City biodiversity officer to be appointed

City Hall is to advertise the role of a biodiversity officer soon, it was confirmed recently.

This came to light during a Cork City Council meeting on Monday when David Joyce, Director of Services Roads and Environment Operations Directorate said that the appointment of a biodiversity officer is actively being progressed at present and will be advertised towards the end of Q3 2022.

He said the biodiversity officer will play a “pivotal role in the ongoing review and implementation of the City Heritage and Biodiversity Action Plan (2022 – 2026)”. His comments came following a query from Green Party Cllr Oliver Moran about its hiring status while also asking what roles this officer would have.

He was told by Mr Joyce that the role involves activation of local communities and raising awareness of biodiversity in Cork City and requires an ability to engage with the public work as part of a team within Cork City Council.

Mr Joyce told Cllr Moran that the officer will promote, manage and co-ordinate biodiversity and biodiversity related activities in the city, they will facilitate and manage the preparation and implementation of a city biodiversity plan and they will ssist council departments in integrating biodiversity into their actions and policies.

The officer will also provide advice to resident and community groups on biodiversity matters, will assess planning applications which might have a particular impact on biodiversity and will liaise with stakeholders, non-governmental organisations, official bodies, and the public on biodiversity matters.

The officer will “raise awareness of biodiversity and issues affecting biodiversity in the city with a broad range of voluntary groups, schools, colleges, sports clubs, and business establishments,” said Mr Joyce.

Meanwhile it was also confirmed to Cllr Moran at the same meeting that City Hall is also looking to appoint an ecology officer.