WARRENPOINT Harbour Authority (WHA) is seeking applications from prospective members of its new community forum.
The establishment of such a grouping was one of the key recommendations included in an environmental audit, published in February, into last year’s controversial foul odour from the town’s port.
In a statement, WHA said that the forum ‘will play an important role interacting with local residents and stakeholders to support the contribution that the port makes within the community’.
‘Applications are being sought from local people, with community and professional backgrounds, to participate in the forum and build on WHA’s community contribution across a range of areas, including education, economic contribution, sustainable development, the environment and community support,’ it read.
‘While not a decision-making body, the community forum will review the port’s activities and make recommendations on how it can positively impact the local community.’
Dr Gerard O’Hare, WHA chair, said that he would like to see “residents, businesses, the education sector, elected representatives, port users and staff all represented on the forum”.
“We are fully committed to working more closely with the local community, and we are excited about the opportunities that the new community forum can create in developing long-lasting relationships and supporting the contribution that we make to society.
“This is an exciting opportunity for people to work with us in making a positive contribution to their local community, interacting with and learning from professionals from a range of backgrounds, and gaining valuable skillsets in the process.
“I would encourage anyone who believes they have something to contribute to consider applying”.
The statement highlighted that the application process is open until 31 May, and that ‘anyone interested in joining should apply by emailing onboard@warrenpointport.co.uk, giving their name and address and setting out their relevant experience working in the community in a short cover letter’.
‘Applications are particularly encouraged from women and young people within the local community,’ it added.
‘Forum membership is voluntary and unpaid and is limited in numbers with criteria in place (at warrenpointport.com/category/community/) to determine community appointments, including proximity to the port and background volunteering in the local community.’
Last August, WHA issued an apology for the odour, which it said was being caused by household rubbish being recycled by its tenant Re-Gen Waste.
The following month, it confirmed that it was ‘appointing an environmental specialist to carry out an independent, robust, and scientific-based investigation’ into the smell.
The Practical Waste Solutions Ltd audit report highlighted that preliminary findings indicated ‘instances of out-of-date (refuse derived fuel) bales, compromised bales, bales stored outside the licensed area, with associated odour and fly activity’.
However, it added that there had been a ‘multifaceted improvement strategy implemented by Re-Gen’, and that there had been a ‘significant reduction in the number of bales stored and an improvement in the condition of the bales, due to a much reduced “dwell time”’.
The report stated that there had been ‘progressive improvements recorded in recent months, with a reduction in reported odours and fly activity’.
The document also said that there was a ‘perceived lack of engagement with residents and local businesses by the two main stakeholders (WHA and Re-Gen)’ and recommended better stakeholder engagement through the establishment of a community forum.
