LCQ6: Provision of campsites
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Question:
It is learnt that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, camping has become a holiday leisure activity for many members of the public. However, campsites under the Government have not yet been reopened after having been closed for more than two years, and private campsites are limited in number. As a result, many camping enthusiasts have to go camping in non-country park sites, or even engage in illegal camping within country parks. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the quarterly numbers of warnings issued and prosecutions instituted, in each of the past five years and since January this year, by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department with regard to illegal camping;
(2) given that while the social distancing measures for catering premises, beaches, bars and certain places of entertainment have been relaxed, the campsites under the Government remain closed, of the reasons for that (including whether camping has been assessed as posing a higher risk of spreading the epidemic), and whether it has a timetable for reopening such campsites; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(3) whether, in the past five years, the Government conducted studies on developing new campsites (including sites for glamping and car camping) and enhancing facilities in existing campsites?
Reply:
President,
At present, there are a total of 41 designated campsites in country parks in Hong Kong managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) also manages the Pui O Campsite on Lantau Island. In light of the COVID-19 epidemic situation, under the Government's overall anti-epidemic measures, these campsites remain closed for the time being.
Having consulted the Health Bureau and the LCSD, my consolidated reply to the three parts of the question raised by the Hon Chan Han-pan is as follows:
(1) According to the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations (Cap. 208A), no person shall camp or erect tent outside designated campsites in country parks and special areas. AFCD's staffs would take appropriate enforcement actions, if there are illegal camping activities found in country parks during their patrols.
During 2017 to 2021, AFCD issued a total of 353 warnings against illegal camping activities whereas the prosecution figure was 266. During the first three quarters this year, the warning and prosecution figures were 146 and 182 respectively. The detailed figures of warning and prosecution against illegal camping made by AFCD in each quarter during the past five years and the first three quarters in 2022 are also set out at Annex.
(2) Under the principles of science-based and targeted anti-epidemic measures, as well as the proper management of risks and citizen-focused facilitation, the Government differentiates people into different risk levels precisely and scientifically for proper control and, on the premise of management, allow the maximum degree of daily activities and participants involved, with a view to striking a balance among risks and economic impetus.
Considering the above, while the epidemic situation in Hong Kong remains relatively stable and the numbers of severe cases and deaths have not recorded a marked increase amid the emergence of new mutant strains, the Government has recently implemented a series of relaxation of social distancing measures, including reopening of barbecue sites managed by the Government (including barbecue sites within country parks under AFCD) from November 3.
The Government emphasises that we must adopt a prudent and orderly approach in relaxing various anti-epidemic measures, so as to avert a rebound of the epidemic situation and backtracking along the path to normalcy.
The Government will continue to closely monitor the latest development of the epidemic situation as well as review and adjust social distancing measures including the closure of campsites in country parks, with a view to allowing more extensive daily activities with a higher number of participants on the premise of protection of public health, so as to allow citizens' livelihood to resume to normalcy in an orderly manner.
(3) AFCD is committed to enhancing the recreational facilities and ancillary facilities in country parks. In this regard, the utilisation rate of campsites in country parks is being reviewed from time to time together with the needs of country park visitors and the actual situation of individual locations being taken into account for improvement of the campsite facilities in a timely manner, with a view to meeting the public's growing demand for countryside recreational activities. Campsite improvement works conducted in the past five years include (i) expansion of Chung Pui Campsite (located in Pat Sin Leng Country Park) and Sai Kung Wong Shek Campsite (located in Sai Kung East Country Park) in 2017 and 2021 respectively; (ii) provision of new camping platforms at Nam Shan Campsite (located in Lantau South Country Park) and Shek Pik Campsite (located in Lantau South Country Park) in 2020, as well as at Lantau Ngong Ping Campsite (located in Lantau South Country Park) in 2022 respectively; and (iii) replacing the dry toilets with solar powered toilets at Tung Lung Chau Campsite (located in the Tung Lung Chau Fortress Special Area), Ma On Shan Ngong Ping Campsite (located in Ma On Shan Country Park) and Lau Shui Heung Campsite (located in Pat Sin Leng Country Park) in 2021 and 2022 to improve the ventilation and lighting of these facilities.
In addition, AFCD is preparing to introduce an advance booking system pilot scheme (pilot scheme) at Twisk Campsite (located in Tai Lam Country Park) by setting up a computer system for the campsite to facilitate campers to book camping units and facilities online. At the same time, the facilities of these campsites, such as camping platforms, benches and barbecue pits are improved to enhance camping experience. The AFCD will collect the public's opinions through the pilot scheme, for the purpose of reviewing the implementation status of the pilot scheme and also making adjustments to the campsite operation and facilities, as well as the arrangement of the booking system, according to the actual situation.
The Government announced in the 2021 Budget that $500 million was earmarked for carrying out various enhancement works on the facilities in some of the country parks. The AFCD will commission a consultancy study within this year on the feasibility of setting up glamping facilities in country parks, with a view to determining the site locations, design, mode of operation, fee level and operation requirements, etc. The consultant will carry out detailed studies at potential sites, including Tai Tong (Yuen Long), Tai Mong Tsai (Sai Kung) and Rotary Park (Tai Mo Shan), and will take into consideration the geographical and environmental settings and other ancillary facilities of these sites, so as to ensure that the operation of the relevant facilities will not pose long-term adverse impacts on the environment or exceed the carrying capacity of the country parks. The enhancement works for the facilities will be implemented in stages in accordance with the outcomes and recommendations of the study. The AFCD will conduct public engagement activities to collect views from the public and relevant stakeholders during the course of the study.
As regards the Pui O Campsite managed by the LCSD, the LCSD will carry out enhancement works to strengthen the lighting system of the campsite in late November this year. In addition, the lighting system will be powered by solar energy to enhance the protection to the environment. Moreover, the refurbishment works on the toilet block adjacent to the Pui O Campsite was completed in April last year and the sanitary facilities have been renovated by adding universal toilet, babycare room and family-friendly facility, further enhancing the facilities for the convenience of campers.
Thank you, President.
Ends/Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Issued at HKT 14:35
Issued at HKT 14:35
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