LCQ6: Development of Kowloon East waterfront
********************************************
Question:
"Co-using water body" is a key measure for the diversified development of the Second Central Business District in Kowloon East. However, it is learnt that some organisations face restrictions in setting up facilities such as spectator stands, beach rafts, landing ramps and steps (ancillary facilities) when organising water sports activities in the waters of the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS), making it difficult to organise activities on an ongoing basis and conduct regular training. Furthermore, the lack of systematic management of the large number of vessels that have long been berthed at the KTTS also limits the room for the development of water sports activities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) given that the existing legislation enables the Government to carry out specified harbour enhancement works through streamlined procedures, whether the Government has plans to construct additional ancillary facilities along the shore of the KTTS to facilitate the organisation of water sports activities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it will review afresh the functions and positioning of the KTTS and, by taking the opportunity arising from the planning of the Yau Tong Bay Comprehensive Development Area, study the construction of a breakwater in Yau Tong Bay to relocate the yachts from the typhoon shelter there for berthing, as well as setting up a yacht club to manage them centrally, so as to promote the development of the yacht economy; and
(3) given that, according to the information on the web page of the Energizing Kowloon East Office, the Government is studying the construction of a bridge linking between the former Kai Tak runway and the Kwun Tong promenade, of the progress of the study and the proposed completion date for the bridge?
Reply:
President,
In response to the Hon Tang Ka-piu's question, after consulting the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and the Marine Department (MD), the Development Bureau's corresponding replies are as follows:
(1) The north shore of the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS) is the Kwun Tong Promenade while the south shore is the Kai Tak Promenade. To support various water activities at the typhoon shelter and to facilitate public viewing, a wooden boardwalk of about one kilometre in length is provided along the waterfront of the Kwun Tong Promenade. Besides, a performance stage and two spectator seating areas facing the typhoon shelter, each accommodating about 200 people, are also provided. The Kai Tak Promenade features glass balustrades along the waterfront for the public to view water activities/sports events. The Kai Tak Promenade also provides restrooms with shower facilities to facilitate public use and organisations’ hosting of water activities.
In terms of landing facilities, there are two existing sets of landing facilities within the KTTS. In addition, as part of the Kowloon Godown redevelopment project on the other end, an additional set of landing steps will be constructed for public use in accordance with the relevant planning requirement and these facilities are expected to be completed by 2028. Furthermore, there are five glass gates along the edge of the Kwun Tong Promenade which are connectable to floating platforms to facilitate embarking and disembarking of participants during water activities. Water sports organisations, including the three water sports training centres (Note) at waterfront sites around the KTTS, can also apply for installing facilities according to their needs. For example, a floating platform has been installed by the Hong Kong Water Sports Council located at the Kai Tak Promenade after approval. The other two training centres also propose to install floating platforms for daily training purpose. The relevant departments are communicating with the groups on construction of additional facilities and providing facilitation.
(2) According to the TLB and the MD, the KTTS continues to perform its function by providing mooring facilities for local vessels, particularly as a safe refuge during inclement weather conditions. A large number of vessels are berthing in the KTTS both daily and during typhoon periods. To promote safe water body co-use between vessels and water recreational activities in the KTTS during non-typhoon days, the MD and the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) have promulgated the Guidelines for Co-using Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter which outlines some important points that vessels should observe when using the typhoon shelter. The MD has widened the passageway along the north shore of the KTTS from 50 metres to 100 m in 2018 to release more space to facilitate water recreational activities. With the increasing number of water activities in the KTTS and proposed major sports events to be staged in the KTTS in future, the MD and the EKEO are currently exploring an enhanced water body co-use proposal and are gathering views from the stakeholders. We strive to conduct consultation with the Kwun Tong District Council and other relevant groups tentatively in the fourth quarter of this year.
As for Yau Tong Bay, the land adjacent to its water body is mostly under private ownership and planned as comprehensive development zone to facilitate redevelopment for residential and/or commercial uses. The planned land use include waterfront promenade but the provision of yacht berthing facility is not specified. However, the Government is open to proposals of yacht club development in Yau Tong Bay area, and landowners can develop yacht berthing-related landside facilities at specific locations within the relevant area through planning application. Currently, the Government plans to promote yacht tourism at three locations, namely the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter expansion area, the ex-Lamma Quarry area and the Hung Hom station waterfront area and will dispose the lands, together with the adjacent water bodies, through open tender to allow private enterprises to construct and operate the yacht berthing facilities under commercial mechanism. Additionally, the development of the yacht bay at the Airport City will provide additional berths, for which the Hong Kong Airport Authority is currently inviting expressions of interest.
(3) The Government is studying the construction of a bridge across the KTTS to provide a direct linkage between the former Kai Tak runway area and Kwun Tong, thereby improving the external transportation connectivity of the former runway area. Originally, the Government proposed to construct a pedestrian and cyclist bridge across the KTTS. In view of the public comments received, the study will include the option of adding vehicular lanes. The relevant study is assessing the feasibility of different options and conducting technical assessments. Amongst others, the study will take into consideration the latest planning situation and transportation infrastructure of the Kai Tak Development Area and examine whether the scale of the expanded bridge accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and general vehicular traffic at the same time would have any impact on water-based recreational activities in the KTTS. We will consult relevant stakeholders at an appropriate time once the proposals are formulated.
Note: With the policy support of the then Home Affairs Bureau, the Hong Kong China Canoe Union, the Hong Kong Water Sports Council and the Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association established water sports training centres at the Kai Tak and Kwun Tong waterfront.
Ends/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:40
Issued at HKT 17:40
NNNN