A special meeting of land experts will reach 2 sensitive issues

The fifth meeting of the Land Supply Task Force to be held tomorrow will reach two sensitive issues in country parks and the Plover Cove Reservoir. It is learned that the official estimate that the development of country parks takes more than 10 years, or even 15 to 18 years, making it difficult for short-term supply options.

Difficult to develop short-term supply of country parks

Following discussions last month on reclamation and container terminal building, the Lands Section will discuss the development of country parks tomorrow and the construction of a floating freshwater lake in the Bay to address two sensitive issues tomorrow (5th).

It is understood that there are currently 44,000 hectares of country parks in the country. Although the Government has not assessed how much of the land has the potential for development, it has a rough estimate that if 0.1% of the country park land is allocated, it is estimated that 7,500 .

Some members also mentioned that the preparatory work for the development of country parks is numerous. They include going through a series of planning procedures and ecological assessments, public consultation, environmental impact assessment, statutory procedures for amending the Country Parks Ordinance to urban planning, It takes more than 10 years to implement the development and 15 to 18 years to complete.

As for the current study being conducted by the HKHS on the construction of two sites on the two sides of Tai Lam and Ma On Shan Country Parks, it is estimated that they will be completed in 2019, that is, they will not be able to make public the matter as soon as they reach the public consultation. However, some members predict that the findings of the HS will not directly affect the work of the Panel as the study involves two specific land developments. However, the panel will consider the issue of the principle of developing a country park.

Speeding Plover Cove Reservoir Jianhua desalination plant

In addition, some members consider that there is a difference in public acceptance of the scale with which country parks can be developed. It is proposed that a maximum ceiling for development be set for future consultation so that the public can feel at ease and there will be no blind development.

In addition, the idea put forward by the University of Hong Kong to fill in the Plover Cove Reservoir to build 300,000 flats will also be discussed tomorrow. It is learned that although proponents think it is possible to reduce the need for water storage through the development of desalination, the relevant government departments expect that it will take a long time to develop desalination and it will not be easy to implement the construction of desalination plants.

Therefore, at present, freshwater plovers make up 40% of the total storage of reservoirs in Hong Kong. After filling in for development, the fresh water storage capacity will be reduced from 4 to 6 months to 3 to 4 months. The lake still plays an important role in maintaining fresh water supply.

At the same time, the Plover Cove freshwater lake is located far away from the major transport infrastructures. If large-scale development is to be carried out in the future, it will inevitably result in an increase of capital construction costs. The cost of the project will not only be very high but also inevitably involve the development of country parks in the surrounding areas. There is considerable ecological and conservation value, which will also be affected by the HD’s.