A ‘roadmap’ outlining what Galway should look like in 2030 is “crucial” if Galway is to become “Europe’s most attractive waterfront city” over the next 20 years, according to Galway West TD Frank Fahey.
Dep Fahey believes such a plan is necessary to provide for the city’s “sustainable expansion”. As part of this, the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is expected to make an announcement in the coming weeks regarding Galway’s positioning as a ‘Demonstration Sustainable Travel Area’ as outlined in the Government’s recently launched travel policy Smart Travel.
The last 10 to 15 years has seen Galway expand to the point where Oranmore and Barna are close to becoming suburbs of the city. The Ardaun new town development between Merlin Park and Oranmore will also cater for a population growth of 10,000.
As a result, Dep Fahey is calling for the strategic plan. “This is now a prerequisite before we make major mistakes that cannot be undone,” he said.
He said the 2030 roadmap will be the “top priority” for Fianna Fáil councillors on the Galway City Council after June’s Local Elections. He said the candidates will, over the coming weeks, outline the direction the party will move if it is successful in gaining or sharing a majority in City Hall.
Fianna Fáil will make a proposal to city manager Joe MacGrath in July regarding the preparation of a 2030 plan to be carried out jointly by the city council and the private sector.
According to Dep Fahey, the 2030 roadmap will prioritise development of sustainable travel, development of Galway as a ‘Smart Travel City’; develop the sustainable energy market for job creation and energy preservation; and set realistic timescales for the implementation of policy initiatives in the long-term interests of the city’s development.
“These will be broad objectives, not election promises,” said Dep Fahey, “but they will give the public an opportunity to see what Fianna Fáil sees as priorities for the development of the city.”
