SDC Paper No. 63/2019 (For Information)
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SDC Paper No. 63/2019 (for information) Southern District Council District Development and Housing Committee Report of the 22nd Meeting held on 18 July 2019 Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on the major items discussed during the above meeting. Items Discussed Progress of the Planning and Development Study of the Waterfront Area of Ap Lei Chau and Other Related Areas and the Related Matters 2. Members discussed the finalised planning strategy and development options prepared by the Consultant and raised comments on the development options for various parts of the waterfront area in Ap Lei Chau. The Committee agreed to the finalised planning strategies and development options at Annex 3 of the discussion paper and the following revisions: (a) Proposed Short-term Option for Site E-1 – “Relevant department(s) to study the local demand for landing steps and related situations and decide whether additional landing steps and improvement works are needed” to be revised as “Relevant department(s) to study the local demand for landing steps / cat ladder and related situations and decide whether additional landing steps / cat ladder and improvement works are needed”; (b) Proposed Medium-term Option for Site E-1 – “Additional landing steps can be constructed if there is such demand” to be revised as “Additional landing steps / cat ladder can be constructed if there is such demand”; and 1 (c) Proposed Short-term Option for Site E-4 – “A passive open space can be built, such as temporary landscaped gardens, etc.” to be revised as “A passive open space can be built, such as temporary landscaped gardens / pet park, etc.” 3. Upon endorsement by the Committee, an electronic version of the aforesaid planning strategy and development options would be sent to all Members and uploaded onto the homepage of the Southern District Council (SDC). The Consultant would produce a leaflet explaining the development options for public information. In addition, the Secretariat would submit the finalised planning strategy and development options to the relevant departments for their perusal. (Post-meeting note: The Secretariat has uploaded the finalised planning strategy and development options onto the SDC homepage, and sent the electronic version to Members.) Matters Arising – Cyberport Expansion Project 4. The Committee discussed the “Cyberport Expansion Project” at its last meeting on 27 May 2019. In response to Members’ request for more details about the Project, the Innovation and Technology Bureau (ITB) and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (HKCMCL) provided supplementary information at the meeting. A motion on “Associated Works of Cyberport Expansion” was moved by Mr Paul ZIMMERMAN and seconded by Mr CHAI Man-hon. Furthermore, an amendment to motion was raised by Mr CHU Lap-wai, MH and seconded by Mr AU Lap-sing, MH at the meeting. Given that the aforesaid agenda item, the original motion and the amended motion focused on the same topic, they were combined for discussion under one single item. 5. The contents and voting results of the motions are as follows: 2 Original Motion (Moved by Mr Paul ZIMMERMAN, seconded by Mr CHAI Man-hon) “In consideration of the expansion of Cyberport, the Southern District Council requests for implementation of three associated projects which will improve the connection between Cyberport and the neighbouring communities, and provide greater convenience for everyone: the improvement of nearby road junctions; a pedestrian bridge over Waterfall Bay; and an elevated walkway along the shore between Telegraph Bay and Sandy Bay.” Voting result: Passed (with 8 votes in favour, zero against and 11 abstentions) Amended Motion (Moved by Mr CHU Lap-wai, MH, seconded by Mr AU Lap-sing, MH) “In consideration of the expansion of Cyberport, the Southern District Council requests the improvement of the external transport links, implementation of the MTR South Island Line (West) project and provision of an MTR station and pedestrian links in the vicinity of Cyberport, so as to improve the connection between Cyberport and the neighbouring communities, and provide greater convenience to the public.” Voting result: Passed (with 19 votes in favour, zero against and zero abstention) 6. The Committee supported in principle the Project but also expressed concern about the possible impact brought about by the Project on the traffic and livelihood aspects. ITB was urged to note Members’ strong aspiration for implementing the construction of South Island Line (West) (SIL(W)), and HKCMCL was also requested to press for the implementation of SIL(W) Project apart from making improvement to the design of the roads and junctions. Meanwhile, the Committee asked the relevant departments to note Members’ views on strengthening the connection between Cyberport and the neighbouring communities. HKCMCL and the departments concerned were also urged to submit a traffic impact assessment report, respond to Members’ requests, set up a Community Liaison Group and convey Members’ comments to the Town Planning Board. 3 Follow up the Progress of the Provision of Pedestrian Walkways, Public Open Space, Construction of Connection Point to Facilitate Linkage of MTR Shopping Mall with Footbridge and Provision of Performance Venue in the Wong Chuk Hang Comprehensive Development Area 7. The agenda item was raised by Mr TSUI Yuen-wa. Members raised comments about the Wong Chuk Hang Comprehensive Development Area (CDA) in respect of its public open space (POS), emergency vehicular access (E VA), pedestrian walkways and footbridge, etc. 8. Some Members were concerned about selection of a site for use as POS of the CDA. The total area of the POS site had included E VA, resulting in reduction in the public space for the enjoyment of the public. Representative of the Architect appointed by MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) explained that due to geographical constraints with only one side of the site being situated at the at grade level and steep terrain in the surrounding, the proposed POS site had been identified as the best location, having regard to various considerations. Moreover, the site area had been increased from its original design of 1 000 m2 to 1 300 m2. 9. In addition, some Members were concerned about the connection between the pedestrian walkway and footbridge. The MTRCL explained that there would be a 24 hour covered walkway which served to connect MTR Wong Chuk Hang Station to various new facilities to be provided, including the shopping mall, the bus terminus, the mini bus terminus as well as two social welfare facilities. Representative of the Southern District Office (SDO) added that the SDO had acted on SDC’s comments and requested the Transport Department to consider the construction of a footbridge to connect the CDA and the proposed Wong Chuk Hang Community Complex. According to the plan, a footbridge connection point had been reserved in the complex for the construction of footbridge. 10. The Committee considered the CDA an essential development project in the Southern District, and its associated facilities were of utmost importance. MTRCL was urged to note and give due consideration to Members’ comments and aspirations. MTRCL was also advised to maintain communication with the SDC and consult the Committee on various aspects such as design of the project. 4 Request the Government to Increase Resources to Properly Lay a Mountain Trail from Yuk Kwai Shan to Ap Lei Pai 11. The agenda item was raised by Mr LAW Kam-hung. A Member said that hikers preferred natural trails, and the natural scenery that could be preserved in Hong Kong had been declining. Most of the hikers thus objected to the laying of artificial mountain trails. As such, there was reservation about and even objection to the proposal under the agenda item. The Chairman advised that Members might consider arranging a site visit to the relevant sections of the mountain trails before deciding whether further discussion was necessary. Progress Report on Planning Works in the Southern District – Ex-Shek O Quarry 12. A Member enquired about the progress of the planning for the ex-Shek O Quarry site in future. Representative of the Planning Department (PlanD) responded that the site was zoned “Undetermined”. PlanD would start a review of the land use of the site in the coming one to two years. Representative of the Lands Department (LandsD) responded that an application for Short Term Tenancy for the purpose of Hong Kong International Sailing Centre had been received. The application was being circulated to the relevant departments. LandsD had requested the applicant to provide supplementary information on the technical aspect, such as details of the proposed building and arrangement for transport supporting facilities. Reply from the applicant was being awaited. Advice Sought 13. Members are invited to note the content of this paper. Secretariat, Southern District Council August 2019 5 .