Kilcullen 'could lead' in dealing with climate and nature crises
Kilcullen has the potential to be a leading example of how towns its size deal with the challenge of the global Climate and Nature crises, writes Brian Byrne.
That's one of the conclusions in the recently published Kilcullen Design Statement commissioned by Kilcullen Community Action.
The suggestion comes in the Future element in the four main objectives addressed in the report prepared by The Paul Hogarth Company — the others being Place, Linkages and People.
Reducing the community's carbon footprint, increasing biodiversity, making sure our spaces are clean and healthy, and attracting sustainable investment are the main design principles dealt with in this chapter.
Kilcullen is already well on the road to addressing these and other issues, the consultants say, and is well placed to go 'further and faster' in the transition to a more sustainable way of life.
Already in place is the Kilcullen Sustainable Energy Community status, and promotion and delivery of proposals in the Energy Action Plan around energy conservation and use of renewables need to be pushed.
KCA's Biodiversity Action Plan has been well in train over several years and should be continued and expanded, especially in terms of habitat restoration.
The report calls for increased litter picking and more litter awareness initiatives, and also continued work on The Valley and with the Camphill community to provide 'spaces for well-being'.
Although there is as yet no direct programme aimed at bringing in new business investment, particularly with a sustainable focus, the report indicates that continuing work on the various key objectives will help to attract such investment.
A potential tourism offer will require support and growth initiatives for the hospitality sector, especially involving vacant buildings and lands.
The full Kilcullen Design Statement can be downloaded from here.
The Diary will be posting further stories based on the report.
Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy
