The County Borough of Waterford (Extension of Boundary) Provisional Order, 1966, provides for a change in the Waterford city boundary by taking into the city an adjoining area lying on the present western boundary, and comprising a number of complete townlands and parts of others totalling, in all, some 520 acres of which, I may say, Waterford Corporation already own about 43 per cent. Under the terms of the Waterford City Management Act, 1939, the Provisional Order already made requires, in order to be effective, the confirmation of the Oireachtas. The Bill at present before the House is to secure such confirmation. The objective is to make the extension effective as from the 1st April, 1966.
As we know, Waterford is an ancient city which dates back to the 9th century, a city which has down the centuries occupied an important position in our history. In 1840 Water-ford's area was only 650 acres. An extension in 1896 increased the area to 1,438 acres; at that stage the population of the city was of the order of 20,000. In the post-war period, Waterford Corporation has erected 1,548 houses, and in order to cater for this building programme and its necessary social and economic concomitants further extensions became necessary in 1944 and 1955 which brought the city acreage up to 2,096. By the early 1960s, the position had again been reached where this community required more space to expand and develop. The area within the city boundary had become closely built-up, and if the local authority's housing programme were to continue, it was necessary that additional land be acquired. Moreover, the building programme in the private sector had to be provided for and provision made also for the needs of industrial enterprise.
This background brings into perspective the steady economic and social progress which has been taking place in Waterford. It may be expected that this growth will be accelerated by the recent decision of the Government designating Waterford a development centre. It is accordingly vital to ensure that this expansion is not hampered by lack of space. Not alone must provision be made for housing and industrial expansion for approximately the next 20 years or so but the need for schools, churches and many other essentials of a large and expanding urban community must be catered for. Provision must be made to rehouse people from insanitary houses and overcrowded conditions in central city areas while at the same time providing for new housing needs arising from population and employment growth. In this connection I might mention that the estimated population for the city for 1966 is 28,700 approximately.
As Waterford city grows in size and prosperity, it should provide employment and a market for a growing hinterland and not alone bring economic and social advantage to its own citizens but also radiate prosperity over a wide economic catchment area. The proposed extension has been agreed in detail between Waterford County Council and Corporation and there were no objections to the extension at the public local inquiry held into the matter on 1st December, 1965. The compensation to be paid by the corporation to the county council in respect of the added burden on the county rates to which the extension will give rise is agreed at the sum of £19,000. This settlement has been ratified by the two authorities.
In order to reduce the impact of the full city rate on ratepayers in the proposed added area a graduated scale of rate payment has been devised so as to bring the new city ratepayers on to the full city rate by stages spread over a period of six years. Article 13 of the Provisional Order and the Second Schedule thereto give effect to these provisions.
Following the extension, agricultural land in the added area will cease to attract the agricultural grant. A sum corresponding to the reduction of grant to the county will, however, be paid to the corporation and in turn the proportion of the valuation of the land in the added area to be assessed will be seven-tenths, as is the case of all agricultural land taken into the city. In addition, the sliding scale of rates I have referred to will operate in these cases.
Finally the Provisional Order contains the usual standard provisions which are normal in such cases and are designed to give smooth effect to the extension and to introduce legal savers where necessary.
This extension is desirable and necessary; it has been agreed to by the county council and I think that it should recommend itself to this House, too.
