The public engagement exercise for Lantau development concluded at the end of April.  We have received a lot of feedback, and are consolidating and analysing the relevant information. Initial analysis shows that there are public opinions for and against our proposals.  Some call for more detailed studies and assessments on Lantau development, including studies on Lantau’s traffic and transport infrastructures and carrying capacity, while some request the formulation of more detailed conservation measures and swift improvement of various infrastructures in the rural village areas.  After consolidating all the public opinions and relevant information, we expect to announce the Blueprint for Lantau development at the end of this year, and set out the broad timetable for implementation of various studies and projects.

In the past three months, we have carried out various promotional activities and consultation work, including three large-scale public forums.  I also attended a public hearing of the Panel on Development of the Legislative Council (LegCo) in mid-April to solicit views from the public.  We listen closely to and analyse pragmatically all the public opinions no matter they are for or against our proposals.  In fact, if we could put aside our prejudices and discuss and analyse the issues in a sensible and pragmatic manner, the divergences among different stances and views may not be as large as conceived.

For instance, some criticised at the LegCo’s public hearing that the Government only focuses on developing major infrastructures while ignoring the provision of local community facilities, leading to daily living issues like commuting to work and school in other districts, etc.  In fact, providing better community and support facilities has always been one of the major goals of Lantau Development.  We hope to take this opportunity to develop Lantau into a smart and low-carbon community for living, work, business, leisure and study.  Take Tung Chung as an example, we are well aware that the residents have been calling for better community facilities for years.  Due to economies of scale, certain large-scale community facilities in the district is unable to be provided at the moment, as the current population of Tung Chung is only about 100 000, which is far less than that of other mature new towns such as Sha Tin and Tai Po.  However, when Tung Chung New Town Extension (TCNTE) is gradually completed in future, with the addition of substantial public and private housing, as well as the construction of railway stations and various community facilities, the population and community facilities of Tung Chung will then catch up with those of other existing mature new towns, hence addressing the local residents’ demand.  At the same time, the proposed strategic economic and housing developments concentrating at the North Lantau Corridor can take advantage of the planned or on-going major infrastructures to achieve synergy, and hopefully create more job opportunities from those proposed developments enabling more local residents to work within their living districts.  In fact, during the public engagement exercise, the public generally gave positive responses regarding the TCNTE and the development proposals of north Lantau.

Furthermore, there are concerns that some of our proposals for recreation and tourism may damage the natural environment of Lantau along with its original characteristics.  I must stress that we have no intention of turning Lantau into a so-called “artificial entertainment city”.  The natural beauty of Lantau is one of the main features that lure the public to the island.  I hiked in Lantau with my colleagues several times.  We all appreciate and enjoy the natural surroundings there, and oppose any irrational development proposals that would jeopardise these landscape features.  As stated in the First-term Work Report of the Lantau Development Advisory Committee, the predominant part of Lantau, inclusive of the country parks covering 70 percent of Lantau’s land area, will be used for conservation and leisure purposes.  Most of the recreation and tourism proposals at south Lantau have taken into account its original local characteristics, or aim at enhancing some of the existing public leisure facilities.  We will keep an open mind when considering individual recreational and tourism proposals, and make sure that they will only be carried out when there is greater consensus in the community.

Moreover, many people like a getaway from the urban area to the outskirts or outlying islands (including Lantau) on holidays for relaxation and fresh air.  I believe that long queues of holiday makers at the bus stops or piers on public holidays must be a familiar sight to you all.  It is an indisputable fact that there is a keen demand among Hong Kong people for ecological, historical and cultural tourism as well as diversified leisure activities.  Therefore, we must as soon as possible carry out studies on Lantau’s carrying capacity, and on how to improve the local tranpsort infrastructures having due regard to the environment and technical feasibility. Otherwise, the traffic congestion and overcrowding of visitors currently seen in Lantau on holidays will never be alleviated.

Evidently, a lot of work will be involved to solidly take forward Lantau development and conservation, as well as to improve local residents’ livelihood and community facilities in the area.  We earnestly hope to increase manpower as soon as possible to establish a dedicated multi-disciplinary office to carry out the work concerned.  This proposal has secured the support of LegCo’s Panel on Development earlier on.  I should be most grateful if LegCo approves the proposal for extra manpower as well as funding for the advance works of the TCNTE in the remaining period of the current LegCo session, so that we can commence the reclamation at Tung Chung East in 2018.  The TCNTE project will provide a total of over 49 000 public and private residential units in phases.  We also hope to have an early start of various studies and work including those on the supporting transport facilities so as to capitalise on the opportunities of development and conservation for Lantau, thus benefiting everyone in Hong Kong at the earliest possible.