(Translation)
Major Items of Discussion at
the 22nd Meeting of the Kwun Tong District Council (Full Council)
dated 17.5.2007
Meeting with the Director of Lands
Mr. Patrick LAU Lai-chiu, the Director of Lands (D of L), attended the meeting and presented to the meeting a detailed introduction on the work of the Lands Department (Lands D).
2. Councillors enquired of the D of L and expressed their views on various issues such as land grant, unlawful occupation of land, crown land management and temporary lease agreement. Director LAU explained in detail the present position of the above issues and the follow-up work of the Lands D.
Kwun Tong Town Centre Redevelopment
3. Representatives of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) attended the meeting and introduced the latest development of the Town Centre Redevelopment Project and the details of the planning brief.
4. The planning brief was supported generally. Councillors enquired of the URA and expressed their views on aspects such as redevelopment progress, residents’ opinions and concerns, resettlement, compensation and transport arrangements. They also requested the URA to expedite the implementation of the Redevelopment Project.
5. The URA thanked Councillors for their support and views and pledged to take on board the implementation as soon as practicable while striving to remove all obstacles. Besides, the URA would deal with the acquisition and rehousing matters with caution.
6. After voting by a show of hands, the meeting unanimously endorsed the “Kwun Tong Town Centre Redevelopment Planning Brief” submitted by the URA.
Lei Yue Mun Waterfront Enhancement Project
7. Representatives of the Tourism Commission, Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the consultancy firm attended the meeting and made a presentation on the outline design of the Enhancement Project.
8. The Enhancement Project was generally supported and Councillors enquired of the departments and expressed their views concerning work progress, traffic arrangements, soft infrastructure, work impact on residents etc. Upon discussion, the meeting unanimously approved and supported in principal the “Lei Yue Mun Waterfront Enhancement Project”. The departments were requested to minimize the impact of the work on residents during construction period.
Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel Project
9. Representatives of the New Territories East Development Office of the CEDD and the project consultancy attended the meeting and briefed members on the alignment and work progress of the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel Project.
10. Several Councillors suggested that the tunnel be constructed at Cha Kwo Ling and then merged underground with the Eastern Harbour Crossing so that the site at Cha Kwo Ling could be reserved for the development of the Kwun Tong District. Councillors were also concerned about the noise problem at the section from Cha Kwo Ling to Lam Tin whilst some Councillors requested the authorities concerned to address the inadequacy of pedestrian crossing facilities, the extension of Cha Kwo Ling Road as and when necessary, the traffic demand of the Chinese Permanent Cemetery, the proper handling of air emission etc.
Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment for the Development of the South East Kowloon Material Recovery and Transfer Station
11. Representatives of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and Planning Department attended the meeting and made a presentation on the project of the South East Kowloon Material Recovery and Transfer Station. The departments concerned proposed that the Transfer Station be constructed at Cha Kwo Ling while the Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Assessment, which aimed at exploring the feasibility of different sites, were expected to commence in end 2007 and complete in 2009. The departments concerned stated that close ties would be maintained with the Kwun Tong District Council (KTDC) and members of the public during the Feasibility Study and workshops would be held for soliciting views from different parties on this project.
12. Councillors strongly opposed the proposal since it did not match the overall development and future image of Kwun Tong and the coastline along Kwun Tong would be cut off. Other sites were therefore suggested and the departments concerned were requested to put up other options for consideration. Councillors also voiced their discontent over the departments’ disregard of the views submitted earlier by residents, local organizations and KTDC District Councillors.
13. Councillors submitted two motions. The first motion was put up by Mr. LUI Tung-hai and Mr. LAI Shu-ho, Patrick and seconded by Ms. LEUNG Fu-wing, Mr. CHAN Wah-yu, Nelson, Mr. POON Chun-yuen, Ms. FUNG Mei-wan, Mr. MAK Fu-ling, Mr. NG Siu-cheung, Mr. LAU Ting-on, Ms. SO Lai-chun, Mr. OR Chong-shing, Wilson, Mr. CHAN Kam-lam, Mr. FAN Wai-kong, Mr. CHEUNG Shun-wah, Mr. CHAN Kok-wah, Ben, Ms. KO Po-ling, Mr. CHOW Yiu-ming, Mr. SUN Kai-lit, Cliff, Mr. FUNG Kam-chiu, Mr. SO Kwan-hon and Mr. WU Kwok-cheung. The motion read as:
“The Kwun Tong District Council opposes the existing proposal because the proposed South East Kowloon Material Recovery and Transfer Station is situated at Laguna City and the section of Cha Kwo Ling Kaolin and is close to the coastal area of Kwun Tong. The Administration is urged to carry out detailed study and put forward other feasible options.”
The other motion was put up by Mr. CHIN Danny Ching-man and seconded by Mr. TANG Chi-ho, Francis, Mr. LAM Ka-keung, Mr. CHOY Chak-hung, Mr. YIP Hing-kwok, Mr. SO Koon-chung, Kevin, Mr. SO Ka-ho and Mr. FUNG Kam-yuen. The motion read as:
“The EPD’s proposal to construct the South East Kowloon Material Recovery and Transfer Station in the vicinity of Laguna City and Cha Kwo Ling is opposed and it is not appropriate to construct such facilities near residents.”
14. Councillors voted by a show of hands with 32 voted for, 0 voted against and 2 abstained in the first motion while 14 voted for, 0 voted against and 20 abstained in the second motion. The two motions were adopted with a majority of votes.
Footbridge System in Kowloon Bay
15. Representatives of the Transport Department (TD) and the consultancy firm attended the meeting and presented the details of the project.
16. While generally supporting the construction of the Footbridge System, Councillors also enquired of the TD and expressed their views on issues such as ancillary traffic facilities, pedestrian flow, hawker control and management etc.
Preservation of Historic Buildings
17. Representatives of the Home Affairs Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department attended the meeting and introduced the prevailing policies, on-going reviews and the way forward of heritage conservation.
18. Councillors expressed their views on the historic buildings in Kwun Tong and the overall policies in this regard. Councillors were mostly supportive of the Administration’s move to conduct comprehensive review on heritage conservation policies. They also requested the Administration to provide more concrete and public-friendly guidelines and strike a balance between heritage conservation and call for social development. Besides, Councillors proposed that the rating work be conducted at appropriate timing.
19. Attending representatives thanked all Councillors for their support on the Administration’s review on heritage conservation and welcomed Councillors’ views on this issue.
Work Plans for 2007-2008
20. The meeting noted the work plans for 2007-2008 of the Kwun Tong District Core Departments, ICAC Regional Office (Kowloon East/Sai Kung) and KTDC.
Promotional Activities on Occupational Safety and Health 2007
21. The meeting agreed to refer this item to the Social Services Committee for detailed deliberation.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival International Races in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR – Reunification Cup of the 18 District Tournament
22. The meeting agreed to organize a team for joining the tournament.
Kwun Tong District Council Secretariat
May 2007
5