Comparison of Site Options

Kong Nga Po Heung Yeung Wai Lin Ma Hang Tung Lung Chau Hei Ling Chau

Land Use and Have potential for housing and economic development over the Tung Lung Chau and its Hei Ling Chau and Environmental long term if Closed Area Policy is lifted. Recent proposals, such vicinity are proposed for Sunshine Island are Considerations as the Regional Express Line proposed by the Second Railway conservation in the Study proposed for Development Strategy and the - Eastern on South East New conservation in the Study Corridor, will enhance this potential. Territories Development on South West New Strategy Review Territories Development There are proposals from the One Country, Two Systems Research Institute and Hong Kong China Relation Strategic Development (SENTDSR) due to the Strategy Review Research Fund, etc. advocating the opening up of the Frontier presence of archaeological (SWNTDSR) due to the Closed Area (FCA) for various activities to foster co-operation sites, declared monuments, presence of ecologically between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It appears that there are historical site, rare steep important habitats and increasing community pressure or aspirations for closer cliffs, sea caves as well as the natural landscape co-operation through opening up the FCA. natural and undisturbed values of the islands. landscape and coastline. The long term role of the FCA, including such aspects as its functions, extent and scope of development, timing and priority The site has been agreed etc. will be examined in the HK 2030 Study: Planning Vision and for designation as a Strategy which will be completed in 2004. country park by the Country Park Committee The prison development would not only pose a serious constraint of the Country and Marine but also pre-empt and jeopardise the long term development of the Parks Board.

FCA. Appendix III The prison development The sites have the potential to be developed as boundary towns if will have a significant the Regional Express Line as recommended in the Second Railway visual impact on the Development Strategy is materialized in future. The prison surrounding areas. development may pre-empt such potential.

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Kong Nga Po Heung Yeung Wai Lin Ma Hang Tung Lung Chau Hei Ling Chau

Impact on Some existing A number of A number of recognized Insignificant impact as Insignificant impact as Existing settlements recognized villages will be affected. compared to land-based compared to land-based Settlements will be villages will be options. options. affected. affected.

Site Relatively flat Relatively flat Due to rugged Due to rugged topography Due to rugged Topography land is land is topography, more of the island, very topography of the island, available. available. extensive site formation extensive site formation is very extensive site is required as compared required. formation is required. to other land-based options.

Impact of N.A. The natural setting of the The natural setting of the Reclamation island and the coastline island and the coastline will be destroyed. will be destroyed.

It will reduce the width of The marine ecology and waterways at Tathong existing fish culture Channel at the eastern zones in the area could harbour and thus affecting be affected. the marine traffic.

It will have serious impact on the visually prominent gateway to the eastern harbour of Hong Kong.

The existing coral communities and fisheries nearby will be affected. - 3 -

Kong Nga Po Heung Yeung Wai Lin Ma Hang Tung Lung Chau Hei Ling Chau

Site Readily Less accessible Less accessible by land Road crossing has to be Road crossing has to be Accessibility accessible by by land transport provided for land transport. provided for land land transport transport transport. Possible road crossing will bisect Tit Cham Chau Possible fixed crossing which is part of Clear via Mui Wo will have Water Bay Country Park heritage and landscape and will have impact on impacts. environmental conservation and local ecology.

Conservation, No known No known There is a potential Site Tung Lung Chau and its Hei Ling Chau and Fisheries and ecological ecological of Special Scientific vicinity are proposed for Sunshine Island are Ecology importance. importance. Interests including the conservation in proposed for Lin Ma Hang Stream SENTDSR. conservation in drainage basin. SWNTDSR. Coral communities between Tung Lung Chau Marine ecology and fish and Tit Cham Chau and culture zones in the area fisheries nearby will be could be affected. affected. Presence of ecologically important habitat for the rare Bogadek’s Burrowing endemic to Hong Kong.

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Kong Nga Po Heung Yeung Wai Lin Ma Hang Tung Lung Chau Hei Ling Chau

Historical No known historical features There will be impact on No known historical Features archaeological sites, features historical sites (including ) and declared monuments (including Tung Lung Fort and Tung Lung Rock Carving) on the island and its recreational value.

Overall None of the site options identified are considered ideal. Either the development potential of the frontier will be constrained by the Remarks land-based options or the conservation value of the island sites have to be compromised. The co-location of prison development would involve very expensive trade-offs for the community which should be fully taken into account for a conscious and well-balanced decision.

Tung Lung Chau has very high conservation value and is considered most undesirable.

and Lin Ma Hang are subject to various development constraints.

By comparison, Kong Nga Po and Hei Ling Chau are two lesser evils among the site options.

In future project feasibility study, all environmental issues have to be addressed and mitigated.