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A councillor who represents a community labelled
one of the country’s worst litter blackspots has launched
a blistering attack on an anti-litter group.
Cork’s deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Tony Fitzgerald (FF) said Irish
Business Against Litter (IBAL) had "no mandate to destroy
a community" based on a single survey.
Earlier this month, Knocknaheeny, on the north side of Cork
City, along with Dublin’s north inner city were branded litter
blackspots in the final of the IBAL
overall 2011 survey.
Now,
the Knocknaheeny-based community worker plans to write to
Environment Minister Phil Hogan, questioning the methodology
used to compile IBAL’s litter league table. Knocknaheeny was
second from the bottom of 53 Irish towns and cities surveyed
by An Taisce, on behalf of IBAL.
Judges described the residential areas of Knocknaheeny as
being 'in a terrible state', while the area had deteriorated
since the last survey.
Mr Fitzgerald defended his community at a recent city council
meeting.
"This survey has had a devastating effect on Knocknaheeny.
For decades, we have strived to portray a positive image of
this community. We take 10 steps forward and then get knocked
40 steps back."
He said the community was aware of isolated litter problem
areas and was working to address them. An environmental forum
has been set up in the area and is working successfully with
the city council to tackle litter hotspots, he said.
He also questioned the methodology used in the surveys, which
see urban city areas compared with tourist towns such as Killarney.
"I will be writing to the Environment Minister questioning
the methodology and calling on IBAL to consult with a community
before, during and after these surveys," he said.
City manager Tim Lucey said he shared some of Mr Fitzgerald’s
concerns. He described as "regrettable" IBAL’s comments that
there was a need for local authority managers to up their
game to support local communities in the fight against litter.
"I find those comments regrettable. I have found the community
of Knocknaheeny, in particular, always willing to engage with
us," he said. "We have a good relationship with the community
in relation to clean-ups."
However,
Dr Tom Cavanagh, the IBAL chairman, stood over the survey.
"We are not trying to embarrass or do harm," he said. "I
want the people of Knocknaheeny to live in clean environment.
I want Knocknaheeny to be as clean as Douglas or Rochestown
Road - and this is the only way it’s going to get better.
There is no rose without a thorn. They will have to take a
bit of punishment.
"But something is going
to happen now. The city council is rattled by this survey
and they’ll deal with the problem."
He said Tallaght had been in a similar position some years
ago, but had adopted a new approach to tackling litter and
had improved.
He also quoted the results of a Barnardos survey of people
in Knocknaheeny which asked what they disliked about living
in the area - "81% said litter. There were other issues too,
but litter topped the list. IBAL isn’t going away. We’re determined
to get disadvantaged areas as clean as advantaged areas."
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