SKYLINE Technologies -- News Update (13 October 2005 )

13 October 2005

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1. Pilot hopes Kai Tak plan will go ahead

2. Pet park proposal for West Kowloon

1. Pilot hopes Kai Tak plan will go ahead
Doug Crets, The Standard 13 October 2005

Government plans to build a HK$2 billion sports complex to train Olympic- level and amateur athletes have given recreational pilots renewed hope for their Kai Tak runway campaign, said Francis Chin, a pilot leading a campaign to preserve the airport for future flyers.

The proposed sports city, set to occupy 24 hectares of the 133-hectare Kai Tak redevelopment site, will contain a 45,000-seat stadium, a 5,000-seat sports ground and an indoor sports complex. But the plan will not affect the runway proposal, Chin said.

"That's what the Kai Tak campaign is working for. If [aviators] put in their claim, consideration will be given to them in the allocation of land," said Chin, who leads the "Save Kai Tak" campaign.

But he stressed that time is running out for supporters to put in their bid.

"If they are going to do a major stadium, then there will be considerable land saved for high-rise buildings," Chin said, adding that aviators need to put forward a proposal as soon as possible to make sure a runway is considered.

Several months ago, Chin said he received positive signs from the Economic Development and Labour Bureau and the Planning Department that the idea to install a training center and a "small" civil code runway at Kai Tak "was interesting," and would be considered.

In the plan, Chin and his supporters want a short kilometer-long runway installed away from tower apartments and entertainment venues proposed for the strip. Ideally, it will be constructed at the far end of the existing runway, where it juts out into Kowloon Bay.

Chin said that the city's planners, wary of the public's reaction to the West Kowloon Cultural District project, had been moving slowly with the East Kowloon developments to avoid causing too much distress over building plans - making now a good time for putting forward new proposals.

Chin, recently re-elected as office bearer of the Hong Kong Aviation Club, said the position will help him convince pilots around the city to contribute to the fight to save a piece of the runway, adding that he had been successful in preserving the old control tower. "I'm actually lobbying, trying to propose a plan," he said.

Feeling optimistic, Chin said a recreational aviation runway at Kai Tak could help inspire future generations of local flyers. Hong Kong recreational and commercial pilots now have to travel as far away as Australia for training. He said supporters of the idea could reduce the size of their proposal to satisfy developers and planners.

"If 3,400 feet [1,020 meters] is too long, then 2,500 feet [762m] would be okay," he said.

2. Pet park proposal for West Kowloon
PATSY MOY, SCMP 13 October 2005

An animal welfare agency wants a pet park to be established near the proposed West Kowloon cultural hub, and says it will urge the government to make more parks accessible to pets.

The Society for Abandoned Animals chief executive officer Chan Suk-kuen said yesterday the West Kowloon reclamation area would make a perfect site as it was easily accessible but away from residential areas, which would prevent complaints from residents.

Ms Chan said the society would make its appeal to the government through the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

"Facilities for pets are not up to date in Hong Kong. We hope that the government can make some facilities for pets here," she said.

"As the birth rate of children keeps declining, we see more people keeping pets. The number of dogs is probably greater than the population of toddlers. But the government has failed to facilitate the needs of pets and their owners."

There are an estimated 150,000 cats and 120,000 dogs kept as pets in Hong Kong.

The society will stage a signature campaign next month to appeal to the government to open more parks for pets.

Ms Chan complained that there were only six public parks at present.

"We are asking the government to designate a small area in parks for animals, instead of opening the whole area to them, as we understand that some people may not like animals," Ms Chan said.

"Most families here live in small flats and there are not enough facilities for their pets, which gives many pet owners a serious headache when they try to take their pets out for activities. It is dangerous to take animals outside due to the heavy traffic. We have seen many dogs hit by cars. So pets are usually kept in small flats all day."

The Home Affairs Bureau said last night it had not received the society's proposal but would welcome any public ideas about developing West Kowloon.

The animal welfare organisation is keeping about 180 dogs and 70 cats that have been abandoned, as well as dozens of other animals including rabbits, two chickens, two pigs and five goats.

"There were originally two goats instead of five," Ms Chan said.

"The two goats were smuggled from the mainland into Hong Kong by some construction workers who tried to cook them. But some people informed police after they saw them at a construction site in Tuen Mun. The pair later gave birth to three babies and the family has been staying with us for 2-1/2 years."

The Society for Abandoned Animals, the DAB and GP Net Association, a social welfare group, are organising a carnival "Hello Pet Win Win Day" at Mongkok's Macpherson Playground on October 30 for pet owners and their animals.