F. Other Relevant Projects F1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge F2. Container Terminal 10 F3. Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal F1. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Background In January 2003, the HKSAR and the National Development and Reform Commission jointly commissioned the Institution of Comprehensive Transportation to conduct a study on the transport linkage between the HKSAR and Pearl River West. Completed in July 2003, the study concluded that the construction of a land transport link between Hong Kong and Pearl River West would contribute to the development of tourism, logistics, finance and trade in Hong Kong, reinforce our status as an international shipping and aviation centre, and also promote the economic integration between Hong Kong and Pearl River West. After the State Council had given approval for the Governments of the HKSAR, Guangdong Province and the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) to proceed with the preparatory work for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), the three Governments set up the HZMB Advance Work Co-ordination Group in August 2003 and commissioned a feasibility study for the project subsequently. The three Governments are now deliberating the findings of the study and is mapping out the actions that should be taken in the next stage of work. On another front, the HKSAR Government is undertaking an Investigation and Preliminary Design Study on the Hong Kong Section of the HZMB and its connection with the North Lantau Highway (NLHC). Location of the landing point of the HZMB in Hong Kong Geographically, the Bridge has to land in the western part of Hong Kong. The possible sites for landing can be grouped into three main areas, namely Tuen Mun West, South West Lantau and North West Lantau. Tuen Mun West was ruled out as a landing point for the bridge because Tuen Mun West is the furthest away from Macao, hence resulting in the longest Bridge, and is away from the existing and planned strategic facilities such as the Airport and the Hong Kong Disneyland located in North Lantau; and the traffic impact of the Bridge on the local network in Tuen Mun would be severe. A landing at South West Lantau has also been ruled out because the waters off South West Lantau is frequented by Chinese White Dolphins and is an important habitat for the species; and a landing at South West Lantau would result in adverse impact on the proposed Marine Park, Lantau South Country Park and the ecologically sensitive sites in the area. Comparatively speaking, North West Lantau has the following advantages: (a) the proposed landing points are in closer proximity to the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong Disneyland, and can bring cross-boundary traffic directly to these destinations through a shorter connecting infrastructure; (b) a landing point at North West Lantau is found to have comparatively less environmental impact; and (c) the existing road network can cope with the additional traffic generated by the Bridge when it opens. The network can also be improved incrementally in the longer term as traffic builds up. Annex 4 – F1 p.365 On 1 and 2 April 2005, the National Development and Reform Commission organized an Expert Panel Meeting on the HZMB Alignment. The Expert Panel Meeting recommended the bridge-cum-tunnel alignment with landings at San Shek Wan of the HKSAR, Gongbei of Zhuhai and A Pérola of the Macao SAR. This recommendation is in line with the conclusion that North West Lantau offers the best landing point for the Bridge. The HZMB would greatly benefit the development of Hong Kong, and in particular the development of Lantau, and was included as a planned project in the Concept Plan. Investigation and Preliminary Design Study for the Hong Kong Section of HZMB and Connection with North Lantau Highway (NLH) As mentioned above, an Investigation and Preliminary Design Study for the Hong Kong Section of the HZMB and the NLHC is currently being undertaken by Highways Department. Various alignment options for the NLHC have been investigated for connecting the HZMB to the existing road network. For the section of the alignment west of the airport, some options are not recommended in the light of the constraints of airport height restriction or adverse environmental impacts. Preliminary assessment reveals that the option in the form of a viaduct along the Airport Channel will have less environmental impacts than the other options. It will also be compatible with the preferred Hong Kong landing point of the HZMB at San Shek Wan. For the eastern section of the NLHC, various short-listed alignment options are now under evaluation. Key Issues During the public consultation on the Concept Plan, a number of concerns/comments were raised on the HZMB, in particular on the following aspects: (a) justification of the need; (b) impact on the air quality in Tung Chung due to the increase in vehicle traffic; (c) loss of marine habitats; (d) loss of natural coastline; (e) visual impacts; (f) traffic implication on existing road networks; and (g) alignment options and built forms for minimizing environmental impacts. The Way Forward An Investigation and Preliminary Design Study for the Hong Kong Section of HZMB and connection with NLH will address the possible environmental concerns and other relevant issues raised. The HZMB project will need to go through the relevant statutory procedures and proceed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation including those in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Ordinance. In accordance with the Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance and the EIA Ordinance, the public will have opportunities to offer their comments on the project in due course. No. Summary of Comments Raised By Responses General F1-1 The proposed HZMB is Undisclosed (7) Noted. supported as it helps Wong Fuk-kan, strengthen the economic Islands DC Member integration between Hong & Mui Wo RC Kong and Pearl River Delta Member (46) (334) (PRD). The bridge is a key Janet Law (190) element for the economic Dr Stephen S M Wong development of Hong Kong, (192) particularly in logistics and So Chi-ming (356) tourism developments. DAB (430) p.366 Annex 4 – F1 No. Summary of Comments Raised By Responses Lee Chi-fung, Tai O RC (PCF) F1-2 The proposed HZMB is not Dr Martin Williams supported on the following (118) grounds: Keith Russell (242) Wong Wai-king (302) Paul Aston (342) Cyrus Cheng (412) 50 Standard Letters B 1. There is no strong The need for the Bridge has been justification for the need established in the “Study on of the bridge. Transport Linkage between Hong Kong and Pearl River West” undertaken by the Institute of Comprehensive Transport (ICT) commissioned by the National Development and Reform Commission and HKSAR Government. The ICT report concluded that the construction of the HZMB will enhance the connection between Hong Kong and Pearl River West, Western Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan and the South-Western Areas. The HZMB can promote the socio-economic development of the region, reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international shipping and aviation centre, promote the development of regional tourism industries, and perfect the regional transport network. The report concluded that there is an urgent need for a transport link connecting Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao. 2. The living quality of Tung The HZMB project will need to go Chung would be further through all the relevant statutory degraded. procedures and proceed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation, including those in the EIA Ordinance. We will take into account any potential adverse environmental, landscape and visual impacts at Tung Chung in the development of the road alignment and in the EIA study under the on-going investigation and preliminary design study of the project. Annex 4 – F1 p.367 No. Summary of Comments Raised By Responses 3. The air quality of Tung The HZMB project will need to go Chung, which is already through all the relevant statutory subject to high pollution procedures and proceed strictly in level, would be even accordance with the provisions of worsened due to more the relevant legislation, including heavy vehicle flows those in the EIA Ordinance. We through the bridge. will take into account any potential adverse air quality impact at Tung Chung in the development of the road alignment and in the EIA study under the on-going investigation and preliminary design study of the project. 4. The bridge, with part of its The Hong Kong Section of the alignment running across HZMB and the NLHC are in line the seaward side of the with the planning vision and area proposed for concept for Lantau. The landing recreation facilities in the point of the bridge has been most Concept Plan for Lantau, carefully chosen to minimize the would adversely affect ecological and other the attractiveness and environmental impacts on Lantau quality of these proposed Island. The bridge would not waterfront developments. touch any land area of Lantau as it will span across the headland under our present proposal of landing the bridge at San Shek Wan. We will take account of the various land uses proposed in the Concept Plan in developing the design of the HZMB and the NLHC project. 5. The area where the When compared to Tuen Mun proposed alignment of West or South West Lantau, the HZMB is where the landing at North West Lantau Chinese White Dolphin should in fact result in less impact heavily recorded. The on the Chinese White Dolphins. HZMB development The possible impact on the would cause loss of the dolphins and any necessary habitat of the Chinese mitigation such as the use of White Dolphin.