THE Shannon Estuary and the surrounding lands have “mighty potential to bring investment” to the region, if plans to develop it are carried out sufficiently,” according to county councillor, John Sheehan. Limerick County Council director, Tom Enright believes that a framework plan for the estuary will help identify what is lacking in infrastructure for the future of the region.
He was commenting following a presentation given to members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Consultant, Dr. Alan Barr, told the meeting that the process of the development, led by Clare County Council, was to collect data, to listen to input from the relevant authorities and to come to a consensus on what was to be done.
“Shannon Estuary is a natural deep water harbour and a special preservation area of the bottle-nosed dolphin.
“We have a 30- year vision for its development and by June 2012, we hope to have a draft including environmental assessments – how ambitious you want the plan to be is up to yourselves”.
Dr Barr said that the Foynes Port and Shannon Airport were key to the plan as was the development of tourism.
“It’s important to rezone the land and balance the ecosystems of the area. – a masterplan could serve good purpose”.
Cllr John Sheahan FG, said the estuary region was “very disjointed in economic and industrial development.
“However, it has mighty potential to bring in investment”.
He said that plans had been presented in the the past. “Take for example the land bank in Tarbert – there have been a lot of false dawns there but .we should develop what we already have to the max before looking at greenfield sites along the Shannon Estuary”.
