SAMRA 2019 AGM13 January 2020 1

Agenda

• Welcome & Introductions: David Turner

• Chair Address: Joan MacArthur

• Financial Report: Liam Handy

• SAMRA 2019 Overview: David Turner & Stephen Hurley

• Elections to Committee for 2020 and Volunteers: Joan MacArthur

• Discussion Q&A: SAMRA Leads / ALL

New items raised will be noted for follow up and potential inclusion in the 2020 SAMRA Agenda!

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CHAIR AND TREASURER UPDATESJoan MacArthur & Liam Handy

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Chair Address: Joan MacArthur

SAMRA’s Lorna Kelly interviewed on NewsTalk(August 2019)

SAMRA Family Fun Day(June 2019)

Roslyn Park School Planning Application(December 2019)

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Financial Status: Liam Handy (Treasurer)2019 2018 2017 2016

1 INCOME €7,312 €4,479 €4,874 €4,566

2 EXPENDITURE €5,092 €2,059 €2,072 €1,570

3 EXCESS of Income over Expenditure €2,220 €2,419 €2,802 €2,996

4 SURPLUS BROUGHT FORWARD €13,307 €10,888 €8,085 €5,089

BALANCE SHEET AS ATYEAR END (SEPT) €15,528 €13,307 €10,888 €8085

NET ASSETS €15,528 €13,307 €10,888 €8,085

1. Approval: Formal Process Proposing and Seconding2. Public Signing : Chairperson / Treasurer

NEXT STEPS:

AGM Majority Endorsement : Proposed: ……………………. Seconded: ………………………. 5

SAMRA OVERVIEW

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David Turner

SAMRA Overview: AimsvTo protect the environs of Sandymount Village, Sandymount Strand &

Dublin Bay

vTo give the residents a voice, empowering & leveraging collective representation

vA platform to :ØProvide visibility of proposals and development schemesØProvide an integrated overview of schemes likely to impact the areaØSupport key decision points and dates, enabling SAMRA input

vTo enable residents to develop key messages and make critical input to decisions

See www.samra.ie for further information on SAMRA’s aims, key issues, events,

minutes and governance 7

http://www.samra.ie/

SAMRA Overview: Committee and Membership

• Members• Joan MacArthur (Chair) Lorna Kelly (Planning)• Liam Handy (Treasurer) David Turner (Secretary)• Irene Duffy Lynch Paddy Dunne• Stephen Hurley Finian Loftus• Fergus Murray p/t• Secretarial Service Support – Geraldine Walsh (121 IT Training)

• Monthly meetings with minutes and actions published online (www.samra.ie)

2019 Committee

• 117 paid up subscriptions, comprised of families and individuals • GDPR compliant database established with systems transition ongoing **• Updates and communications by website, Facebook (430 followers!), Newsletter Quarterly -

with >80% read rate), Mailshots & leaflet drops (as required)

Membership & Communications

• Membership Subscription & Donation/ Raffle at Comunity Day/ DCC & AVIVA Community Grants• Subscription Payments accepted online via Pay-pal (available at www.samra.ie)• Local Business contributions – see next page

Funding

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http://www.samra.ie/http://www.samra.ie/

A special thank you to all of our local support and annual Fun Day contributors….!

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SAMRA Overview: Our Elected Representatives

Merrion

Local Councillors - Pembroke

TDs & Senators – Dublin Bay SouthEoghan Murphy TD Fine Gael Eoghan.murphy@oireachtas.ieJim O’Callaghan TD Fianna Fail Jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ieKate O’Connell TD Fine Gael Kate.oconnell@oireachtas.ieEamon Ryan TD Green Party Eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ieKevin Humphreys SEN Labour kevin.humphreys@oir.ie

Dermot Lacey Labour dermot.lacey@labour.ieClaire O’Connor Fianna Fail Claire.Oconnor@Dublincity.IeJames Geoghegan Fine Gael James.Geoghegan@dublincity.ieHazel Chu Green Party Hazel.Chu@dublincity.iePaddy McCartan Fine Gael paddy.mccartan@dublincity.ie

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mailto:Eoghan.murphy@oireachtas.iemailto:Jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.iemailto:Kate.oconnell@oireachtas.iemailto:Eamon.ryan@oireachtas.iemailto:kevin.humphreys@oir.iemailto:dermot.lacey@labour.iemailto:claire.oconnor@dublincity.iemailto:James.Geoghegan@dublincity.iemailto:Hazel.Chu@dublincity.iemailto:paddy.mccartan@dublincity.ie

SAMRA PRIORITIES 2019 / 2020

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Stephen Hurley

SAMRA Priorities:1. Environment & Climate Change

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TOPIC SUMMARY OF SAMRA ACTIVITIES IN 2019 STATUS AND NEXT STEPS FOR 2020

PoolbegIncinerator

• Communicated to EPA & Councillors* gaps & potential risk exposure in relation to emergency response procedure for scenarios external to plant site

Seek further discussions with EPA to push for greater transparency and assurance

Sewage, Drainage and Flooding

• Received and monitored DCC monthly gully reports (2 years)

• Raised concerns over inadequate wastewater treatment with Local Councillors*

• Sought further clarity over flood alleviation works

Continued engagement andprofile raising, in particular as part of upcoming Dublin City Development plan

SandymountStrand, Beach & Irishtown Nature Reserve

• Active engagement with Councillors* covering general deterioration of facilities

• Active support and publicity of Zostera Seagrassprotection recommendations and Ectocarpusseaweed clearance issues

• Engagement with Martello Tower owner as to future plans

Continue to work together with DCC, Tidy Towns, beach cleaners and other organisations to improve the Strand and ensure protection and expansion of Nature Reserve

* SAMRA met with Local Councillors in September 2019 to discuss our priorities. Further detail and actions are available at www.samra.ie

http://www.samra.ie/

Sandymount Strand – one of Dublin’s most important amenities – has sadly become neglected…

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SAMRA Priorities:2. Safety & Accessibility

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TOPIC SUMMARY OF SAMRA ACTIVITIES IN 2019 STATUS AND NEXT STEPS FOR 2020

Bus Connects Multiple responses to consultation regarding protection of key bus routes, continued North / South Dublin access and retention of trees on Merrion Road

Continue engagement on proposals

Strand RoadTraffic

• Engagement with Garda Community Policing Unit and DCC

• Raised issues regarding HGV traffic and ‘rat runs’ with Councillors*

Work with Garda and DCC to improve enforcement and safety

SandymountGreen Traffic Plan

Engaged with DCC team on proposals and sought updates from Councillors*

Work with DCC to ensure implementation works for residents and local businesses

SAMRA Priorities:3. Heritage & Community

1870 Ordnance Survey map of Sandymount

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TOPIC SUMMARY OF SAMRA ACTIVITIESIN 2019

STATUS AND NEXT STEPS FOR 2020

Roslyn Park School Planning

• Made submissions to DCC, focussing particularly on traffic and access issues

• Worked closely with Seafortresidents

Monitor outcome of planning process and further engagement as required

Preservation of Architectural Conservation Area (ACA)

Continued work to raise profile of Sandymount as an ACA

Continue work and engagement

Poolbeg West SDZ Planning Application

Approved by An Bord Pleanalasubject to a number of conditions

Continue monitoring of construction and adherence to planning conditions

Roslyn Park – site of planning application

SAMRA Outreach and Engagement in 2019

Grand Canal Dock Residents’ Association• Meeting in October to offer advice and

support

Local Councillors• Session in September to explain SAMRA

priorities and discuss areas of mutual interest (see website and backup materials for detailed actions)

Garda Traffic Enforcement• Engagement with Donnybrook

Superintendent and Irishtown Community Policing Unit to raise issues on Strand Road and local traffic enforcement

Seafort Residents’ Association • Worked closely with residents particularly

affected by Roslyn Park planning application

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2020 COMMITTEE ELECTION

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Election of Committee for 2020

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2019 2020

Joan MacArthur Chair (2014-2019) Nomination for re-election: Treasurer

Liam Handy - Treasurer Nomination for re-election: Committee member

Lorna Kelly - Planning Nomination for re-election: Planning

David Turner - Secretary Offering nomination for Re-Election to Committee as Chair

Stephen Hurley - Planning Nomination for re-election as Secretary

Finian Loftus Not Standing

Irene Duffy Lynch Nomination for re-election

Paddy Dunne Nomination for re-election

Fergus Murray Nomination for re-election

*Co-opted for Project suport: Roisin Kelly; Eva Lloyd Eva Lloyd Nomination for Election

Vacancies for New Members

AGM Majority Endorsement : Proposed: ………………………. Seconded: …………………….

DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS

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Discussion – Open Floor

We have summarised the areas of work and priorities pursued by SAMRA in 2019

Were they the right ones?

Do we have your support in 2020?

What are the BIG issues for SAMRA to pursue in 2020 and beyond?

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Close and thank you!

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BACK UP

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Overview – SAMRA Meeting with Pembroke Ward Councillors

12 September 2019ACTIONS UPDATE 25-11-19

www.samra.ie

Councillor’s Meeting : ENVIRONMENT What is SAMRA asking for ? SAMRA actions What can the Councillors do to help ? UPDATE 25-11-19

1 Protection of Zostra Seagrass areas – raise public awareness

Include notice on SAMRA website to raise awareness

Erection of demarcation signage to enable self-policing of the sensitive areas

DONE – SAMRATBA - COUNCILLORS

2 Strand Beach frontage – is in a complete state of disrepair and neglect e.g.• Overgrown, Graffiti covered rusting containers

Broken, missing handrails due to corrosion• Damaged, rusting car park barriers• Debris, broken sandbags

SAMRA to consider organizing Community beach clean up

• Work with Dublin Council authorities to clean up Strand, including fixing damaged and broken fixtures

• Consider installing rubbish collection panels to encourage users of the Strand

• BEACH CLEAN-UPS OCCURRING – SAMRAFACILITATING AND PROMOTING

3 Victoria Baths - upgrade Consider installation of a suitable Community art mural project – an approach has been made

• CONTRACTOR HAS DECLINED BUT OPTION HAS BEEN WELL EXPLORED BY SAMRA

4 Martello Tower – to make use of this UNESCO heritage amenity

SAMRA to write to M.Doyle to add to DCC’s correspondence

Advocate for transfer to public ownership and bring into appropriate use

• SAMRA LETTER SENT to Owner• DCC Letter Sent to Owner

5 SEWAGE – to chart a a course of action which ultimately prevents the 1.5 spillages per month onto Sandymount’s “Blue Flag” Beach – (one of only 6 beaches in Ireland which cannot meet specification and which is an EU nature conservation area)

• Clarify status of proposed new waste water treatment plant

• Challenge the current upgrade plan, which will NOT address the problem at all. The new INCOMING demand will again EXCEED the new upgrade capacity. The only solution is go seek additional residence capacity to accommodate rainwater “spike” discharges – which will require resource.

• Consider whether existing redundant tankage could provide a ready made solution

• Councillor’s update; wastewater plant has received planning permission. Labour continuing to press for long promised expansion of Pembroke/Rathmines Drainage scheme

6 PROTECTED LAND AREA – to uphold promises made prior to temporary use for the Incinerator Project to return this to “Original Condition” This has now been transferred to Irish Water which undermines and conflicts with the original Planning consent

Provide clarity on the land ownership before long range commitments are made on transferred undertaking to Irish Water

• DCC – Reply received confirming SHORT TERM use only by IRISH WATER and will then be restored.

Councillor’s Meeting SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITYWhat is SAMRA asking for ? SAMRA actions What can the Councillors do

to help ?UPDATE 25-11-19

7 TRAFFIC – Unregulated HGV traffic has become a major source of SAFETY concern for most residents in Sandymount :• With dangerous mix of pedestrians,

cyclists, HGVs running from Strand Road across the Sandymount village “rat-runs”

SAMRA to write to new Superintendent in Donnybrook Tim Burke SAMRA to write to Dalata Hotel Group regarding Tara Towers site

• Respond to the request to consider weight restrictions for traffic entering the area

• Police the existing regulation and consider adding 24 hour restrictions on HGV (currently only 7am to 7pm)

• Identify number of permits issued for 5 axle trucks on Strand Road and number of fines issued

• Clarify data use for HGV enforcement app• Identify place of deposit of waste from

Tara Towers development• Contact Tara Towers developers to check

whether traffic plan in place and being adhered to

• SAMRA – letter to Superintendent and follow up

• COUNCILLOPRS – TBC

8 TRAFFIC – Unregulated HGV traffic is causing damage across the Sandymount infrastructure, which are generally narrow, shallow foundation roads, suitable for pedestrian, car access only

SAMRA to gather thoughts and evidence in preparation for City Development Plan in 2020

Challenge the EVOLVED designation of main arterial road which is the root cause of the issue

• SAMRA – letter to Superintendent and follow up

9 SANDYMOUNT VILLAGE – clarity on the Village green plan, to remove the stress and concern for residents and traders

Respond to the SAMRA letter with the DEFINED plan which was costed as the basis for the work programme

• Awaiting update

Councillor’s Meeting : HERITAGE & PLANNING

What is SAMRA asking for ?

SAMRA actions What can the Councillors do to help ?

UPDATE 25-11-19

10 To support the AIMS of SAMRA and prevent the continuing erosion of this architecturally protected area

SAMRA to gather thoughts and evidence regarding densification and height in planning applications in preparation for City Development Plan in 2020

Planning applications are continually referencing the government “Densification” strategy as a justification in marginal situations. This provision requires carefully judged application –beyond the absolute specifics of the planning regulationsCouncillors are asked to be aware and monitor

11 “Roddy’s Yard” & “Tram Sheds” Have they been added to the listed buildings register ?

COUNCILLOR UPDATE being sought

12 St John’s Church Hall Has this been added to the listed buildings register ?

COUNCILLOR UPDATE : yet to be added

13 Assistance with overall cleanliness Continued engagement with STTC

Illegal window cleaning posters on pillar boxesGraffitti across the Strand facilities

COUNCILLOR UPDATE : will seek removal as requested