Housing infrastructure funding for Waterford welcomed
Minister Mary Butler pictured with Minister for Housing, James Browne TD
Government Chief Whip and Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, has welcomed the announcement of housing infrastructure investment funding for Waterford.
The announcement was made by her Government and party colleague, Minister for Housing, James Browne TD.
The Government’s new housing plan, 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030', announced a new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF), which is aimed at supporting direct investment in infrastructure needed to unlock the development of housing sites in towns and cities nationwide.
“The significant funding announced today [Tuesday] under the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF) will unlock lands to directly facilitate approximately 3,000 homes, with the potential for up to 11,917 overall, over three key sites throughout Waterford at the North Quays, Dungarvan and Gracedieu," said Minister Butler.
“This is a hugely ambitious investment of up to €50 million in infrastructure provision which will facilitate major housing projects, subject to tender, through the provision of utilities which are essential to site development, such as new roads, roundabouts, wastewater treatment and electricity services," she said.
Minister Butler said she was particulary pleased to see that the North Quays will benefit further from significant public investment.
"This is a flagship urban regeneration project representing one of the largest ever investments in Waterford and the South East region," she said.
She referenced €207 million of approved public funding, including €100m from the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund and €84m from the National Transport Authority, investment in the project.
“Under today’s HIIF announcement, a substantial capital allocation is set to facilitate upgrades to water and power services to directly unlock lands for 1,510 residential units and indirectly paving the way for a further 1,938 residential units, potentially," she said.
Waterford North Quays shared access and Active Travel route is part of the Waterford North Quays regeneration project.
It received public investment through the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project (URDF, NTA and WCCC), delivering flood defences, a sustainable transport bridge, a multi-modal transport hub and associated public realm.
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Minister Butler said the area will further benefit from UÉ upgrade and investment projects in the Waterford City area including the Adamstown WTP and the planned Waterford City Water Network upgrade.
The quays area will also benefit from the new 38KV ESB substation on the North Quays and refurbishment of the 38KV network in conjunction with the Powering Up Offshore South Coast EirGrid Project (PUOSCEP).
The Dungarvan Town and Environs Stormwater and Accelerated Housing Infrastructure plan includes 1km of 1,500mm and 1,200mm diameter stormwater infrastructure on defined catchment zoned lands in Dungarvan.
The indicative cost band is in the region of €10m to €20m and Minister Butler said Dungarvan will benefit from the planned Ballinamuck WTP (to be completed in 2029) and planned wastewater network upgrade.
She said the area also benefits from TII investment in the national road projects such as the N24 Waterford to Cahir and N25 Waterford to Glenmore strategic road projects while ESBN is investing in interim measures to increase grid capacity and longer-term power station upgrades.
She said it directly unlocks lands for 1,104 residential units and indirectly unlocks a further 3,000+ residential units.
Regarding the Gracedieu Residential Distributor Road - c. 200m length and new roundabout to replace a T junction - the indicative cost is in the €10m band.
Ms Butler said the area will benefit from UÉ upgrade and investment projects in the Waterford City area including the Adamstown WWTP and the planned Waterford City Water Network upgrade.
The new 38KV ESB substation on the North Quays and asset replacement at Tycor Substation will increase grid capacity in the area.
She said the city will also benefit from Eirgrid's PUOSCEP project and that it will directly unlocks lands for 365 residential units and indirectly unlock a further 4,000 residential [units].
“I want to compliment my Government colleague, Housing Minister, James Browne for his continuous engagement on housing delivery in Waterford, to which state-of-the-art infrastructure is essential," she said.
"Under the plans he’s announced today, up to €50 million could be provided for crucial site activation and land servicing measures to potentially facilitate the construction of almost 12,000 of new homes in the communities of Gracedieu, Dungarvan and Waterford City," she added.
