1 Harbor reclamation plan challenged
Scarlett Chiang, The Standard 5 October 2007

The government's plan for a temporary land formation in the middle of Victoria Harbour is being challenged by a harbor protection group.

The site, to be reclaimed from the sea, will be used for about four years to aid in the building of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the government said, after which it will be demolished.

According to the government, the "temporary reclamation" will not cause permanent damage to the harbor and consequently the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance does not apply to the reclamation. But the assurance has failed to placate the Society for the Protection of the Harbour which is now seeking a judicial review over the government's decision.

The society's chairman Winston Chu Ka-sun accused the government of trying to circumvent the law.

"The government says reclamation will last for four years only but who can guarantee what will happen in four years? And who will be responsible to dig out the reclamation four years later?" Chu asked.

He said the society supported the plan to build the Central-Wan Chai Bypass but the government should keep any reclamation to a minimum.

"We have asked the government why so much reclamation is needed but we never get a proper answer," Chu said, adding that the area of the proposed reclaimed land is 1,500 feet by 200 feet (460 meters by 60m), which is even bigger than the breakwater in Causeway Bay.

Under the plan by the Highways Department, reclamation work will take about four years for the whole project, which includes a cut-and-cover tunnel for the bypass.

In response to the harbor protection society's questioning of the legality of the plan, the Highways Department said yesterday "the areas affected by the temporary reclamation are not considered as areas affecting the harbor under the [ordinance] insofar as they are short term and solely for the purpose of achieving the end product."

The department added the extent of the temporary reclamation will be kept to the minimum required to enable the construction of the trunk road tunnel. But Chu pointed out there are other ways to build a highway without having to reclaim land.

"I have consulted an architect and he said there are definitely other ways to construct the bypass. Even the government knows there are other options. It cannot justify its act to reclaim the harbor," Chu added.

The Society for the Protection of the Harbour was successful in its judicial review against the Town Planning Board on the proper interpretation of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance in 2004.

In that review, the Court of Final Appeal ruled an overriding public need must be established to justify reclamation.

2 Tai O residents demand better amenities under facelift plans
Helen Wu, SCMP 5 October 2007

Tai O residents have urged the government to improve the area's transport and community facilities in favour of building tourist attractions under a planned facelift.

They also criticised a proposal for a themed plaza and renovated promenade, which they said would encroach on wetland.

About 20 residents' representatives yesterday petitioned Secretary for Development Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor asking her to extend the consultation period and consider residents' needs in formulating the improvement plan.

Jo Lee Wai-yee, adviser to the Tai O Cultural Workshop, said the suggestions by the government-appointed consultancy did not cater to the needs of Tai O residents, who had been putting up with poor transport, medical and recreational services.

"We ask for a swimming pool, because after the establishment of the sheltered boat anchorage, the people have nowhere to swim," she said.

She also called for medical services in Tai O to be upgraded, with better-equipped clinics so residents did not have to take a ferry to see a doctor.

The government unveiled preliminary suggestions for the HK$620 million facelift for Tai O last month.

New features include building a plaza with the theme of a fishing village, a helipad and folk museum.

A themed fountain, a sculpture and stone engraving retelling the story of Tai O would be housed inside the plaza.

Ms Lee said construction of a plaza would damage wetland in the area as reclamation would be needed to build the promenade and relocate facilities at the site.

She asked the authorities to also focus on the tourism aspect and demanded that the government consider improving transport links between Tai O and the rest of Hong Kong, which could enable a greater number of tourists to visit the area.

The next public consultation forum, is to be held early next year, with the feasibility study expected to be completed in mid-2008.

A Civil Engineering and Development Department spokeswoman said they were open to listening to different opinions about the project.

"We will maintain dialogue with the residents and concern groups, and target reaching a proposal with the backup of public consensus," she said.