Double award success for Lough Neagh Partnership

Now in their eighth year, the Waterways Renaissance Awards recognises best practice in sustainable waterway regeneration and development throughout the UK.

The awards ceremony took place at the Lowry Art & Entertainment Centre in Manchester on 17th March 2010.

The nominations were judged by an independent assessment panel, comprising waterway, conservation and regeneration experts and chaired by Sir Peter Soulsby MP. The Waterways Renaissance Awards panel granted a special ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award to Lough Neagh Partnership for the transformation of the Lough over the last 7 years.

The Lough Neagh Partnership also won the Area Based Regeneration category acknowledging the impact that the body has had on the regeneration of the region as a whole. They also received a commendation for working in partnership with other stakeholders.

The judging panel commented on the achievement of Lough Neagh Partnership “The scale and impact of the multidimensional programme is very impressive. It demonstrates the effectiveness and sustainability of a community inspired bottom-up approach to regeneration.

The Partnership did not dictate what needed to be done, but worked with local community groups to discover what they needed and then offered support to help with delivery, or if needed, deliver it themselves. This flexible approach has helped develop trust and engage partners.”

Gerry Darby, Manager of Lough Neagh Partnership paid tribute to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the councils around the Lough for their substantial investment and strategic interest in Lough Neagh.

In particular, Gerry highlighted the importance that the Rural Development Programme played in regenerating the Lough and the strategic significance DARD gave to regenerating important landscapes like Lough Neagh on a whole integrated basis.

Situated in the centre of Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh is the largest body of water in the UK, measuring over 300 sq km and containing over 800 billion gallons of water. Historically under-utilised, the lough lacked a navigation authority and received little statutory body investment. In 2003 the Lough Neagh Partnership was formed. Comprising seven local authorities, representatives from statutory bodies including DCAL and NIEA, the local community and business representatives, the Partnership developed and implemented a regeneration strategy for the whole of the lough.

Over the past seven years it has identified and worked with strategic and local stakeholders to understand the needs of the lough and those of the communities living around its shores.

By creating strong relationships with a range of private and public organisations, the Partnership has managed a 3.8m regeneration programme, developing over 140 projects and attracting a further 6.4m of leverage funds which has resulted in substantial change through the provision of major new recreational infrastructure, increased protection for the waterway, a major marketing and branding programme, and a significant increase in visitors to Lough Neagh.

The major changes and projects which have occurred around the Lough include the provision of 150 new boating berths, a Lough Neagh cycle trail and canoe trail, the creation of 5 new nature reserves, the provision of 3 new passenger boats and 2 Lough Neagh Rescue Boats, 4 new visitor and interpretation centres together with the regeneration of Ram’s Island.

The new facilities have also been promoted through a comprehensive marketing campaign, including the first major TV advertisement campaign promoting the Lough as a tourism destination.

Gerry Darby, Manager of the Lough Neagh Partnership was delighted with the awards success saying “These prestigious awards are recognition of the hard work, commitment and dedication of the Lough Neagh Partnership staff and board of directors.

“Lough Neagh has for long been the forgotten lake of the UK and Ireland, winning this award demonstrates the true potential of this wonderful resource and will act as a platform for the future development of Lough Neagh as a visitor destination.”