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A Government spokesman said today (November 4) that the Government had conducted a series of consultations, studies and research works on the Lung Mei Beach works project according to established procedures and the project will be implemented as planned.
The Tai Po District Council (DC) proposed the building of a beach at Lung Mei in 2000. The Special Administrative Region Government then conducted a series of consultations, studies and research works according to established procedures. In addition to consulting various sectors, including green groups, on the works project, consultations were also held according to statutory procedures with the Advisory Council on the Environment, the Town Planning Board, the Panel on Home Affairs, the Public Works Subcommittee and the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council. The views collected in this process were submitted by the Government to the above-mentioned parties for consideration and all sectors were given ample opportunity to express their views. The Government has always given due respect to these statutory procedures as well as to the conscientious decisions made by relevant authorities.
Furthermore, the Tai Po DC has all along been supporting the Lung Mei Beach works project. It endorsed a motion at a meeting last Thursday (November 1) to support the Government's implementation of the Ting Kok Coastal Conservation Plan, requesting a swift implementation of the Lung Mei Beach works project as well as seeking to enhance the coastal conservation at Ting Kok.
The Government believes that development and conservation could go hand-in-hand. Construction of the Lung Mei Beach and the simultaneous launch of the Ting Kok Coastal Conservation Plan to enhance conservation of the coastline there is seen as a win-win solution to meet local demands and promote community development, while also conserving ecology in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. The departments concerned will adopt mitigation measures during construction to minimise any impact on the marine ecology.
In addition, the Government is putting in place a new sewage network at Lung Mei and its vicinity and this is making good progress. The water quality has shown marked improvement lately. The Government is confident that upon the opening of the Lung Mei Beach in 2015, the water quality will be up to the required standard for swimming.
The Government will continue to communicate with various sectors of the community including green groups.
Ends/Sunday, November 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:31
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