(NewStation)

• Toincludebusconnectiontomajoremploymenthubsoutsideofrailnetworke.g.Loughmahon,CorkUniversityHospital

10.Promotionofcarpoolingthroughexistingtollboothsandduringpeakhours

ThiscouldbepromotedviathedesignationofoneoftheexistingtolllanesontheM8tomakeitfreeofchargetothosecarpoolingduringpeakcommutehours.Thiswillworktoalleviatecongestion,andthenumberofonepersonoccupancycars.

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Appendix2:CorkChamberIreland2040Submission

PleaseseetheattachedPDFsubmission:

Submission to Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy - Cork … · 2019-03-15 · Cork Airport ......

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