A 10-year development strategy to make Waterford a vibrant city with a distinct national identity was unveiled yesterday, writes Chris Dooley, in Waterford.
The draft plan, which aims to turn Waterford into "the number one environmentally friendly city in Ireland", is to be adopted following a six-week public consultation process.
Drawn up by the Waterford City Development Board, it sets out ambitious targets for the city's economic, cultural and social development. It also spells out how far Waterford and the south-east have fallen behind other cities and regions in socio-economic terms.
Average income in the region is 79 per cent of the national average, unemployment stands at 4.9 per cent compared to 3.9 per cent for the State as a whole, while only 14.7 per cent of people from the south-east have attended third-level education, compared to 19 per cent nationally.
Regional population projections by the Central Statistics Office forecast that population growth in the State will be 25.9 per cent by 2031, compared to just 0.7 per cent in the south-east.
Waterford city also loses out when compared to other regional gateways. Only 24 per cent of the city's population has a third-level qualification, compared to 33 per cent in Dublin and 42 per cent in Galway. Just over a quarter of Waterford's population live in a "level five" deprived area - the highest level of deprivation.
However, Waterford has much going for it, the plan emphasises.
The oldest city in Ireland, it is steeped in culture and "is one of the richest cities in Ireland in terms of its preserved ancient walls". Its social fabric is built on vibrant local communities and its visual appearance continues to improve. With a population of 54,500, its influence extends far beyond its boundaries and, economically, it supports a population of more than 100,000.
Marketing and promoting the city, not just to outsiders but to local residents, is a key element of the plan. "The level of awareness of Waterford as a place is disappointing," it says.
The city could benefit from the fact that people living in Dublin are re-assessing their lives. "Pressure to have dual incomes to support expenditure, a feeling of anonymity in the community and an overall lack of personal fulfilment are a reality for many living in the Dublin region. Against this type of backdrop, the attractions of Waterford city and what it has to offer can appear very strong."
The need for improved public transport in the south-east is also addressed. The plan points out that in a quarterly national household survey in 2000, 99.1 per cent in the region said they never used public transport to get to work.
The Waterford City Development Board is made up of 27 members drawn from the State, business and community sectors.
Copies of the strategy are available from the Office of Community and Enterprise in City Hall, Waterford, and it can also be accessed at the development board's website: www.waterford cdb.ie The closing date for submissions is February 22nd.