Officials should consider all options before filling in Victoria Harbour to get more land, according to a new law, or any decision could be challenged in court. The Protection of the Harbour Bill, moved by Christine Loh Kung-wai of the Citizens Party and passed by 29 votes to 22, said the harbour was part of the natural heritage. Ms Loh said reclamation had damaged the harbour and further moves should be checked. 'The reclamation work underway will make the harbour only 860 metres apart at the narrowest point. Such a geographical change cannot be reverted.' But the Democrats managed to move an amendment to limit the restriction to the central harbour between North Point and West Harbour Tunnel. 'In view of the huge housing needs in the urban area, we don't want to restrict development in areas far from the central harbour,' said Democrat Albert Chan Wai-yip.
