Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion Date: 15 July 2006 (Saturday) Time: 2:30pm to 5:00pm Venue: Basement, Fashion World (Site 2), Wonderful Worlds of Whampoa, Hung Hom, Kowloon Moderator: Dr. Peter Wong King-keung Vice-Chairman, Town Planning Board Panel Members: Ir. WONG Kwok-keung Chairman, Kowloon City District Council Ms Starry LEE Wai-king Member of Sub-committee on South East Kowloon Development Review of Harbour-front Enhancement Committee Mr Anthony KWAN Assistant Director of Planning/ Metro, Planning Department Expert Panel: Mr Daniel SIN Pak-wing Assistant Secretary (Home Affairs) (Recreation & Sport), Home Affairs Bureau Mr Peter MOK Pang-ching Senior Engineer/ Kowloon, Civil Engineering and Development Department Mr Derek SUN City Planning-Maunsell Joint Venture Mr Eric MA City Planning-Maunsell Joint Venture Pg 1 of 10 Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion OPENING REMARKS BY THE MODERATOR AND PANEL MEMBERS Dr. Peter Wong King Keung The moderator welcomed all participants and introduced the panel members. At the two previous stages, views from public and professional sector were collected and considered for the preparation of the Preliminary Outline Development Plan (PODP). Proposed developments such as cruise terminal, heliport and sports complex have been included in the present PODP. However, the PODP did not represent the final planning of Kai Tak, further amendments would be made after taking into account views/recommendations collected from this stage public participation exercise. The moderator reminded the participants that today event did not aim to make concrete decision but to involve the community in planning the future of Kai Tak and in building consensus on the development proposals. Diverse and even contradictory views were expected and the Government would strive to balance different interests. Ir. Wong Kwok Keung Four most concerned issues of Kowloon City District Council (KCDC) were: 1) Pollution problems at Kai Tak Approach Channel (KTAC). Residents of Kowloon City supported reclaiming KTAC to solve problems of KTAC and a “reclamation” scenario should be included; 2) Information on the effectiveness of reclamation and no reclamation should be available to the public; 3) Integration, connection and interface of Kai Tak with its neighbourhoods was essential to the surrounding districts to help revitalize the old districts, and 4) Fully support development of cruise terminal to stimulate the local economy. Mr. Anthony Kwan The main purpose of consultation was to achieve consensus building. Views/recommendations collected were examined and different departments were consulted for the preparation of the PODP. In response to public aspiration, Kai Tak was proposed to be a low-density development area with an extensive open space system (about1/3 of the total area). Some people supported reclamation to create more land for development whilst others considered that the original configuration of Kai Tak should be retained as it was an important heritage of Hong Kong. Given the statutory principle to protect Pg 2 of 10 Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion and preserve the Victoria Harbour as established under the Protection of Harbour Ordinance (PHO), this Study has adopted “no reclamation” as the starting point in developing the relevant proposals. Moreover the Study Team has undertaken investigations and analyses on different mitigation measures and if results were positive, there would be no need for reclamation. Another main public concern was linkages (in particular pedestrian linkages) between Kai Tak and neighbouring areas. The PODP has proposed more than 20 connection points with surrounding districts in terms of footbridges, subways and retail subway. More views were welcomed for further enhancement. Ms. Starry Lee The Kai Tak nullah was a main concern of the public. Other public requested for the provision of close and direct access to Kai Tak. For example footbridges and a continuous waterfront promenade linking To Kwa Wan, through Kwun Tong to Lei Yue Mun. For more convenient access to the Metro Park from To Kwa Wan and Kwun Tong, more footbridges were required. FLOOR DISCUSSION (1) Ms. Sylvia Siu, Member of Kowloon City District Council Development of Kai Tak should commence as soon as possible. Not agreed with the proposal to allocate part of Kai Tak for private development. The Government should provide the costs of both “reclamation” and “no reclamation” scenarios. Questioned the effectiveness of mitigation measures proposed for tackling the environmental problems of the KTAC. Supported reclaiming KTAC for provision of more open space. The proposed 600 metres gap would enable pollutants flow to the water bodies at Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan. Mr. Pedro Chan (陳焜鏞), To Kwa Wan Sub-Committee of Kowloon City District Council Concerned about the smell of the Harbour and proposed to smoothen the corner at Dining Cove to increase water circulation thus helping to eliminate smell. An alternative option was to build a dam to enable water sports activities. Even though the Shatin-to-Central Link was proposed, connection between Kwun Pg 3 of 10 Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion Tong and west Kowloon was still considered inadequate. With the development of the proposed facilities in Kai Tak, traffic impact on existing road network would be a main concern. Mr. Chan Wing Lim, Kowloon City District Council Views collected from residents of Kwun Tong, Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin districts indicated that KTAC should be reclaimed. The Kai Tak Runway was an important heritage of Hong Kong. Breaking a 600m gap was considered not sustainable in terms of environment and land resources. Kowloon City district was seriously short of sports and recreational facilities. It was hope that more of these facilities could be provided within the open space as proposed in Kai Tak. The Sung Wong Toi Inscription Rock was not located at a prominent location. The Government should re-package the Rock and its history thus creating a heritage node. Mr. Lee Cheuk Fan, Kowloon City Business Association (龍城區商聯會) Main concern of business operators in Kowloon City was the provision of supporting facilities and infrastructure, in particular transport facilities to attract people from other districts to Kai Tak and Kowloon City. SCL Kai Tak Station was quite far away from Kowloon City. It was hoped that more direct connections (e.g. subways) could be provided to link up Kowloon City and future Kai Tak. RESPONSES TO FLOOR DISCUSSION (1) Mr. Eric Ma, Study Consultant Given the statutory principle to protect and preserve the Victoria Harbour, the Study has adopted “no reclamation” as the starting point in developing the relevant proposals. Moreover it could be evident that water quality has been improving and with the assistance of Drainage Service Department (DSD) and Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to identify and eliminate pollution sources and illegal discharge, water quality would continue to improve. Existing water body at northern end of KTAC was quite stagnant and small amount of sediment would create unpleasant smell. By creating a 600m opening, water Pg 4 of 10 Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion circulation would be improved and sedimentation would be reduced. A piled deck would be provided above the opening gap to maintain the original shape of the ex-runway and the KTAC. In terms of traffic, in a strategic context, the Central Kowloon Route would serve to provide direct route linking up east and west Kowloon regions, thus removing cross-regions traffic from the existing road networks in the surrounding districts thus providing capacity to absorb addition traffic from Kai Tak development. Connections with Kwun Tong – different proposals have been examined in terms of bridge, tunnel, openable bridge but there were technical issues still to be resolved. The community was encouraged to voice out their views and recommendations. FLOOR DISCUSSION (2) Mr. Lee Sum, Resident of To Kwa Wan If the court has decided that there could be no reclamation, then we should concentrate on “no reclamation”. Personally, certain extent of reclamation at To Kwa Wan was acceptable in order to achieve a continuous waterfront promenade. Sports stadium should be located close to the waterfront for crowd dispersal thus less impact on neighbouring areas. Major efforts have been made by the Government and the community on the planning of Kai Tak, development should begin without further delay. Mr. Cheung Yan Hong, Wong Po Resident Association (張仁康先生–黃埔居民協會社區建 設顧問團召集人) Not agreed with the location of the SCL depot as it would separate Kai Tak from Kowloon City. Kai Tak and Kowloon City should be connected by subway. Therefore basement construction must be included as a requirement in future land sale. All buildings should not exceed 20 storeys tall. Less at-grade roads help improve visual quality. Alternative means should be explored. Bridge Connection with Kwun Tong – recommended to locate observation towers at the shores to link up the bridge. Pg 5 of 10 Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3 Public Participation Preliminary Outline Development Plan District Forum 1 (15.7.2006) Summary of Discussion Kwun Tong Ferry Pier should be retained and redeveloped to a fisherman wharf as a tourist attraction. Light rail and monorail should be considered to enhance connectivity. Concerned about the potential noise impact associated with the proposed heliport. Ms. Chu Mo Fong, Representative Ma Tau Kok Resident Concerned Group (朱慕芳女 士 – 馬頭角居民關注組) Ma Tau Kok residents were very concerned about how Ma Tau Kok would integrate with Kai Tak.