We have paid a high price for our new airport - not only in terms of money but in terms of environmental damage and ecological loss.
The construction of Chek Lap Kok has disturbed the ecosystem.
The spotlight has been on the Chinese white dolphins, or pinkies. The dredging, dumping (including sewage discharge) and underwater blasting during the construction was disruptive for these lovely and intelligent pinkies. The plight of this endangered species has been made even worse by the fact that temporary aviation fuel-receiving facilities at Sha Chau are located in their habitat.
The Government has said it will protect them with a marine park. However, as long as the fuel-receiving facilities are at Sha Chau, the park will also be a thoroughfare for sea traffic and oil tankers destined to supply the aircraft at Chek Lap Kok - not exactly the makings of an idyllic and tranquil sanctuary. The residents of Kowloon City may be sleeping soundly for the first time in decades, but the poor dolphins will have to wait a good while longer to finally get the peace they deserve.
The Airport Authority has said it is having difficulty finding a permanent site for the fuelling facility.
Why didn't it do some forward planning? It is not only the dolphins which are suffering from the new airport.
