Action Group say the area around stream is neglected

The Jobstown Stream Action Group has been meeting on a regular basis for the past few months to clean up areas near the stream, including Cloonmore, Dromcarra, and Bawnlea, reports Maddie Mueller.

The group has had help from the well-connected Dodder Action Group in spreading the word and getting volunteers to come out. Their June cleanup attracted around twenty people, both from the local area and from the Dodder group network.

The group was formed with help from both councillors and local citizens who felt that there hadn’t been enough attention paid to the area.

“The Council neglect re: waste removal in some socio-economic electoral areas has been horrendous, evidenced by countless tonnes of waste dumped in public green areas and streams annually,” said Wladek Gaj of the Dodder Action Group.

Some of the rubbish picked up by volunteers

Gaj reflected the views of many near the Jobstown Stream. Councillor Kieran Mahon (Solidarity) said the area has been “particularly neglected” in the past – something that he and others want to change.

The Jobstown Stream Action Group is campaigning for improvements in access, lighting and seating, environment, and waste management, according to a handout. The Council reports that a project to clean up the area would cost around €680,000.

“Tallaght and South Dublin County Council are home to some of the biggest and richest multinational corporations on the planet such as Pfizer, Amazon and Microsoft. To tell people that there isn’t money to invest in and protect the local environment just doesn’t add up,” said the handout.

Cllr Mahon emphasised how much of the focus around the Jobstown stream area has been on anti-social behaviour and littering coming from a small minority of people and not on ineffective waste management and the pollution from nearby corporations.

He said the group wants the council to match the actions of the community with funding and support, but that there is a long way to go before the council will be able to make any substantial change.

Residents near the stream however don’t have time to waste.

“Why wait on them (the council) when we can do something about it ourselves,” said Jobstown Stream Action Group volunteer Sean Byrne.

Anyone is welcome to join the cleanup effort, which happens every third Sunday of the month. More information can be found on the Dodder Action Facebook page.