Thurles District is to commission a pollinator-friendly grass-cutting plan

The Municipal District is to devise a pollinator-friendly grass-cutting plan for Thurles.

In response to an article published in the Tipperary Star on August 8 titled Residents of Collins Park have their say on council grass-cutting policy, a spokesperson for the Thurles-Templemore Municipal District reached out to clarify the council’s position. 

The district has tendered the advice of a specialist and intends to put a pollinator-friendly grass-cutting plan in place.

“The primary focus of Thurles Municipal District’s grass-cutting policy is to manage the public spaces in a planned sustainable and environmentally friendly manner while also accommodating the needs and wishes of the general public as much as reasonably possible,” said the spokesperson.

OBJECTIVES

In 2019, Tipperary County Council signed up as a partner to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. 

This means that the council must build its maintenance policies with pollinator-friendly actions. 

The spokesperson explained that the council has committed to cutting grass only on a six-week basis from no earlier than April 15. 

This allows dandelions and other wildflowers to grow, providing nutrients for pollinators, while keeping grass, at a manageable level. 

The second action is identifying areas that can be left uncut until late August and early September; this is how they manage meadow areas.

The spokesperson said these policies may change following “representations and discussions with the public.”

“As mentioned, our primary focus is to deliver a plan that meets a number of objectives, which include the needs and wishes of the general public along with biodiversity concerns,” said the spokesperson.

ONGOING CONCERNS

When the Tipperarylive spoke to residents in Collins Park in early August, they said that grass-cutting was one of many issues they had with Tipperary County Council. 

Tipperarylive asked the council spokesperson to clarify their position on a number of other resident concerns, including communication, litter, parking and future works in the estate.

Regarding the shrubs obstructing walkers, the spokesperson felt this was an “overstatement” and that there is enough room to walk on the path.

However, as it is causing concern, the council have consulted a contractor to remove them and replant the area. 

This will cost more than €6,000 and they said they must be mindful of how they use public money.

The spokesperson said they thought it would be of benefit to the residents to set up a residents association or committee who would be apply for grants in conjunction with the council.

Regarding the litter issues, the spokesperson said they can ask the outdoor crew to do a litter pick.

But suggested a residents association might be better positioned to take on that work as resources in the council are “limited.”

“Litter picks are currently focused on the main streets of Thurles. If crews are diverted to housing estates, that will mean fewer litter picks in high-traffic areas,” said the spokesperson.

The parking issue is a matter for the gardaí and the GAA. 

Adding in more yellow lines would obstruct parking for the residents and the spokesperson suggested the gardaí could put out cones instead on match days. 

This is something that the residents would have to organise. 

Residents with concerns but do not use technology can contact the council on 0818 06 5000.