Thurles Information

Over the past 25 years, due to the failure of all ‘Elected Representatives ‘ and indeed others, taking on the mantle of responsibility for promoting Thurles, little has been achieved in the way of job creation. Town residents have had to listen to tortuous, self promoting and political vote catching pontification from representatives, while little real industry has been attracted offering real job creation prospects to the town and surrounding areas.

Instead, any real anchored industry, offering good employment in the town, e.g. Erin Foods, Sugar Factory etc., has been allowed to slowly evaporated, without any real effort to obtain any kind of replacement.

Now it would appear that the word ‘Jobs ‘ immediately has everyone dropping to their knees in devout gratitude, even if these jobs are a minuscule reward for permitting ‘Dirty Industry ‘ into the heart of our residential estates. It is not surprising therefore that the Tipperary Star newspaper this week carries a headlines declaring “Anger as Thurles Recycling Centre Gets Go Ahead.”

From this article we glean that a proposed ‘Recycling Centre ‘ is to be located at the now desolate old Thurles Sugar Factory site in Cabragh and has been given the ‘green light ‘, after planning permission was granted for this  facility by North Tipperary County Council.  We learn from the beneficial owner, quote “The Council’s decision is a green light for the creation of much needed jobs, (Possibly 5 low paid jobs) for a cleaner county, a better environment and a new recycling service for households and businesses on the site of the old Sugar Factory.”

Note that stated word ‘Jobs ‘ folks, but before you fall to your knees in prayer and thanksgiving, ask the simple questions:-
(a) “What will be the personal cost of such industry.
(b) “Why is such a facility, which attracts foul smells, pollution-spewing trucks, dust and debris blowing around, being located in the centre of a residential area, metres from an Environmental Heritage Site, close to a Golf Course and south of our town.”

Note: I have drawn attention to the positioning of this facility as ‘South of Thurles ‘, since our annual prevailing wind, for 80% of the year, blows from the south west and would carrying the litter, pollutants and stench, generated by this facility, right across the most populated areas of Thurles.

Opponents to the proposed plan, The Cabragh/Ballycurrane Residents Association, justifiable argue that the proposed transfer station will adversely impact on the environment, discourage future development, lower property values even further in a depleted market place and invite even further traffic unto a dangerous narrow, minor road.

“But what about the ‘Jobs ” I cried?  The replies came hard and fast from angry residents, “Why would future clean industry offering real employment, want to invest in an area where this dirty industry is operated?  This project means long term foul smells, pollution-spewing trucks, raising noise levels, airborne infections, latter requiring long hospitalizations (Of course, I had forgotten that all our Elected Representatives had failed to save our North Tipperary Hospital, also.) and dust/debris blowing around our gardens.

I now asked residents the following questions, in an effort to get at the root of their anger:-
(Q) What is proposed for the “Old Sugar Factory” site?
(A) A Waste Transfer Station.

(Q) What is a Waste Transfer Station?
(A) Rubbish is collected and brought to this site, where it is separated and bailed for onward transmission.

(Q) What type of rubbish?
(A) All sorts. Household, Brown, Green and Red Bin content, Industrial Waste, Skips, Construction and Demolition waste.

Continue reading Must Thurles Now Accept Dirty Industry?

WEEE is anything with a plug normally attached and WEEE Ireland will be making collections from 10.00a.m until 4.00pm, on Saturday 28th of May 2011 from the following Venues:- Town Car Park, Main Square, Templemore and the Mid-Tipperary Mart Yard, Stradavoher, herein Thurles Town.

So here is your chance to bring along your old appliances for recycling. Remember this is a completely FREE service, eliminating the temptation to dump illegally.

Illegal Dumping In Tipperary

Joe MacGrath, County Manager, North Tipperary County Council.

Speaking of illegal dumping, North Tipperary County Council are introducing hidden CCTV cameras at illegal dumping sites, so those of you who demonstrate a total disregard for our beautiful rural countryside and its inhabitants,”Watch your backs“.

In 2011 an already agreed and welcome zero tolerance approach will continue to be taken to illegal dumping. With the purchase of CCTV cameras, CCTV surveillance will come into operation immediately at various illegal dumping sites, including Bring Banks and Recycling Centres, throughout North Tipperary.

Illegal dumping is unsightly, degrading, costly to clean up and can be harmful to children, pets and wildlife. The new mobile cameras will rotate around North Tipperary, to ensure that those individuals who dump rubbish illegally, can be successfully prosecuted.

Note: Leaving or throwing litter in a public place is an offence that can be subject to an on the spot fine of €150 or a maximum fine of €3,000 if you are convicted of a litter offence in the District Court. It should be noted that it is an offence, under the Litter Pollution Act to leave any waste materials including bags of household waste, bottles, plastics, cardboard boxes etc. in the vicinity of bring bank sites. Bring banks are provided for members of the public to recycle glass bottles and aluminium cans. North Tipperary recorded the highest percentage increase in glass tonnage collected, comparing Jan-Sept 2009 to Jan-Sept 2010. This constituted a percentage increase of some 13%.

However, at a minority of bring bank sites, members of the public cannot access the Bring Banks due to dumping. If a bring bank is full then bottles or cans should be brought to another location or return later, when the banks have been emptied.

Speaking recently on this initiative, Mr Joe MacGrath, County Manager, North Tipperary County Council, stated, “Illegal dumping is unnecessary and causes a lot of concern for our countryside and all the wildlife that inhabits it. We are also disappointed that some Bring Sites are being misused in this way as they are important facilities for communities. North Tipperary County Council is trying to encourage people to recycle as much of their waste as possible and reduce the amount going to landfill. We have also had people leaving their recyclables in plastic bags because they are too lazy to empty them into the banks“.  He further added, “CCTV has been installed at sites throughout North Tipperary in order to deter illegal dumping and where it does occur North Tipperary County Council will be enforcing the litter legislation to its fullest extent and offenders will be prosecuted. Remember, people found littering are liable to an immediate fine of €150.”

North Tipperary County Council is appealing to the public to be vigilant when it comes to litter and protection of the environment and to contact the Litter Hotline on 1850 250 350 to report incidences of illegal dumping.

This continuing zero tolerance initiative, by North Tipperary County Council, is to be welcomed.