LCQ20: Reclamation project for Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands
*************************************************************
Question:
The Special Administrative Region Government has earlier on indicated that the Government would first concentrate its efforts on pressing ahead the development of the Northern Metropolis, while the pace to take forward the reclamation project for the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands (KYCAI project) could be slowed down. Nevertheless, the authorities would prudently complete the necessary preparatory work in the study stage. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that in the reply to a question raised by a Member of this Council on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2025-2026, the Government indicated that the Civil Engineering and Development Department was reviewing and fine-tuning the relevant background information and project description in the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the KYCAI project, and would make the report available for public inspection in a timely manner, of the latest progress of the relevant work;
(2) of the studies being undertaken by the Government on the KYCAI project which seek to ensure that the construction works of the project can be commenced swiftly at appropriate times in the future; and
(3) whether a development timetable has been drawn up for the KYCAI project at present; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Land production takes time, involving various aspects of planning and studies, as well as the implementation of various land and infrastructure projects. It is the Government's responsibility to plan ahead and lead land development with a long-term perspective, ensuring that adequate land is supplied in a timely manner to support Hong Kong's long-term economic development and people's livelihood needs. The Government is also keenly aware that land has to be rolled out in a gradual and pragmatic manner, taking into account a basket of factors, including, inter alia, the market economic conditions. Having carefully reviewed these factors, the Government publicly stated earlier this year that it will currently focus on developing the Northern Metropolis. The Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands (Kau Yi Chau) project, as another major land development project, is accorded a lower priority. However, the Government will continue with the studies already commenced on the Kau Yi Chau project.
The replies to the various parts of the question raised by Dr the Hon Lo Wai-kwok are as follows:
(1) The Kau Yi Chau project is currently in its early planning and study stage. The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) relating to the reclamation to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) on December 31 last year. Although the EPD subsequently informed the CEDD that the EIA Report was suitable for public inspection, given that the implementation programme of the Kau Yi Chau project has been slowed down and no specific arrangements have been made, the Development Bureau, after reviewing the situation, considers it inappropriate to proceed with the relevant statutory EIA procedures (including public inspection, submission of the EIA Report to the Advisory Council on the Environment, and consideration by the Director of Environmental Protection for the approval of the EIA Report) at this stage. Proceeding with the above procedures without a target reclamation timetable could hinder focused discussion and arouse public concerns about the relevance of the approval results after a period of time. To avoid unnecessary public speculation and debate on the Kau Yi Chau project, we recommend adopting a more prudent arrangement. This involves waiting until the implementation timetable for the reclamation works is mostly ascertained and the EIA Report is updated as needed before submitting the EIA Report to the EPD, as well as exhibiting it for public inspection and seeking approval.
(2) The Kau Yi Chau project is a source of long-term land supply. Therefore, although there is no concrete timetable for its implementation, the analysis and information obtained from the ongoing studies are particularly crucial for the future implementation of the project. Such information remains applicable and retains significant reference value, which will help expedite the commencement of the Kau Yi Chau project when conditions permit. Currently, the Government will continue to complete the ongoing studies, including ground investigation, preliminary design of reclamation and major transportation infrastructure, and technical assessments related to land development. Even after these studies are completed, further studies, particularly detailed engineering design, will be required before progressing to the reclamation phase. However, the studies already undertaken form a good basis for us to commence other necessary preparatory work at the appropriate time.
(3) In view of the situation mentioned above, the Government has not yet formulated a timetable for the implementation of the Kau Yi Chau project. In fact, we do not have the necessary conditions for the reclamation project to be carried out within this term of Government.
Ends/Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 13:08
Issued at HKT 13:08
NNNN