Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
First Meeting
Paper No. 4/2004
For discussion
on 6 May 2004
Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
Wan Chai Development Phase II –
Planning and Engineering Review
PURPOSE
This paper outlines the background leading to the setting up of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee ("the Committee") and invites Members' comments on the proposed modus operandi for the Committee.
BACKGROUND
Commitment to protect the Victoria Harbour
2. During the past century, Hong Kong has undergone progressive transformation from a fishing village to an entrepot, an industrial base and today an international financial centre. Reclamation has been used as a means to provide land to meet various economic, transport, housing and social needs of the community of Hong Kong.
3. With the changing aspirations of the community, there have been increasing concerns over further reclamation and strong calls from various community groups for active steps to protect the Harbour. This had led to the enactment of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (Cap.531) in 1997, and the further amendment of the Ordinance to extend its coverage from the Central Harbour to the entire Victoria Harbour in 1999 1. The Town Planning Board also set out a Vision Statement for the Harbour in 1999.
4. The Government fully appreciates the public sentiments to protect and preserve the Victoria Harbour, which is an invaluable natural asset of the people of Hong Kong. As a result, initial plans for reclamation such as those in Kowloon Point and Tsim Sha Tsui were dropped. The reclamation extent of the Central Reclamation Phase III (CRIII) had been reduced from the original planned 32 hectares to 18 hectares. In October 2003, the Government announced the cancellation of more proposed reclamation plans. These include the ones at Tsuen Wan Bay and off Green Islands on Hong Kong Island West.
5. The Government has made a public pledge repeatedly that apart from the current CRIII, the Wan Chai Development Phase II (WDII) and the Southeast Kowloon Development (SEKD), there will be no more reclamation within the Harbour in future. Reviews are being undertaken in respect of WDII and SEKD to ensure any proposed reclamation will comply with the law. Clear internal guidelines will be promulgated to supplement administrative arrangements introduced since 1997 that no proposed reclamation should be authorized under the Foreshore and Sea-bed (Reclamation) Ordinance before the extent of reclamation has been incorporated into the relevant Outline Zoning Plan pursuant to the statutory public consultation process under the Town Planning Ordinance.
Community Initiatives
6. Harbour reclamation has been the subject of several litigations over the past year. We now have a final interpretation of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance given by the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) - the presumption against reclamation can only be rebutted by establishing an overriding public need for reclamation. Details of the CFA judgment are set out in Paper No. 2/2004 for Members' reference.
7. Concurrently, we have seen several community initiatives on how to build consensus on harbour-front planning and enhancement such as the Citizen Envisioning@Harbour and Designing Hong Kong Harbour District. The former advocates the setting up of a "Multi-stakeholder Consensus Building Group" comprising the community, the Government and the business sector as a platform for Hong Kong people to participate in designing our harbour in line with the sustainability principles. The latter is a six-month campaign to promote consensus building among Government, civic and business sectors on sustainable planning principles for the Harbour Districts. Relevant Government bureaux and departments have actively participated in the activities and programmes organized by these bodies.
8. In response to the community's aspirations for a common platform to discuss the planning and development of the harbour-front, the Government has announced on 9 March 2004 the setting up the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee to draw together community's aspirations and efforts, and focus on consensus building amongst multi-stakeholders in creating a vibrant harbour-front for the enjoyment of the community. The Committee came into existence on 1 May 2004.
HARBOUR-FRONT ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
Terms of reference and focus of work
9. The Committee is tasked to advise the Government through the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (SHPL) on planning, land uses and developments along the existing and new harbour-front of the Victoria Harbour, with a view to protecting the harbour; improving the accessibility, utilization and vibrancy of the harbour-front areas; and safeguarding public enjoyment of the Harbour through a balanced, effective and participatory approach. The terms of reference of the Committee are set out at Annex A.
10. The Committee comprises broad-based representatives drawn from professional institutes, harbour planning and development concern groups, business sector, independent personalities so as to foster more balanced discussions on the harbour-front issues. The Chairman and Members are appointed for a two-year term starting from 1 May 2004. The list of membership is at Annex B.
11. Senior representatives of the following bureaux and departments of the Government are also Members of the Committee –
- Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau
- Environment, Transport and Works Bureau
- Planning Department
- Territory Development Department
- Transport Department
- Home Affairs Department
12. Depending on the subject matters, representatives from other bureaux and departments would also attend future meetings of the Committee as and when appropriate.
Providing timely input and advice to the remaining reclamations at Wan Chai and South East Kowloon
13. As part of its terms of reference, the Committee will consider and provide feedback to the Government on the reviews of the last two pieces of proposed reclamation projects within Victoria Harbour, namely (i) Wan Chai Development Phase II (WDII); and (ii) South-east Kowloon Development (SEKD). The Government fully recognizes the importance of engaging the stakeholders at early and various stages of the WDII and SEKD, in order to ensure that any proposed reclamation is to meet overriding public needs and the extent of reclamation is the minimum required and most important of all, has the full support of stakeholders. The Committee will be consulted and involved at every stage of the two reviews. Details of the progress of the two projects are set out in Papers No. 3/2004 and 4/2004.
Delivering "quick-wins" to improve public accessibility to the harbour-front for leisure and enjoyment, and enlist community participation in the process
14. The Committee is invited to provide suggestions to the Government on how to "Bring People to the Harbour and the Harbour to the People" - through various means to better utilize the existing and new waterfront (including the land reclaimed from the CRIII), optimise the design and landscaping of both the existing and planned public open spaces, enhance pedestrian connection to the hinterland, provide more supportive and participatory facilities/functions at the waterfront, and introduce wider variety of land-based and water-based activities. While the Committee would no doubt take reference from overseas and local experience in conducting its work (and the technical cruise tour on 12 May 2004 may help provide some clue), the relevant Government bureaux and departments stand ready to present suggestions for delivering some "quick-wins" for Members' consideration.
15. In response to community aspiration for greater involvement in the planning and design of the future harbour-front, the Committee is also expected to identify, and/or commission projects/activities to involve the wider community in the planning, design, implementation and enjoyment of the harbour-front. Such activities may include exhibitions, roundtable meetings, public forums, workshops/seminars, competitions, and etc.
16. To achieve the above, funding is required. To kick-start such community involvement work, HPLB has identified some resources in its 2004-05 budget for the purpose and will try to explore further resources in future years, particularly in terms of capital works funding to implement some of the harbour-front enhancement projects being identified. In line with a multi-stakeholder approach, the Committee is welcome to come up with initiatives/ideas to tap private sector resources to support such work.
Modus Operandi of the Committee
17. The community has a high expectation of the Committee, and look forward to the Committee to making concrete and tangible contributions towards improving the harbour-front. Since announcement on 9 March, we have received positive feedback and the common views expressed are that the community expects the Committee to operate as a multi-stakeholder group with varied interests represented and that the Committee should operate in an open and transparent manner.
18. Towards this end, a proposed modus operandi has been worked out at paragraphs 19-27 below for Members' consideration. Members are also requested to note the requirements on declaration of interest as set out at paragraph 28.
Committee Logo and Publicity
19. For the purpose of having a unique image of its own, and to promote public awareness of the activities of the Committee, it is recommended that the Committee own a logo and deploy it in its official correspondence, publications and publicity materials and in activities/projects sponsored or organized by the Committee. Some preliminary designs are at Annex C for Member's consideration.
20. Members may also consider other means to educate the public on protection and preservation of the Harbour, publicize the work of the Committee and engage public participation. These may include advertisements on radio and television. The Information Services Department stands ready to offer in-house services and/or hire services from private advertising agents in this aspect.
Mode of meetings
21. For better planning purpose, the Committee will meet on a regular bi-monthly basis. Special meetings may be organized as and when necessary. A tentative meeting schedule up to May 2005 is at Annex D.
22. The operation and proceedings of the Committee would be open and transparent. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings as observers and agenda of the meeting will be posted on the webpage prior to the meeting. Confirmed minutes would be uploaded to the dedicated webpage https://www.harbourfront.org.hk for public viewing. A public bulletin will be maintained so that community feedback and comments on the work of the Committee and other harbour-related issues will be collated by the secretariat and presented to Members for consideration on a regular basis. The public can visit us through our e-mail enquiry@harbourfront.org.hk. If Members wish to contribute articles to share with other Members and members of the public, they are welcome to approach the secretariat.
23. Since meetings are to be held in public, the media is free to observe the discussions. However, on occasions, to better present the Committee's deliberations, the Chairman, together with one to two Members on a rotation basis, may wish to meet the media after the Committee meeting.
24. The Committee may set up sub-committees or working groups to consider specific issues as necessary.
25. To enable Members to have a close update of work on the harbour-front in other places, the Committee is free to conduct research, technical tours and local/overseas visits as necessary. The first technical tour is scheduled to be held on 12 May 2004 to provide Members with a quick overview of the existing land uses and key harbour-front public works projects at the Inner Harbour. Members would be notified of the arrangements shortly.
Interaction with other organisations
26. We understand that many organizations/institutes are interested to participate in the work of the Committee. While the size of the Committee needs to be kept right to make it manageable, it is the intention that when the Committee is up and running, interested parties would be invited to discuss with the Committee on issues of common interest (for example, with bodies engaged in harbour-front sports and leisure activities as well as those representing commercial and economic users).
Secretariat Service
27. As a starting point, the Housing, Planning and Lands Bureaux would provide core secretariat support for the Committee. Member organizations are welcome to offer joint secretariat service to the Committee and the sub-committees and working groups under the Committee.
Declaration of Interest by Members
28. The following guidelines are drawn up for Members' reference and compliance -
- If a Member (including the Chairman) has any pecuniary interest in any matter under consideration by the Committee and/or sub-committee/working groups set up under the Committee, he/she should disclose to the Chairman prior to the discussion of the item. All such declarations shall be recorded in a register kept by the Secretariat and shall be open to public inspection upon request;
- the Chairman shall decide whether the Member should withdraw his/her presence from the meeting;
- where a Member is in receipt of a paper for discussion which he/she knows would present a conflict of interest, he/she should return the paper to the Secretariat.
Secretariat, Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
May 2004
1.The boundaries of the harbour are defined by Schedule 3 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance, Cap. 1: "On the east - A straight line drawn from the westernmost extremity of Siu Chau Wan Point to the westernmost extremity of Ah Kung Ngam Point (sometimes known as Kung Am). On the west - a straight line drawn from the westernmost point of Island of Hong Kong to the westernmost point of Green Island, thence a straight line drawn from the westernmost point of Green Island to the south-easternmost point of Tsing Yi, thence along the eastern and northern coast lines of Tsing Yi to the westernmost extremity of Tsing Yi and thence a straight line drawn true north therefrom to the mainland."
Annex A: HARBOUR-FRONT ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
To advise the Government through the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands on planning, land uses and developments along the existing and new harbour-front of the Victoria Harbour, with a view to protecting the Harbour; improving the accessibility, utilization and vibrancy of the harbour-front areas; and safeguarding public enjoyment of the Harbour through a balanced, effective and public participation approach.
- Specifically, the Committee will –
- Provide feedback to the reviews on the remaining proposed reclamation within the harbour, namely the Wan Chai North and Southeast Kowloon reclamation proposals;
- Advise on the planning, land use, design and development issues relating to the existing and new harbour-fronts;
- Advise on means to enlist greater public involvement in the planning and design of the harbour-front areas; and
- Explore optimal ways to manage the harbour-front areas, including private sector participation.
Annex B: HARBOUR-FRONT ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
| Chairman : | Professor LEE Chack-fan Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Chair Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hong Kong |
|---|---|
| Members : |
Unofficial Members
| Business Environment Council | (represented by Dr. Andrew L. Thomson, Chief Executive Officer) |
| Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong | (represented by Mr LEUNG Kong-yui, President) |
| Citizen Envisioning @ Harbour | (represented by Dr NG Mee-kam) |
| Conservancy Association | (represented by Dr Alvin KWOK Ngai-Kuen, Director ) |
| Friends of the Earth | (represented by Mrs Mei NG, Director) |
| Hong Kong Institute of Architects | (represented by Mr Vincent NG, Chairman of Planning and Lands Committee of HKIA) |
| Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects | (represented by Mr Leslie CHEN, Vice President) |
| Hong Kong Institute of Planners | (represented by Mr Roger TANG, Vice President) |
| Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors | (represented by Mr Bernard CHAN Kwok-fai, Honorary Secretary) |
| Hong Kong Institution of Engineers | (represented by Ir Dr Greg WONG Chak-yan, Vice President) |
| Hong Kong Tourism Board | (represented by Mrs Aliana HO, General Manager, Tourism Marketing) |
| Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong | (representative to be confirmed) |
| Society for Protection of the Harbour Limited | (represented by Mr Hardy Lok, Director) |
| Mr Nicholas Charles BROOKE | |
| Mr CHAN Tak-chor | |
| Dr CHAN Wai-kwan | |
| Mr CHAN Yiu-fai, Steve | |
| Professor JIM Chi-yung | |
| Mr KWOK Chun-wah, Jimmy | |
| Professor LAM Kin-che | |
| Mr LAU Hing-tat, Patrick | |
| Ms LEE Wai-king, Starry | |
| Mr WU Man-keung, John |
Official Members
| Mrs Carrie LAM | Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) |
| Miss Margaret FONG | Deputy Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works |
| Mr. Bosco FUNG | Director of Planning |
| Mr. S.V. CHAI | Director of Territory Development |
| Mr. LAU Ka-keung | Deputy Commissioner for Transport/ Planning and Technical Services |
| Mr. LI Pak-chuen, Patrick | Assistant Director of Home Affairs |
Secretary
Miss Christine CHOW, Principal Assistant Secretary (Planning and Lands)
Annex D: HARBOUR-FRONT ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
| Proposed Meeting Schedule (May 2004 - May 2005) | |
| Dates: | 6 May 2004 |
|---|---|
| 8 July 2004 | |
| 9 September 2004 | |
| 4 November 2004 | |
| 13 January 2005 | |
| 3 March 2005 | |
| 5 May 2005 | |
| * all are Thursdays | |
| * Chinese New Year holiday (9-11 February 2005) | |
| Time : | 2:30 p.m. |
| Venue : | 3/F, 3, Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong (Liquor Licensing Board Conference Room) |