The Government is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to increase land supply. Cavern development is one of the long-term initiatives. Land can be released for other uses by relocating some existing facilities to caverns. On this, we are taking forward the work steadily. In particular, the Stage 3 Public Engagement for Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to caverns had been progressing well and was just completed in early March.
The Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works, commissioned in 1982, was originally located at the outskirts of Sha Tin New Town. Due to the rapid developments in Sha Tin and Ma On Shan, the site has gradually become the relatively central part of the area. The site has a footprint of 28 hectares, which is equivalent to one and a half Victoria Park. Coupled with the major infrastructures nearby, the site is a precious space worth better utilisation. In view of this, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) is carrying out the Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns project to relocate the treatment works to caverns to be constructed in Nui Po Shan at the opposite side of Shing Mun River, so as to release this piece of high-quality land for other beneficial uses. The project will also help improve the surrounding environment, bringing both social and environmental benefits.
The DSD commenced the feasibility study on the relocation project in 2012 and took a brand-new “experiential, multi-platform and iconic” approach in conducting public engagement activities so as to engage in active communication with the stakeholders. Three rounds of public engagement activities were conducted, enabling the public to better understand the project, express their views, and make joint efforts with the Government to refine the project. The DSD has earned the recognition of international professional organisations for its work and has won a number of awards, including the “2014 International Water Association Global Project Innovation Awards- Marketing and Communications Category”, and the “New Civil Engineer (NCE) Tunnelling and Underground Space Awards 2015 - Sustainable Use of Underground Space Category” of the British engineering magazine, NCE. The jury commended that the relocation project had not only met the vision of sustainable development in all respects but also addressed the need of environment, community and public. The project thus set a very good example of sustainable use of underground space. In fact, the DSD project team attached great importance to the sustainability of the project, including exploration of high-performance designs and operation plans to reduce construction scale and resource consumption.
The Stage 3 Public Engagement for the Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns has completed. Views collected from different stages have shown that the public generally support the relocation project. The environmental impact assessment of the project has been substantially completed and the DSD is conducting detailed investigations and design. The relocation plans of the Sai Kung and Sham Tseng Sewage Treatment Works are also on track for public engagement exercises. Since moving the existing facilities into caverns is a long-term work, we keep an open mind to the future land use of the current sites of these treatment works, and will listen sincerely to views of stakeholders.
We will continue to stay transparent and engage the public while taking forward the carven development to increase land supply and improve the living environment for the community.
13 March, 2016
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