Social Services, Labour and Economic Affairs Committee, North District Council Paper No. 33/09 Study on the Enhancement of the Sha Tau Kok Rural Township and Surrounding Areas Stage 1 Community Engagement PURPOSE 1. The purpose of this paper is to seek Members’ views on the vision and aspiration for the enhancement of the Sha Tau Kok (STK) rural township and its surrounding areas. A copy of the Stage 1 Community Engagement Digest is attached at Appendix 1. BACKGROUND 2. Rural townships are recognised as an important heritage of Hong Kong as they are among the earliest settlements in the territory. STK Town, being located within the Frontier Closed Area is unique as compared with other rural townships in the New Territories. The tranquility and the rural setting of STK Town and its surrounding areas have been well retained over the years. It would provide a good opportunity for promoting eco-tourism and cultural tourism. 3. In April 2009, the Planning Department (PlanD) commissioned Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd. to conduct the Study. The Study aims to formulate an Integrated Area Improvement Plan, setting out comprehensive improvement proposals to enhance the physical environment of STK Town and its surrounding areas. The Study will also assess the tourism potential of the area, taking into account the Frontier Closed Area status, and examine the possibility of enhancing the connection of STK Town with other possible tourist attractions in the North East New Territories. THE STUDY 4. The Study comprises two areas, i.e. the Study Area and Linkage Area (Please refer to the Stage 1 Community Engagement Digest, Pages 9 to 16): a) The Study Area, basically covering the STK Town proper, has a total land area of about 33 ha. It is bounded by STK River to its north-east, Chung Ying Street and San Lau Street to its east, the waterfront to its south, the STK Sewerage Treatment Works to its west, Sha Ho Road and STK Control Point to its north-west. A small boat shelter anchorage is also included in the Study Area; and b) the Linkage Area has a total land area of about 305 ha. It covers the east coasts and some outer islands in the Northern New Territories which have potential tourism linkages with the Study Area, including Fung Hang, Kuk Po, Yung Shue Au, So Lo Pun, Lai Chi Wo, Sam A Tsuen, Ap Chau and Kat O. 5. The Consultants have completed the baseline review of the Study Area and Linkage Area in which key issues, constraints and opportunities for enhancement were identified. 6. According to the Study programme, it is now scheduled to carry out the Stage 1 Community Engagement. Through the engagement exercise, we would collect the visions and aspirations of the community for the future enhancement of the Study Area and Linkage Area, and this would form a basis for formulating the conceptual enhancement proposals and the Integrated Area Improvement Plan. KEY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFIED 7. The key issues and opportunities identified in the Study are summarised as follows: a) Tourism Potential i. Tourist Gateway – Although the Study Area is located within the Frontier Closed Area, it can become the access point for tourists to the nearby outer islands and country park/marine park with appropriate public access. Taking advantage of the STK Public Pier as well as its proximity to and close historical relationship with the villages in the Linkage Area, the opportunity to develop the Study Area to be a tourist gateway could be further explored. ii. Adequacy and Improvement of Tourist Attractions – The Study Area and Linkage Area are rich in natural heritage and Hakka cultural resources. Being surrounded by the scenic natural setting, these areas possess potential to be an attractive eco/cultural tourism destination for tour groups, families and keen hikers by improving tourist supporting facilities, such as information panels and public toilets. iii. Integration of Dispersed Tourist Attractions – Lai Chi Wo and outlying islands of Kat O and Ap Chau are popular scenic spots scattered in the Linkage Area. Since vehicular road connection is not available in the Linkage Area, access to these spots is either via long hiking trails from Luk Keng/Wu Kau Tang or sea routes from Wong Shek/Ma Liu Shui Public Pier. The provision of ferry services from STK Town to the Linkage Area would enhance accessibility to the existing tourist spots and facilitate their integration with potential tourist attractions in the Linkage Area. b) Conserving Natural and Cultural Heritage Resources The Study Area and Linkage Area are full of natural and cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible) resources. The opportunity to promote eco-tourism and cultural tourism in these areas would be explored. It is crucial to note that these resources are of high conservation value. Any enhancement proposals need to be carefully planned to take into account the sensitivity of the natural and cultural environment, in order to minimise any adverse impacts on the natural environment and cultural heritage. c) Rationalising the Land Uses Five vacant Government sites and an old fire station are located in the Study Area. These vacant sites may provide potential spaces for land use restructuring and other enhancement proposals. Adaptive re-use of the old fire station into new attractions would be investigated. d) Adequacy of Community/Supporting Facilities/Services Improvement of public transport services and cycle parking would be examined to enhance the STK township environment. To cater for possible increase in number of visitors, tourist supporting facilities have to be enhanced, such as pier facilities, coach/car parking facilities, public toilets, information panels, signage, etc. Local initiatives in providing visitor centre and eating place, etc. through adaptive re-use of vacant village houses and schools would be explored. STAGE 1 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME 8. There is a two-stage community engagement programme to allow early public participation in the study process and facilitate building general consensus on the study proposals. According to the study programme, the two-month Stage 1 Community Engagement is scheduled to be commenced on 19 October 2009. To facilitate the engagement, the Stage One Community Engagement Digest (Appendix 1) covering the Study’s background and objective and a brief account of the key issues and opportunities would be released to the public for general reference. Briefing sessions to the relevant statutory and advisory boards/committees, such as Town Planning Board, Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, non-government organisations, etc., would be arranged. Meetings and interviews would also be held with stakeholders, trade associations, green groups, eco-tourism operators, local residents/villagers, etc. to enable more focused discussion on key issues. 9. A Community Engagement Forum was organised in Luen Wo Hui Community Hall on 31 October 2009 and an exhibition to display the relevant information has also been arranged in Sha Tau Kok Town during the community engagement period. Relevant publicity and consultation materials as well as the latest community engagement events have been uploaded to the Study webpage in the PlanD’s Homepage to allow public access to information about the Study. ADVICE SOUGHT 10. Members are invited to offer your views on the vision and aspiration for the enhancement of the STK rural township and its surrounding areas. ATTACHMENT Appendix 1 Stage 1 Community Engagement Digest .