Galway City Community Network is urging community groups to have their say on the future of the city by taking part in a public consultation process for the next City Development Plan in February.
The GCCN is hosting a series of thematic online townhalls next month for groups with a stake in the city to have their first say in the City Development Plan 2023-2029 during the pre-draft public consultation stage.
At a meeting of the GCCN City Development Plan Task Group, members emphasised the need to ensure that the new plan will represent the interests of the diverse communities in the city.
It was also emphasises that the plan must tackle issues of deep concern such as the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, the housing crisis, sustainable transport and economic inequality, delivering in the process a tangible legacy for Galway communities.
Brendan Mulligan, from Engineers Ireland West Region, a member of GCCN, said “Every 6 years the preparation of a new City Development Plan gives those of us who live and work in Galway an opportunity to have our say in shaping the future of our city.
“Let’s all get proactively involved in a meaningful collaboration with Galway City Council and others in making Galway a better, happier, healthier more prosperous place for us all”.
Galway City Community Network (GCCN) is a network of 145 community, voluntary and environmental organisations active in Galway City, serving as a conduit between those groups and Galway City Council.
The townhall meeting dates and topics for February are:
- Climate Action: Wednesday, 3rd February, 6pm – 7pm
- Community, Culture and Education: Thursday, 4th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Green Network and Biodiversity: Monday, 8th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Population Growth and Housing: Tuesday, 9th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Economic Development, Employment and Enterprise: Wednesday, 10th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Transport and Sustainable Mobility: Thursday, 11th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Energy and Infrastructure: Thursday, 18th February, 6pm – 7pm
- Built Environment and Placemaking Sustainable Neighbourhoods: Monday, 22nd February, 6pm
- Older People & People with Disabilities: TBC
Ann Irwin, GCCN Co-ordinator, said: “Given the limitations brought by the current pandemic, people have Zoom and consultation fatigue by now.
“GCCN intends to deliver thematic one-hour meetings to allow people to choose the area that interests them.”
“To keep the discussions focused and maximise the quality of the input shared, the attendees will receive a checklist of what is required prior to each meeting.”
The meetings are open to all GCCN members and other interested people but please remember to register.
Further information on this is available on the GCCN website – www.galwaycitycommunitynetwork.ie.
Details on the two year process of creating the next City Development Plan, the current public consultation stage of which is due to run until March 5, can be found at www.galwaycity.ie/development-plan-2023-2029.
