Work to prevent further coastal erosion and protect wildlife habitats in Dungarvan should get under way this year, Waterford County Council said yesterday.
Approval for the €1.27 million (£1 million) project, designed to prevent flooding of the main Cork-Waterford road and the residential Western Bay area, has been sought from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.
A member of the council, however, claims urgent action is needed to prevent a significant feature of Dungarvan Harbour from disappearing.
Mr Fiachra Ó Céilleachair (Labour) says the eroding nature of the Cunnigar sand dunes, which stretch across the middle of the harbour, has been a serious concern for some time. Now the narrow strip at the Ring side of the land spit "is in imminent danger of being washed away" by the tides.
Mr Ó Céilleachair wants the council to set up a task force "to secure the support and investment necessary to save the Cunnigar". Apart from the threat of flooding, the area's wildlife reserves will be endangered if the erosion continues at its present rate, he says.
"Although some monies have been forthcoming from the Department of the Marine to guard against the worst excesses of coastal erosion . . . I think it is fair to say for anyone familiar with the Cunnigar that things have reached a most critical stage now."
A council spokeswoman said a study had identified three locations in which coastal defence work was needed - two at the Cunnigar and one at Western Bay.
Documentation seeking approv- al for the work was lodged with the Department a year ago, and it was expected that the major part of the work, costing €1 million (£787,564), would be carried out this year.
The purpose of the work, involving the protection of 530 metres of coastline, would be to prevent flooding and protect bird habitats of international importance, she said.
