Project 2006 is about making Passage West/Monkstown a cleaner, tidier, brighter place to live. It is about community co-operation, where friends and neighbours decide together on priorities for their own immediate area. Project 2006 is about making the most of the huge potential of Passage West and Monkstown.

Passage West Town Council, Passage & Monkstown Area Development Association and Cork County Council have come together to launch this initiative. It is an endeavour that can yield spectacular results but will be successful only if residents, home, business & property owners in the area are prepared to get involved and take part. It is a project where many hands will make light work and where everybody will benefit.

Cork County Council is the responsible local authority for road, environment and sanitary services in the Passage West/Monkstown. Project 2006 is about freeing up County Council resources currently spent on such mundane tasks as litter picking and cleaning footpaths, streets, etc. so that the really important tasks can get done and effective use is made of the manpower available. It is also about what you can do yourself to enhance your local area.

• Take pride in your town and see litter as being as unacceptable outside your home or business as it would be inside.
• Take care of the very small area immediately outside your own home or business to see that it is free of weeds and litter.
• If your boundary wall(s) needs cleaning or painting, make an effort. If you have a hedge, bushes or trees bordering the road or footpath, keep them in check. Present your property as you would if you were offering it for sale and hoping to command the best price.
• If gutters need cleaning or repair, have them attended to. Leaking gutters damage your property too. Owners of tall buildings could consider sharing the hire costs of lifting platforms with their neighbours where ladders would be impractical or unsafe. Street and footpath closure can be arranged at periods of low traffic levels to facilitate this work if necessary.
• Clubs, organisations and residents groups could consider sponsored litter picks as a method of fund raising.
• If you have an elderly or infirm neighbour, friend or relative who is unable to do these small tasks for themselves, you could consider helping them.
• Flower baskets and planters are a cheap and easy method of enhancing any area. Any person or group requiring help and advice for larger projects can contact the Area Development Association.
• There are several private operators in the area that can do grass & hedge cutting at very reasonable cost. JCB and machinery hire can be arranged if required. There are also several reliable painters and tradespeople in the locality. We can give you contacts if you would like to make your own arrangements.
• If you have a relevant skill or service to offer either on a voluntary or professional basis, we are interested in hearing from you.
• If you are in rented property, please consult your landlord before undertaking any major works or projects.

The sponsors of this initiative, Passage West Town Council, The Area Development Association and Cork County Council are committed to working with local individuals and groups as much as working for them. We are also committed to encouraging property owners whose lack of co-operation may be to the detriment of a whole terrace, estate or street. Rather than reducing its commitment to the area, Cork County Council will place a much greater emphasis on working with local individuals and groups who are prepared to take the initiative. It is expected that Project 2006 will actually see an increase in Council funding and activity in the locality with more visible and permanent results.

Project 2006 is for everyone, young or old. It is about the people of Passage West/Monkstown having a “get up and go attitude “ and proving that we are as good and better than anywhere else. It is about this locality entering a new era.