A strategic plan for Passage East and Crooke, the first ever in respect of the picturesque riverside community, will be launched at a public meeting in the village’s Community Hall on Tuesday night next at 8pm.
The unveiling of the plan follows a decision by concerned local people to boost and market their own community. Among the exciting projects planned for the village are fishermen and farmers’ markets, the provision of allotments and historical walking tours. There are also plans to seriously consider the provision of a marina and the harnessing of tidal power.
At its Annual General Meeting in January, the Passage East and Crooke Development Association (PECDA) took a decision to embark on the development of a strategic plan for the community. Ideas that needed exploration, development and action were voiced and a Strategic Plan Task Group was set up. The objective was to develop a three year plan of action that would enhance the quality of life of the people of Passage and Crooke.
A six person group was established and a facilitator employed, Joanne Galvin from Faithlegg, sourced by Waterford LEADER Partnership. The Strategic Plan to be announced next week is the result of the efforts of the group and promises to be ‘a user friendly document’ using a mission statement that urges: ‘Together, Harnessing the Power of the People’.
Clarity
A spokesperson for the Task Group, Damien Teirnan, said the members hoped to bring clarity and simplicity to planning and to monitor all of the tasks, actions and key areas of work documented. “We aim for the Strategic Plan to be thumbed and grubby rather than sitting on a shelf”, said Mr Tiernan.
“It is up to all the people of Passage East and Crooke to make it happen as there really is no limit to what a community can do together. Especially in these very difficult economic times, we believe it’s even more important for an initiative such as this. We hope to use the Plan to apply for funding from various departments and agencies and generally try to enhance the entire east Waterford catchment area”, he said.
Mr Tiernan pointed out that central to the Plan was the setting up of seven working groups covering the areas of community development, sustainable development and social and historical development.
“To make this Plan work, we estimate that we need around 25 people to give just two hours a month”, concluded Mr Tiernan, who is encouraging as many people as possible in the Passage and Crooke area to turn up for the launch. Representatives of fishing, farming, tourist, government and council agencies have also been invited.
