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 This year Nenagh is the tidiest town in Tipperary, that is according to the latest round of the Irish Business Against Litter’s Anti Litter League (IBAL).
The town has risen in the ranks from 49th place (Littered) in 2010, to now 18th place in the league, and deemed “Clean to European Norms” by IBAL. Nenagh now ranks above Clonmel, latter in 28th place and Tipperary Town, holding 51st position (Littered) .
Thurles, previously deemed “Clean to European Norms,” in 2010 by IBAL, did not feature in this round of the league.
The Nenagh litter report, which was carried out by An Taisce, for IBAL, pointed out that Nenagh languished in 49th position last year and that their new ranking goes to demonstrate what can be achieved with a community approach to tackling litter problems.
Martin Langton of Nenagh Tidy Towns Committee, stated that he now looked forward to new Local Authority driven initiatives to tackle existing problems in 2012, and further commented, that this result is a huge tribute to those involved in the towns anti-litter drive. It was also his fervent hope that this result would encourage people to continue in their efforts.
A new 550kW Biomass Boiler is currently under construction east of the Thurles Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre here in Thurles.
 Biomass Installation The project is estimated to cut the cost of the heating necessary for this local state of the art facility by one third, to under €100,000 per year.
Currently this venue costs €150,000 each year to heat, using bulk liquid propane gas, however now this new installation will be fueled using biomass, latter fuel which can be sourced locally.
This new venture should have the impact of retaining large money savings for within the local economy, thus resulting in more money for the support of other commercial purposes within Thurles.
Added to this, Thurles Town Council’s commitment to a reduction of the towns carbon foot print, has meant that the Swimming Pool management have embarked on improving further energy efficiency measures, e.g. installing additional wall insulation and lighting controls at this popular leisure facility.
By undertaking this project, Thurles Town Council now set a prime example to others in the Public Sector, on how they can lead the way, in strengthening other local economies.
 Deputy Noel Coonan TD Noel Coonan TD has welcomed today’s announcement that €105,415 has been allocated to North Tipperary County Council to assist the authority in meeting the costs associated with the operation of their Bring Banks and Civic Amenity Facilities.
Speaking to Thurles.Info this morning, Deputy Coonan said; “It is important to promote recycling now and into the future, especially as most landfills have closed or are about to close. This money will encourage our local authorities to continue to provide necessary waste management infrastructure. We can see that civic amenity facilities are hugely successful, and this funding is an incentive to increase opening hours and facilities throughout the constituency.”
Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today announced the provision of €5 million in funding to assist local authorities in meeting the costs associated with the operation of their Bring Banks and Civic Amenity Facilities for the period January to June 2011.
The funding is provided from the Environment Fund, through which the proceeds of the plastic bag and landfill levies are utilised to provide assistance and support, in respect of a range of waste management, litter and other environmental initiatives.
It is numbered amongst the last Irish environmental treasures, which as yet, remains relatively free of unwanted interference by mankind, instead remaining supervised solely by Mother Nature. It is the home of the green-listed Grey Heron and feeding ground to the dwindling population of native Bumble Bees. Within its boundaries grow undisturbed, Bronze Fennel, Wavy Bitter-cress, Shepherds Purse, Golden-saxifrage, Common Mouse-ear, Barren Strawberry, and a huge variety of Wild Orchids. Here also one can view numerous varieties of Dragon Fly, the rarely viewed Hummingbird Hawk Moth, Froghopper’s Cuckoo Spit, Juda’s Ear and a huge variety of sedges, grasses, reeds, animal and bird life habitats.
It is a place frequented by walkers, photographers, lovers, artists, and sometimes those with heavy hearts. It is an amazing area for inquisitive children in search of knowledge, where Mother Nature hands to teachers a clean blank blackboard, with which to educate future generations. I speak of course of Cabragh Wetlands.
However if either North Tipperary Planning (Ref: 10510413) or An Board Pleanala (Ref: PL22.238800) and their elected officials kowtow to business and personal political interests, and as we have seen recently in the case of Two Mile Borris, they go against the advice of their own planning inspectorate, then this rare environmental treasure, will slowly become a disease infected wasteland.
In an article published on this site in April of this year, we highlighted that a proposed Thurles Recycling Centre, was to be located at the old Thurles Sugar Factory site, in Cabragh and had been given the ‘green light,’ after planning permission was granted for the facility by North Tipperary County Council. This decision was subsequently and justifiably appealed by local angry residents, to an Bord Pleanala.
After much delay O’Dwyer Skip Hire Ltd, (T/A Envirobin) have replied to An Board Pleanala’s request of August last, for further planning information. I am reliably informed that An Board Pleanala has not been so generous regarding time constraints, to those objecting to this project, allowing them only 10 days for to prepare any future defence.
Drug dealers, murderers and other major criminals, in this country, can apply successfully for free legal aid / funding, to defend in many cases the indefensible. However persons attempting to protect their local environment against outside events, in this case Cabragh/Ballycurrane Residents Association, must fund their own defence against events totally foisted on them.
While I totally support the theory of Waste Management and the building of Waste Transfer Stations, the erection of such a facility in a rural town, in the centre of a populated residential area, within metres of the River Suir, latter which crosses county Tipperary from north to south, and close to a National Heritage Site, defies all logical reasoning.
Continue reading Thurles May Become A Public Dump For Five Counties
 Oakfield Drive bonfire remains after local celebrations. Numerous Residents living in the Oakfield Drive, Stradavoher, area of Thurles claim they were intimidated by youths, who threw fireworks and bangers, deliberately targeting private homes in this area.
Just one of many emails received today, sums up the torment experienced during the night by residents in this area.
Dear sir,
It is just past midnight and I am sitting on my hall stairs waiting for the next banger to come at my house. Steadily since 8pm there has been bangers and screamers aimed at my home, the third one blew the letter box both inside and out from my door, and blew the curtain from its hooks on the inside of the front door. I have literally been sick with fright since then.
There is a bonfire built in the middle of our green, latter which was looking lovely up till now, and there is a gang of between 10 and 25 young boys and girls hanging around it. Every now and again they go off as if like commandos in different directions and pelt bangers/screamers at 3 specific houses, mine included.
Why? I do not know,I was in my kitchen baking when the banger hit my door, so its not as if I was out haranguing them about the noise. The gardai have been called and they have called up to the estate not once, not twice, but at least 6 times since 8.00pm, they are understaffed and its a bad night to be on call.
I understand this, but every year for the past 4 years the same behaviour has gone on in this estate and there is nothing being done about it. One of the boys mothers is actually standing watching while her “pride and joy” harasses and terrorises his neighbours, and no I am not joking.
I am sick to my stomach at the blatant lack of respect shown to neighbours here tonight but what can I expect any more? I have to be up for work in 6 hours and there is no way I am sleeping tonight with my letterbox gone, I have no way of covering it till the morning and I am terrified of what they will put through it next. This is 2011 and Thurles town, not the 1970’s in Belfast.
Yours, just one of many frightened resident. (Authors name withheld.)
We examined this complaint earlier today, and were amazed to see that amongst the contents used in the bonfire were old carpets, and other property owned by Thurles Town Council.
The law is quite clear on this matter. Relevant legislation on this issue includes Section 32 of the Waste Management Act 1996 to 2005 and Section 4 of the Air Pollution Act 1987. The main objective of this legislation is to prevent environmental pollution and the creation of nuisance emissions respectively. Section 32 of the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2005 states a “person shall not hold, transport, recover or dispose of waste in a manner that causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution“. Section 4 of the Air Pollution Act, 1987 defines air pollution as “a condition of the atmosphere in which a pollutant is present in such a quantity as to be liable to:-
(i) be injurious to public health, or
(ii) have a deleterious effect on flora or fauna or damage property, or
(iii) impair or interfere with amenities or with the environment.”
If the burning results in any of the three points above, in particular cause a nuisance as in point (iii,) then air pollution would be considered to have been caused. We have advised the residents who contacted us that they should contact the Environment Section of their County Council, as some county and local authorities have made bye-laws to regulate this matter.
The question now remains “Has Thurles Town Council implemented bye-laws to protect, not just humans, but also wildlife and pets.” If not then when do they intend to implement same, in an effort to protect frightened town residents.
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