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Following is a question by the Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (February 26):
Question:
In 2000, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) took over the Kwai Chung Park development project to develop the restored landfill site of 27 hectares (ha) in the Park. However, except for the international BMX park developed on a platform of about four ha in the Park by the Hong Kong Cycling Association which was opened in 2009, the remaining 23 ha of land have so far been left idle without any facility open for use by the public. It has been reported that LCSD had completed the preliminary studies on the use of the Park at the end of last year, which proposed to build sports facilities such as cricket ground, football pitch and golf driving range, etc. in the Park. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the specific expenditure incurred in the past five years in handling landfill gas and in maintaining and managing the facilities in Kwai Chung Park;
(2) of the specific reasons for the absence of recreational, sports or sitting-out facilities in most part of Kwai Chung Park over the years; whether the authorities have, since 2000, considered changing the land use of the Park and taken any measure to expedite the construction of such facilities in the Park; if they have, of the details;
(3) when LCSD commenced the aforesaid studies, and whether it has consulted the residents in the district concerned on the land use of Kwai Chung Park; if it has, of the details; and
(4) of the estimated expenditure on the aforesaid sports facilities intended to be built in Kwai Chung Park, and the respective dates of commencement and completion of the works concerned?
Reply:
President,
(1) The former Kwai Chung Park (the Park) was located at the Gin Drinkers Bay Landfill (the Landfill). In March 1999, the Landfill (including the Park which had not been opened to the public) was handed over to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for landfill restoration work, which included installing landfill gas and leachate collection and treatment systems, capping layers, stormwater drainage system, slope stabilisation and beautification works.
Since the completion and start of operation of the restoration facilities in September 2000, EPD has carried out landfill aftercare work and monitored landfill gas and leachate levels to ensure proper operation of the restoration facilities. The restoration and aftercare work for the Landfill and three other landfills located in the North West New Territories (at Siu Lang Shui, Ma Tso Lung and Ngau Tam Mei) are covered by the same contract. The aftercare work under the contract has cost on average around $16.3 million annually in operational costs (Note) over the past five years.
Note: The contract does not provide cost breakdowns for the maintenance and management of the landfill gas and related facilities at the Landfill.
(2) and (3) Upon completion of EPD's restoration of the Landfill in September 2000, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) took over the development of the site, and considered various development options, such as the construction of recreational facilities and the development of facilities by "national sports associations" (NSAs). However, none of these options were taken forward due to site constraints and the financial position of the NSAs.
Excluding the site of the Hong Kong Jockey Club International BMX Park developed by the Hong Kong Cycling Association in October 2009 at the lower platform (about 4 hectares) of the Landfill, about 20 hectares of land are available for development. Technical issues related to the development works require special attention. For example, no large structures can be built on the site to avoid excessive loading on the capping system and any adverse effect on the restoration facilities of the Landfill. In addition, any recreational and sports facilities to be provided should not inhibit the routine aftercare work carried out by the contractor. Protective measures against landfill gas hazard should also be adopted.
On February 26, 2013, LCSD further consulted the District Facilities Management Committee (DFMC) of the Kwai Tsing District Council (DC) on the development of the site. Members suggested that LCSD should explore the feasibility of developing a cycling park, a cricket ground, a venue for dragon and lion dances, a dog garden, an environmental education centre and a youth hostel. At subsequent meetings of the Recreation and Culture Committee of the Kwai Tsing DC on June 6, 2013 and the DFMC on June 18, 2013, the LCSD consulted Members again on the above proposal. Preliminary consent was given by Members for the development of a cricket ground, a football pitch and a golf driving range on the site. Following up on Members' comments, the LCSD consulted the DFMC again on December 17, 2013 on the specific use of the site. The DFMC gave consent to the development of a natural turf cricket and football pitch, a golf driving range, a landscaped garden, a jogging trail, a fitness corner, a children's playground, a community garden and a dog garden on the site. On this basis, LCSD will start planning work, and will in this year engage the Architectural Services Department to conduct a study to ascertain the technical feasibility of building the proposed facilities on the restored landfill site. LCSD will further consult the Kwai Tsing DC and local residents when a more concrete development plan is available.
(4) Since the technical feasibility study on the development of the proposed recreational facilities on the site of the Park has yet to be conducted, no firm work plan is available at this stage.
Ends/Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:15
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