The current government strongly promotes the "Lantau Tomorrow" project. The first phase will study the construction of an artificial island of approximately 1,000 hectares in Kau Yi Chau. The Civil Engineering and Development Department and others pointed out at the Environmental Advisory Committee meeting today that the entire project will be divided into three parts. Submission of environmental impact assessment reports, including reclamation projects, artificial island development, and transportation infrastructure connecting the artificial islands. It is expected to submit the environmental assessment report this month.
Huang Yuanhui, chairman of the Environmental Advisory Council, bluntly stated that “I have not done ecological research and have decided to fill the sea, or how good the filling is, the technical level is wrong”; and suggested that the authorities collect scientific data before deciding the scale of the artificial island. The way to make a decision, if a negative impact on the environment is found, the scale of development should be reduced.
The authorities responded that an ecological survey has already begun, hoping to obtain the ecological baseline information of the site.
Yuan Hui (right) suggested that after the authorities collect scientific data, it is hoped that the scale of the artificial island can be determined in a "additional or subtractive" manner.
(Photo by Golden Chess)
"Fill up when the wind position is high"
The Environmental Advisory Council today (8th) discussed the details of the consultancy study on artificial islands in the central waters. At the meeting, many members were concerned about the impact of climate change on infrastructure.
Fang Xuecheng, Director of the Sustainable Lantau Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, responded that there will be close liaison with the Observatory and that future development will consider "filling in heights" in windy locations to alleviate the impact of climate change.
In addition, Member Leung Meiyi proposed that if artificial wetlands are developed along the coastline, in addition to reducing the impact of storm surges, it can also increase biodiversity.
She also suggested that the government can refer to places such as Singapore and the Netherlands and use floating installations for construction, such as developing open space in barges, such as stadiums, to reduce the scope and cost of reclamation.
Fang Xuecheng responded that the size and shape of the artificial island are still being studied, and no final decision has been made. His opinions will be considered in detail.
As for financial arrangements, no specific plans have been provided for the time being. It is expected that preliminary financial plans and cost estimates will be available next year.
There will be ecological survey results before the end of next year
Some committee members were concerned about the biodiversity of the artificial island. Vice Chairman Tan Fengyi pointed out that there is coral habitat there; and criticized the authorities’ report that it would increase biodiversity through roof planting and roadside tree planting, saying bluntly, “It’s only about greening, huh. I thought that putting green things would achieve biodiversity."
She believes that other members' proposals such as constructed wetlands can enhance biodiversity.
The authorities responded that the coastline is "inevitably an option", and the ecological survey is currently underway. It is expected that there may be results in the third and fourth quarters of next year, and they can be reported at that time.
Huang Yuanhui was asked after the meeting whether he would deny that the authorities did not pay attention to the ecological impact of the project. He responded that he did not agree, and pointed out that the "Lantau Tomorrow" project is the largest infrastructure project in Hong Kong's history. Environmental protection, engineering and finance are also very important. Because of the big challenge, it will take 42 months to complete the study, and the authorities will go to the Environmental Advisory Council for consultation on the phased progress.
He also expected that the ecological environmental assessment must be carried out for a period of time, which can cover data for about one year.
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Huang hopes that after the authorities have completed the study, they can determine the scale of the artificial island based on objective scientific data. If the data shows that the scale has a negative impact on the ecology, they can consider reducing the scale. Lingzhou area.
When asked when a member criticized the artificial island that only 10% of the land was intended for housing purposes, Huang Yuanhui responded that the living space depends on the plot ratio. A rough estimate of 10% of the living space is not too low, because the overall housing area in Hong Kong is about 8%.
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