Chambers make plea for backing for 25,000 jobs plan

Cork Chamber wants Government help to make a plan to provide 25,000 jobs and 6,000 new homes in the docklands area a reality, according to The Evening Echo.

The 1,000 member organisation wants Government support to set up a new organisation in conjunction with the City Council to oversee the delivery of the plan, the most ambitious in the history of the city.

The new organisation should be representative off all the stakeholders in the docklands area, including landowners such as the Port of Cork Company and construction and development firms, according to Chamber President Joe Gantly.

The Chamber boss, former chief executive of Apple’s European headquarters and a board member of UCC, said the establishment of the Implementation Body was the best way of ensuring the success of the project.

The body would have to be strongly resourced and have the full co-operation and commitment of central government and the City Council.

The body was needed because of the scale of the scheme, Mr Gantly said.

Tax relief and public funding needed to be provided to ensure the blueprint became a reality, the Chamber boss said in his submission to City Council.

The Chamber’s suggestions come as the council gets ready to firm up its proposals for the docklands area.

The council plan envisages the provision of:

Offices, university, retail, cultural and leisure facilities.

6,000 new homes, including higher density apartments, student accommodation and family units concentrated on Horgan’s Quay and along Monahan Road.

New parks, public spaces and pedestrian routes, a new marina, moorings and recreation areas distributed across the whole docklands area.

A new public transport system, including a new rail station concourse and bus station.