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1. Wanted CLP terminal site is next to heritage area

2. Historic Peak house unearthed

1. Wanted CLP terminal site is next to heritage area
Chester Yung , The Standard 10 January 2007

The area preferred by CLP Power for its HK$8 billion liquefied natural gas terminal is within meters of a cultural heritage site, a report revealed.

In an Environmental Impact Assessment report submitted to the Environmental Protection Department and released to the public December 27, CLP stated its preference for building a LNG terminal on South Soko - an isolated island, part of which was endorsed as a marine park in 2002 - instead of Black Point, the industrial area adjacent to CLP's power plant

Notably, the report said a portion of South Soko Island is known to be of "archaeological interest."

It said the dredging operation for the installation of a 38-kilometer pipeline from South Soko will be less than 500 meters from the boundary of an existing cultural heritage site.

"The landtake in South Soko for the LNG terminal will directly impact the Tai A Chau Tin Hau Temple, 21 graves and one associated tablet, seven earth shrines and the Tai A Chau archaeological site," said the report, adding that direct impact is unavoidable.

However, environmentalists find the Soko option, presented by CLP, unconvincing.

Conservation group WWF Hong Kong, whose patron is Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, criticized the company for failing to provide a balanced comparison between Black Point and South Soko .

CLP said one of its major reasons for choosing Soko is that the area of reclamation is smaller - only 1.7 hectares compared with 16 in Black Point. This means the project may be completed earlier and the potential hazard from marine transit of LNG is less.

"While both reclamations are relatively small, WWF is dubious as to whether the proposed reclamation area for Black Point needs to be as large as suggested," said Alan Leung Sze-lun, senior conservation officer for WWF Tuesday

"About half of the proposed reclaimed land in Black Point appears unnecessary, or its purpose is unexplained," he added

For example, Leung said, the purpose for the two-hectare laydown area is vague while there seems to have been little attempt to integrate the terminal facilities, such as administrative buildings or other supporting facilities, with the existing power station.

Leung also questioned whether the completion time for building the LNG terminal adjacent to the Black Point gas- fired power station would really be significantly slower than building the terminal on a remote island site with no road access, in addition to a 38-kilometer pipeline connecting the proposed LNG terminal on South Soko to the Black Point power station.

In response, a CLP spokeswoman said the layout for the Black Point option "is optimal and cannot be further reduced."

She said it was not feasible for Black Point station to share the facilities required for a LNG terminal "because the design of the Black Point is for the purpose of a power station, and thus not suitable for a LNG terminal."

WWF Hong Kong chief executive Eric Bohm said one possible explanation why CLP is keen on pressing with the Soko option was its cost.

"The amount of investment in Soko island is undoubtedly higher than the investment in Black Point. Under the scheme of control, the higher the investment, the higher the return for the company and the more the consumers have to pay," he said.

The CLP spokeswoman declined to provide the actual cost differences between the two sites, saying only "it is not substantial"

Currently, CLP is allowed to earn up to 13.5 percent of its investments. A post-2008 scheme of control agreement, still under negotiation, might cut this to between 7 and 11 percent.

2. Historic Peak house unearthed
LAI YING-KIT, SCMP 10 January 2007

Workers renovating an area for tourism on the Peak have discovered a site believed to be the summer residence of former British governors built a century ago, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

The spokesman said part of the building was found recently when the Tourism Commission carried out a renovation project.

He said the discovery might prompt the improvement project undergo a change of scope? Officials are to release further details later on Wednesday.

The news comes at a time when Hong Kong community is increasingly concerned about the conservation of historical buildings.

A recent public outcry over the demolition of the iconic Star Ferry Pier terminal in Central has prompted the government to launch new proposals for heritage protection.

Earlier this week, the government unveiled plans to launch a series of consultations to gauge the public views on the present heritage assessment procedures and policies. It also expanded an advisory board which deals with the conservation of historical buildings and set up a trust fund.