North Quays Public Infrastructure Project is one of the largest State projects in the country

It is almost two years to the day since former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD broke ground on the North Quays Public Infrastructure Project, marking the commencement of one of the largest State infrastructure projects outside of Dublin.

In those two years, the landscape of Waterford has changed dramatically.

The infrastructure works on the North Quays include a public transport hub that incorporates the relocation of Waterford train station to the North Quays and development of a sustainable transport bridge, that will link the North Quays to the city centre, via new walking and cycling infrastructure.

The river foundation works for the sustainable transport bridge are largely complete, and the manufacture of the steel bridge deck is ongoing in Belgium, with the six bridge deck sections due to arrive on site by the end of Q2 2025.

The Infrastructure Works in the vicinity of Dock Road, Fountain Street and Abbey Road will be completed in phases over the coming months and anyone who has been to Ferrybank in the last few months cannot fail to notice the impressive structure of the new train station building which is nearing completion.

A new flood defence and drainage system for the rail corridor has commenced, and this system will protect the existing and new rail infrastructure from the increasing impacts of flooding and climate change, delivering future proofed and climate resilient commuter and freight rail services for Waterford City and Waterford Port.

The foundations have been laid for infrastructure that will further help consolidate Waterford as the economic driver of the Southeast, in particular in our tech, pharma, life sciences and manufacturing sectors that are robust and deep-rooted in Waterford.

In a recent regional local authority-commissioned survey, TechPulse, conducted by RIKON, the findings highlighted that the Southeast region is home to one of the country’s most vibrant tech clusters, with an eclectic mix of established multinationals to new and agile start-ups the region represents a place of opportunity for business and investment.

Waterford’s tech ecosystem offers diverse career development opportunities, from skill diversification and industry adaptability to continuous learning.

The Southeast region supports personal and professional growth, enabling employees to advance within the sector without needing to relocate.

There are approximately 6,000 tech professionals across an estimated 900 businesses.

Manufacturing, engineering and industrial technologies have long been the cornerstone of the regional economy, employing over 31,000 people.

With a pool of multi-disciplinary and highly skilled workforce, Waterford is optimally placed for companies to leverage its distinctive location, connectivity and ease of access, and quality of life.

As home to one of the largest national clusters for life sciences, the sector supports over 10,000 employees and these companies are supported in their research and development by the presence of several Centres of Excellence, such as the Walton Institute, SEAM, PMBRC and ArcLabs, which use their industry knowledge and cutting-edge innovation to support high potential start-ups and cultivate local industry.

SETU also plays a pivotal role in providing a vital pipeline of academic talent to fuel our tech, pharma, life sciences and manufacturing sectors.

Its portfolio of graduate and undergraduate courses, spanning everything from business, computing, engineering, pharmacy & science and veterinary medicine accurately meets the needs of these key industries.

SETU and Waterford City and County Council are also working closely on a number of collaborative projects, including a Smart Data Research Hub and the feasibility of a large-scale district heating project in the city.

Connectivity is key and while we await progress on the Programme for Government commitment to extend the runway at Waterford Airport, the potential for this to further boost tourism, promote business and encourage inward investment is immense.

Waterford has set out an extremely ambitious strategy in its Climate Action Plan 2024 - 2029, with Waterford City designated the Decarbonising Zone (DZ) for Waterford. Acting as a “Transition Super-Lab”, where real life initiatives to manage the transition from a fossil fuel based local economy to carbon Net Zero will be designed and implemented, the DZ projects include building energy efficiency, sustainable transport, renewable energy generation and carbon sequestration.

The establishment in the Southeast Regional Task Force is proving pivotal in maximising the strategic opportunity we have for offshore wind, including supporting the Port of Waterford to ready itself to provide a base for renewable energy activity.

Investment in innovation and industry matched by investment in Waterford’s economic, social and cultural development have copper fastened Waterford as Ireland’s ‘Best Place to Live’.

From housing provision to place-making, and sustainability to tourism, culture and community, our urban and rural centres serve as social, economic and cultural hubs and holistically serve to prompt investors and employers to Think Waterford First.

Under the Town Centre First, Town & Village Renewal, RRDF and URDF initiatives, our county will continue to diversify, grow and create unique experiences that draw more people into our city and towns.

What adds to the attractiveness of Waterford is its liveability. 94% of respondents to the TechPulse survey cited quality of life as good or very good, with education at 81% and the natural environment at 91%.

Regional residential rents are 21% below the national average and Waterford City rents are 22% below the regional city-averages.

Those looking to purchase would see a 10% and 27% comparative drop, respectively.

Waterford has been a trailblazer in the local authority sector for the use of the Repair and Lease, Buy and Renew and Croí Cónaithe schemes to bring over 600 vacant or derelict buildings back into use to date and a further 700 units at various stages of delivery pipeline through these schemes.

Waterford has outstanding natural assets, scenery and attractions from Ireland’s oldest city to the UNESCO copper coast and the Council has maximised the use of the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) investment, to progress the vibrancy and vitality of the city.

As Ireland’s Oldest City, Ireland’s Best Place to Live and Condé Nast Traveller Magazine’s Best Place to Go in the UK and Ireland, Waterford is striking the balance between being a city of historical significance and natural assets with economic potential and innovation to create a compelling setting where businesses can look to the future.