Open Letters and Documents
Letter dated 8 March 2005 sent to the South China Morning Post
The Editor
South China Morning Post
8 March 2005
I refer to Mr Paul Zimmerman's article on "Develop a single land and transport policy" in Insight published on March 7.
Informed readers will know that Hong Kong has a well established land use planning system. Statutory town plans are drawn up through an elaborate and open process. Sustainable development balancing the different needs of the society is invariably the planning principle adopted in the preparation of the plans.
The land use planning of the areas around the harbour is no exception. Very comprehensive work has been done and detailed outline zoning plans for these areas exist and are being applied. As always, planning is an on-going and evolving process, to meet changing needs and new circumstances. However, to disregard the existing plans altogether by arbitrarily freezing all developments of new infrastructure and facilities, and calling a halt to land sales along the harbour front, is unreasonable and unjustified.
Protecting the harbour and enhancing our harbour front for the enjoyment by the community is a major task of the Government. As we have declared on various occasions, there are only three remaining reclamation plans within the limits of the harbour, namely, the Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII), Wan Chai Development Phase II and ex-Kai Tak Development. For all these areas, reclamation would proceed only if there is an overriding public need (such as the provision of essential transport infrastructure like the Central-Wan Chai Bypass) and there is no reasonable alternative. In any case, the Government will endeavour to minimise the extent of reclamation. Land sale is not, and will not, be the purpose of reclamation.
We agree entirely that we need a harbour-front enhancement strategy. That is one of our prime objectives in establishing the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC). In fact, we look to the HEC to advise us on the land use planning and developments along the existing and new harbour front of Victoria Harbour, with a view to protecting the harbour and improving its accessibility, utilisation and vibrancy so that people can enjoy the harbour. We are grateful for the time and efforts made by HEC members in putting up ideas and suggestions on how to enhance our harbour front. We also welcome ideas from other bodies in this connection. Indeed, some organisations have applied to the Town Planning Board for changes in land use or rezoning of the relevant sites.
As regards the institutional set-up, the matter was thoroughly considered by the Government before the establishment of HEC. Considering the need to avoid duplication of work with other statutory bodies and to keep a lean administrative structure; and given the resource constraint within the Government, our preferred approach is to establish the HEC but not another authority such as a harbour authority or a harbour front task force. A premature decision to set up yet another bureaucracy may be counter-productive and may result in inefficient use of public funds. Having said this, we will keep under constant review how to further enhance the co-ordination among relevant parties, both within and outside the Government.
I understand that following the Town Planning Board's Vision Statement on the Harbour, the HEC is currently drawing up a set of harbour planning principles which are intended to provide a basis for all in the planning, development and management of Victoria Harbour and its waterfront areas. It is Government's duty to protect and preserve the harbour and to observe the presumption against reclamation as specified in the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance. Towards this end, the Government will continue to work together with the community. The suggestions by HEC regarding harbour planning principles will provide tremendous help.
(Mr Thomas Tso)
Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands