How your Local Property Tax was spent in Nenagh district

The proceeds of local property tax provide tangible benefits to communities across the Nenagh Municipal District – from Toor to Terryglass, from Cloughjordan to Ballina and lots of places in between.

So how is your money spent? And how does it make a difference?

In 2020 an ability swing was provided in Ballina in the Riverside Park. This was a small addition to the facilities but it was a big addition for Julie Collins. Her mother, Nicola Welford said ‘the swing has been an absolute joy for Julie since it was first installed in December. We use it at least two or three times a week and it has now given her a reason to return to her local playground’. The family also met with a young man from Scarriff and his carer and showed them how to use it. He is twenty-six and it was his first time on an ability swing. They also engaged with other families.

2020 was a year where a lot of sadness and difficulty was experienced. Anything which represented hope and light was welcome – and what better time for this than Christmas! In order to bring light into people’s lives and to support the business community at a time when they had a small window of opportunity to make up for trade lost during lockdowns, the councillors agreed to invest in new Christmas lights for the town of Nenagh. All agreed that these really made a difference

Comments from Facebook and blogs about Christmas 2020 in Nenagh included:

“Beautiful showcase of Nenagh at Christmas”

“Nenagh looks fabulous”

“Just wonderful”

“ This has certainly worked as the town is bussing, albeit with masked shoppers!”

Other projects which benefited from the allocation of the proceeds of the increase in property tax in 2020 included:

• Upgrade of Skehana Playground

• Recognition of achievements of Terryglass Improvements Association

• Drainage & Footpath Upgrade at Arravale, Newtown

• Provision of Controlled Crossing on Main St., Ballina

• Bus Set Down Area at Cloughjordan No. 2 N.S.

In 2020 a Painting & Enhancement Scheme was rolled out in Ballina, Borrisokane, Newport, Cloughjordan and Nenagh. This saw 117 premises across the District who brightened their premises – new signage, fresh paint, hanging baskets & window boxes all helped enhance the streetscape of our towns. Further premises will benefit under the 2021 scheme. And a big thank you to all the property owners who participated in the scheme. In addition to improving the attractiveness of the individual properties this scheme also provided employment to painters & decorators across Nenagh MD and there was a spin-off in terms of business for local hardware shops. It also provided encouragement & support to business owners at a time when they were facing challenges. In June 2021 one business even went on the Nenagh Guardian to express their appreciation for the Painting & Enhancement Scheme which transformed the outside appearance of their building. And hopefully the Tidy Towns Committees will also reap the rewards with additional marks this year!

These funds also supported two promotional opportunities for Nenagh & District – the launch of Nenagh 800 and the Nenagh Live initiative in December 2020 and February/March 2021. While many of the events planned for 2020 could not go ahead due to the coronavirus, nevertheless Nenagh still marked the 800 years of its development.

The ‘Nenagh Live’ initiative took place in two strands – Christmas 2020 and St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2021. This was an on-line platform used to promote Nenagh as a location to shop, visit and be entertained. Its principal aim was to provide support to the business community of Nenagh. It brought together the various sectors and communities that make Nenagh what it is and provided entertainment, information and nostalgic recollection while showcasing businesses and performers. ‘Nenagh Live’ reached out to an audience at home and abroad. The Christmas initiative reached in excess of 572,000 people with over 229,000 video views. The St. Patrick’s Day Festival reached 304,144 people with 73,000 video views, 7,417 likes, 4,721 shares and 3,985 comments.

During the current year, the programme of works will continue. Specific projects funded through the GMA/LPT for 2021 will include:

• Upgrade of public toilets in Newport – this will complement other projects being carried out including the near by Newport Town Park which will be completed in the current year

• Improvement works on the road linking Burgess Graveyard and Burgessbeg and onwards to the Coum area

• Installation of non-contact water dispenser & bicycle repair station Birdhill

• Improvement works to alleviate flooding on the L10371 – road to Kilruane Church & Graveyard

• Footpath improvement works at Grange Road, Ballina

• Drainage works, footpath and surface restoration at Derg Manor Estate, Dromineer

Financial assistance was also provided to the following centres to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 during 2021

• Nenagh Leisure centre

• Nenagh Arts centre - 50% top up on subvention