Planning body opposes anti-reclamation bill
A proposal by harbour preservationists to block further reclamation unless approved by Legislative Council will aggravate the housing shortage, a town planning body says.
The Hong Kong Civic Design Association said the proposed Protection of the Harbour Bill, if made law, would hold up reclamations on the premise that any development in the harbour would automatically have a detrimental effect and undermine the territory's natural heritage.
'At risk will be long-standing proposals for reclamation that should make a major contribution towards meeting the rapidly escalating housing needs of Hong Kong,' it said.
The proposed bill also would affect the restructuring of obsolete parts of the territory and was threatening much-needed infrastructure works, especially the provision of new highways and passenger railways.
The bill would leave open the question of how its aims would be realised in a rational way and without creating conflict with the Town Planning Board and other organs of the Government.
