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LCQ18: Ngong Ping development project

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Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (November 13):

Question :

To develop tourism, the Administration is planning to carry out a development project at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island but the Po Lin Monastery has recently expressed dissatisfaction with the project. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) of the number of discussions the Administration has held with the Monastery over the issue, with a view to striking a balance between the need to "protect religious culture" and the need to "develop Ngong Ping";

(b) of the respective proposals put forward by the Monastery which the Administration has accepted and rejected in the course of the discussions, and the reasons for rejecting some proposals;

(c) whether the Ngong Ping development project has been drawn up on the principle of sustainable development and preservation of the unique local culture and tradition; and

(d) whether, following the discussion on 24 October with the Monastery, the Administration will modify the contents of the Ngong Ping development project; if so, of the details of and reasons for the modifications?

Reply :

Madam President,

(a) In planning for the development at Ngong Ping on Lantau, the Government has maintained dialogues with relevant bodies and local organizations, including the Islands District Council, relevant rural committee and the Po Lin Monastery (the Monastery). Representatives of different government bureaux and departments have met with the representatives of the Monastery on various issues on no less than ten occasions. We will continue our dialogues with the relevant organisations. When we developed the relevant plans, including the development framework for the cable car system and the development of tourist and complementary facilities at Ngong Ping, we have taken into account the views expressed. The draft Ngong Ping Outline Zoning Plan (the draft OZP) consolidates these proposals and views and will provide the statutory basis to define the overall land use planning for the area. The development concept aims to preserve the natural and tranquil environment of the area and its religious setting. According to the requirements of the draft OZP, there are stringent restrictions on matters such as land use, development density and building height. The Monastery's concerns include the management of the proposed piazza in front of the Monastery, access to the Monastery and the proposed emergency vehicular access.

(b) In the process of preparing the draft OZP by the Planning Department, the Monastery had submitted comments on various proposals. After considering these views, the Government had made amendments to certain proposals in the draft OZP, before seeking the Town Planning Board's (TPB) formal approval to gazette the draft OZP for public inspection. These include the permitted height for a proposed new building within the Monastery, the planning for the proposed Tourist Corridor, and changing the proposed zoning of a site from "Holiday Resort" use to "Recreation" use.

During the public inspection period of the draft OZP, the Monastery formally submitted an objection to TPB. In accordance with the established procedures, the TPB will hear all objections in the next two months before coming to a decision.

(c) In promoting tourism development at Ngong Ping and the cable car project, the Government acknowledges the need to preserve the cultural heritage of the area and to ensure that developments meet the objective of sustainable development. The principle observed is that the location and design of developments and facilities will not affect the natural environment and religious setting of the area. Developments, apart from having to meet relevant statutory requirements, must complement the environment of the area in matters such as land use, development density and building height.

(d) Representatives of the Government met with representatives of the Monastery on October 24, 2002 to listen to their views on the draft OZP. The two sides have agreed to maintain a dialogue on questions like management of the proposed piazza in front of the Monastery, access to the Monastery and emergency vehicular access.

End/Wednesday, November 13, 2002

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