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Chris Yeung

Peggy Sito

The Southeast Kowloon reclamation could be scaled down by almost half under new government proposals.

 The move, which follows widespread opposition to the $36 billion project announced last September, is revealed in a revised plan prepared by consultants for the Government.

 The study suggests a 46.2 per cent cut in reclaimed land to 161 hectares from 299.

 The original aim was to build a new city on a 579 hectare site, incorporating the former Kai Tak airport site.

 Among the possible changes are that the proposed park - the biggest in Hong Kong - would be built on existing land, instead of reclaimed land.

 Industrial and commercial space would be cut and the proposed population reduced from 320,000 to about 240,000.

 Also incorporated in the revised scheme is a possible cruise terminal amid controversy over tycoon Li Ka-shing's proposals to build one at North Point.

 The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Gordon Siu Kwing-chue, said the report did not represent a government decision, but a summary of mainstream opinions. He acknowledged most people thought the original project involved too much reclamation.

 More than 800 objections were received amid protests from environmentalists, legislators, architects, surveyors, town planners and developers.

 'It is the beginning of the hearing stage,' said Mr Siu.

 The Government would gather opinions on the new plan this month and a final decision will not be taken for some time.

 Legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai said the proposals were a tremendous victory.

 She said it was the 'single most successful issue' on which the Government had bowed to public pressure.

 'I'm very pleased that the Government redrawing has reduced reclamation to a minimum level.

 'It's never happened before that the Government has changed its mind within such a short period of time.'  The Citizens Party chairwoman attributed the move to a 'concerted and strong voice' from a wide range of groups telling the Government its plan was not feasible and giving more sensible proposals.

 Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong legislator Lau Kong-wah said the scaling down was a positive response to environmental concerns.

 'It's a good thing the Government listens. The revised plan meets the public demand.'  In March, the Government scaled down the Central reclamation by more than 40 per cent following public objections, cutting the proposed office development by 70 per cent.

 The Southeast Kowloon development had been seen as a key infrastructure project, which would create jobs and help boost the economy.

 Scaling it down could reduce the estimated 14,000 jobs to be created during the work and more than 90,000 following development.



Reclamation cut by half in new proposal