DfI Minister hears about Newcastle flooding fears

DfI Minister hears about Newcastle flooding fears

19 February 2025

NEW Stormont infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins has met with members of a community group set up in Newcastle in the wake of several major flooding incidents.

She was joined at the meeting with the Community Resiliency Group by South Down MP Chris Hazzard and Cathy Mason MLA.

Mr Hazzard described the meeting with residents as a “constructive and important step in building community confidence” in the wake of recent flooding incidents in the resort.

But he said Department for Infrastructure Rivers, NI Water and Newry, Mourne and Down Council must now bring forward “resolute proposals” that will address residents’ concerns that they remain susceptible to flooding in parts of the town, including Marguerite, Elmgrove and Mourne View. 

Thanking the DfI minister for meeting with residents, Mr Hazzard said she engaged constructively with members of the Newcastle Flooding Resiliency Group, hearing calls for greater collaboration between community responders and government agencies. 

“We also took the opportunity with the minister to discuss the need for resolute proposals and real investment that will help address several shortcomings identified in the recently published flood review,” said Mr Hazzard.

“These include a robust cleansing and maintenance schedule in the flood hazard zone including the Burren, Tullybrannigan and Shimna rivers and also a long term permanent solution to the failings of the NI Water pumping station in Marguerite and adjoining drainage network.”

Mrs Mason said Newcastle residents should not live in fear every time there is heavy rain.

“We need a multi-agency approach to flood mitigation, improved communications with the community and investment in permanent solutions to ensure we aren’t faced with this again,” she added.

Mournes councillor, Willie Clarke, said that during recent flooding incidents, the community rallied together in an effort to help vulnerable neighbours and protect homes.

“Thankfully, these endeavours have been worthwhile, but there needs to be more proactive engagement between the various agencies and the local community in the days and hours before an incident,” he suggested.

“With this in mind I welcome Minister Kimmins’ commitment to strengthen community collaboration, and look forward to seeing the outworking of this in the time ahead.”