Today, I submitted the First-term Work Report of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee (LanDAC) to the Chief Executive. The report sets out the LanDAC’s major proposals for Lantau development in different aspects, including spatial planning and land use, conservation, strategic transport infrastructure, social development, recreation and tourism. It also outlines the direction of the Committee’s next step of work. Generally, the LanDAC targets to develop Lantau into a community desirable for living, work, business, leisure and study, and to grasp the opportunities of Lantau development to create new spaces for people in Hong Kong. Inspired by this idea, we named the report “Space for all” which has been uploaded to the Development Bureau’s website for public reference. I would like to elaborate on a few main points here.

First, it is an indisputable fact that Hong Kong lacks developable land. To sustain our social development in the long-term, we must enhance our competitiveness and explore new opportunities in response to changing environment of Hong Kong and the surrounding areas. The younger generation, in particular, is no longer content with the traditional four pillar industries, and expects the society to have more new industries and diverse employment options. This also requires development of new land for new industries to flourish and avoid vicious competition on land resources between different industries.

Currently, communities in Lantau are facing different problems. Take Tung Chung, the most populous community, as an example, since its population is far lower than that of other well-developed new towns (such as Sha Tin or Tai Po), large-scale community facilities have not yet been available in consideration of economies of scale. In addition, there is a mismatch between manpower and job opportunities in the community which is expected to aggravate when major infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Three-runway System at the airport are completed in future. Besides, many local residents have expressed their strong desire for enhancing the transport facilities in Lantau.

All these problems have to be tackled through proper planning and development. In view of this, the LanDAC proposes to focus on strategic economic and housing developments at the Northern Lantau Corridor. Projects under planning include the Tung Chung New Town Extension, Siu Ho Wan development, Three-runway System at the airport, North Commercial District on the airport island, and Topside Development at the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities Island of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Meanwhile, the LanDAC proposes to build more facilities for tertiary education and professional training to provide youngsters in Lantau with more education opportunities enabling them to meet future needs of social development.

In terms of transportation, both the LanDAC and members of local communities considered that the existing traffic and transport facilities in Lantau are lagging behind. Advancement of traffic and transport infrastructure should thus be of priority and is very crucial for taking forward Lantau development. The LanDAC proposes to conduct a comprehensive traffic and transport study on various aspects such as connecting major growth areas in Lantau with the urban and the Northwest New Territories by railway and road systems, so as to cater for long-term development of Lantau. Traffic facilities and public transport arrangements should also be enhanced as short- and medium-term measures.

The general public is keen on preserving the precious natural environment in Lantau. In this regard, the LanDAC considered that conservation and development should not be polar opposites, while pure preservation does not necessarily mean effective conservation. Effective conservation of the natural environment requires not only preservation and protection, but also enhancement and utilisation of it in a responsible manner, and in consideration of actual circumstances and the principle of sustainable development, so that people can learn about, appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the natural environment. In fact, the vision, strategic positioning, planning principles and major proposals in the LanDAC’s Work Report have repeatedly stressed on conservation and sustainable development. On the aspects of spatial planning and land use, the LanDAC suggests the predominant part of Lantau be used for conservation, leisure and recreation, so as to fully utilise those valuable resources for public appreciation and enjoyment in the principle of sustainable development. Specific suggestions include strengthening heritage and landscape conservation, and enhancing hiking and camping facilities in country parks.

Living the hustle and bustle of city life, many of the general public look for more diversified recreation and tourism facilities, so that they can have more recreation and leisure options at weekends and holidays to embrace and relax in the countryside and natural environment. On the premise of balancing conservation needs, the LanDAC suggests shaping Lantau into “a kaleidoscopic recreation and tourism destination”. It has submitted a preliminary proposal on recreation and tourism for several locations, covering recreational and outdoor activities, leisure, ecological or cultural tourism. In such a way more people can learn about and enjoy the beauty of Lantau.

In the next few months, we will introduce to the public the proposed Lantau development strategies and listen to their opinions through a series of activities including roving exhibitions, presentations and public forums. Relevant government departments will also further study the technical feasibility of various proposals and explore their implementation mechanism, with a view to creating project items for taking forward the feasible proposals in phases. Lantau development is a matter of concern to the long-term social and economic development of Hong Kong. We look forward to your views on the LanDAC’s recommendations, and will listen carefully to achieve social consensus and create a “Space for All”.