Insensitive plan must be abandoned
In response to the letter by Gary Knight on the proposed reclamation in Yung Shue Wan (' 'Beautiful' coastline was rat-infested dump', South China Morning Post, July 29), I would like to explain the motives behind the campaign to save Lamma's coastline.
Mr Knight is right that the waterfront of Yung Shue Wan is not a pristine environment. Most residents would support efforts to improve its condition. However, the government's proposal to reclaim the harbour by filling it in with more concrete and a uniform seawall is an overly simplistic approach which will only detract from Lamma's attractiveness.
In a survey completed by more than 1,000 Lamma residents and tourists, over 95 per cent indicated their opposition to the plan and 35 businesses have signed a petition against the proposal. Clearly the community is against the reclamation project and this is why the Save Lamma Campaign is asking the government to re-think its well-intentioned, but flawed, development efforts.
We are not trying to stop the island from developing. We want an insensitive and wasteful plan abandoned and replaced by a more thoughtful small-scale development that would enhance Yung Shue Wan's uniqueness. This might include, for example, a simple waterfront boardwalk to increase access to the water and reduce traffic congestion, and making better use of existing village areas.
Mr Knight said all the 'eco-warriors' were mostly 'transitory Westerners', who in his opinion should leave the decision on Lamma's future to the Chinese residents.
In fact, 70 per cent of our group members are local Chinese and all but one are permanent residents.
In order to make Hong Kong a better place to live, we believe it is necessary to encourage more public debate on development issues. As seen in other cities, the best way to generate creative solutions is to engage the community in an open and constructive manner.
CECILIA CHU
The Save Lamma Campaign
