LCQ2: Improving harbourfront facilities in Hong Kong Island East
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Question:
Given that it has all along been the Government's objective to link up and enrich the harbourfront development on both sides of Victoria Harbour, regarding the enhancement of the harbourfront sections in Quarry Bay, Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan (such sections), will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the authorities have undertaken any works projects or studies to upgrade the facilities and optimise the design of such sections, as well as to improve the accessibility between the harbourfront and the surrounding areas over the past five years; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) given that the Government has undertaken to implement the open management mode of "Harbourfront Shared Space" in more harbourfront sites, whether the authorities have plans to optimise such sections so as to provide additional harbourfront shared space, and to extend the harbourfront concept of fostering a water-friendly culture further eastwards from the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point to such sections; and
(3) given that such sections are in close proximity to a number of harbourfront attractions with development potentials in Hong Kong Island East, including SoHo East in Sai Wan Ho, the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and the Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter, etc, whether the authorities will, by drawing on the successful experience of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point, further extend the East Coast Boardwalk to the Shau Kei Wan area, so as to promote the attractions along the route, invigorate the local economy and enable more members of the public and tourists to enjoy higher-quality harbourfront facilities?
Reply:
President,
Following the full opening of the East Coast Boardwalk, the approximately 13-kilometre long harbourfront on Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan has been connected. Regarding the harbourfront section from Quarry Bay through Sai Wan Ho to Shau Kei Wan as mentioned by the Hon Elaine Chik, which forms the easternmost part of this 13-kilometre stretch and spans about 2.5 kilometres long, it has been fully connected and is situated adjacent to residential areas, linking various public and private housing estates along the waterfront. The waterfront section also provides access to multiple waterfront parks, which were developed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) in earlier years and have since been managed by the department, with facilities therein primarily serving local residents.
In consultation with the relevant bureaux and departments, the reply to various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) As the approximately 2.5-kilometre harbourfront section from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan has been connected, we are planning to take forward various enhancement projects under the "incremental approach" as follows:
(i) Enhancement works for Hoi Yu Street, Quarry Bay: We are enhancing the East Coast Boardwalk and its adjacent facilities, including modifying the road alignment of Hoi Yu Street at the eastern entrance/exit of the Boardwalk to widen the pedestrian passage, adding toilets and shower facilities, and introducing more vending machines thereat. These works are expected to be completed by mid-2026, which will further enhance the connectivity and supporting facilities;
(ii) Enhancement works for the promenade at Hoi Yu Street, Quarry Bay: We plan to relocate the temporary car park currently at Hoi Yu Street to the adjacent site at Hoi Shin Lane by mid-2027 to free up more harbourfront spaces. Thereafter, we will carry out basic enhancement works at the original site of the temporary car park at Hoi Yu Street and relocate the pet garden currently in Quarry Bay Promenade to the site at Hoi Yu Street. Upon vacating the space after relocation, the public will be able to enjoy the harbourfront parts in Quarry Bay Promenade more seamlessly; and
(iii) Improvement works on connectivity in the Shau Kei Wan waterfront area: For the existing pedestrian connectivity between the Aldrich Bay Promenade and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence, we plan to widen the footpath at Tam Kung Temple Road near A Kung Ngam Shipyards and improve the pedestrian crossing within 2027, thereby enhancing accessibility and the walking environment.
(2) Regarding the Harbourfront Shared Space, it is an innovative design and management model introduced by the Development Bureau and the Harbourfront Commission in recent years for seven newly opened harbourfront sites. To become shared spaces, implementation begins with design, whereby play facilities and other installations inside these spaces such as seating are primarily movable, allowing users to freely arrange them according to their needs and create a space of their own. In shared spaces, we also minimise management rules and restrictions, encouraging members of the public to enjoy the harbourfront in their own ways with mutual respect and inclusiveness.
As the waterfront public open spaces from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan currently managed by the LCSD, with facilities primarily serving local residents, were developed in earlier years, most of these spaces are equipped with fixed children’s play equipment or elderly fitness facilities, and the existing space constraints may not allow for different activities to take place simultaneously. In view of the above, we have no plans at this stage to change the function of the existing parks or to add new shared spaces along this section of the harbourfront. However, the LCSD has enhanced the park facilities in this area in recent years to continuously meet the needs of users, including the upgraded public play space at Quarry Bay Park completed last year, which adopted Ocean Adventure as the design concept based on public opinions, providing various inclusive play facilities making the new play space more creative and fun. Additionally, to allow the public and pets to better enjoy the waterfront together, the LCSD has designated a specific area at the North Point Promenade and Quarry Bay Park Phase II as Inclusive Park for Pets, enabling pets to share space with other users within designated areas.
(3) As I mentioned at the beginning, the harbourfront section from Quarry Bay to Shau Kei Wan has been connected and linked up with the East Coast Boardwalk, thereby forming a seamless extension of the Boardwalk. There are definitely a number of attractions worth promoting in this area, including the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence. In addition to improving pedestrian connectivity in the harbourfront along Shau Kei Wan as mentioned above, we will also study how to connect Shau Kei Wan to Heng Fa Tsuen, which is rather difficult to connect, under the Round-the-Island Trail project, hoping to link better the Museum with nearby attractions. We will strive to substantially complete the connection works by end-2031. In terms of promotion, the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have installed directional signs in the Eastern District to guide visitors to major attractions such as Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan and Hong Kong Film Archive.
These multi-pronged measures will bring more footfall and business opportunities to the eastern part of the harbourfront on Hong Kong Island. In taking forward the Round-the-Island Trail or enhancing the harbourfront, we will continue to adopt the approach of "tackling the simple issues first before the difficult ones" as well as the "incremental approach", and make good use of harbourfront resources to create a more attractive and vibrant harbourfront for both the public and visitors.
Ends/Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:26
Issued at HKT 16:26
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