Heritage & Biodiversity Plan. Outcome of online public consultation January 2015

Transcription

1 Heritage & Biodiversity Plan Outcome of online public consultation January 2015

2 Background In line with Government policy, Waterways Ireland is developing a Heritage and Biodiversity Plan for the organisation to ensure the protection of the rich heritage (inc. biodiversity) along the waterways under its care. It will draw on guidance set out in the: National Heritage Plan (RoI) Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy National Biodiversity Plan (RoI) In addition it will be informed by: Relevant International Conventions European Directives NI and RoI legislation Recognised best practice Key to the development of these Plans is proactive and meaningful engagement with our key stakeholders.

3 Key milestones in the development of the Plans 12 week pre plan consultation Publish results of consultation Phase II Invite stakeholders to participate in working groups Hold working group sessions Develop draft set of Strategic Aims and Actions Phase IV Issue agreed Draft Plans for public consultation Amend Plans, where appropriate, to reflect feedback from public consultation Publish Plans Phase I Phase III Final Plans 3

4 Public Consultation Process This survey was designed to obtain the views of the public on the issues/projects that should be addressed through a Waterways Ireland Heritage & Biodiversity Plans. The consultation period lasted for 12 weeks from Friday 17 th October 2014 to Monday 12 th January The questionnaire was made available at Waterways Ireland's headquarter offices in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh as well as the following regional offices: Scarriff (Co. Clare), Carrick on Shannon (Co. Leitrim) and Dublin. Letters and s were issued to a wide range of equality groups, heritage networks and stakeholder groups inviting them to take part in the consultation process. Consultees were invited to make submissions either on-line, by or in writing. July 22,

5 Summary of Respondent Details Type of Consultee / User Group Online submissions Written / ed submissions TOTAL Councils Government Bodies Heritage Group Biodiversity Group Other Stakeholders / Community Multiple users Not stated TOTAL July 22,

6 Summary of Responses - Introduction The survey was designed using a combination of questions types. This allowed for the data collected to be analysed in different forms (see sample graph for Q1). The following slides provide a breakdown of the responses received. Where respondents were allowed to type in their response this has been analysed by reviewing the individual replies in detail and assessing the response using software based "text analysis". For the purpose of this synopsis report the text analysis is represented in a cloud format (see sample for Q2). This shows the most important words and phrases the respondents used. The larger the font size, the more important or significant the word. For the purposes of this report the names of individual respondents will not be provided. 6

7 Which of the following waterways are you most interested in?

8 What is your vision for the heritage of the waterways as a whole?

9 Are you involved in a Heritage or Biodiversity Group that has an interest in the waterways?

10 Are you involved in any heritage or biodiversity projects along the waterways?

11 Do you own or have responsibility for a heritage building, site or archive along the waterways?

12 If Yes please tick which type below

13 The proposed themes of the Plan are listed below. Please rank them according to importance.

14 Awareness Raising Community Engagement Promoting conservation best practice Research and Survey Work Biodiversity Restoration Projects Heritage Restoration Project Heritage & Biodiversity as drivers for sustainable tourism development Using new technologies to communicate the value of the waterways Other Which type of project or projects would you most like to see included in the Heritage Plan? 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 64.7% 69.6% 73.5% 59.8% 63.7% 50.0% 40.0% 38.2% 40.2% 33.3% 30.0% 20.0% 14.7% 10.0% 0.0%

15 What do you believe to be the most important issue(s) regarding heritage along the waterways?

16 What are the main means by which you experience the heritage and biodiversity of the waterways?

17 Are you (or the organisation that you represent) willing to assist in the implementation of the Heritage & Biodiversity Plan?

18 If yes, what type of action or project do you think you could contribute to?

19 Are there any other issues you would like to raise?

20 Antrim Armagh Carlow Clare Cork Derry Donegal Down Dublin Fermanagh Fingal Galway Kildare Kilkenny Laois Longford Meath Multiple Offaly Roscommon Tipperary Tyrone Unknown Westmeath Wexford Wicklow Which county are you from? July 22,

21 Next Phase of the Process We are currently inviting members onto Working Groups to assist in developing the Plans to a draft stage. These Plans will then be subject to public consultation. Updates on the Plan Process will be posted on the