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SCMP Reporter

HUNDREDS of elderly residents have vowed to take on property giant Swire on Tuesday in a dispute over a podium in Quarry Bay.

The residents, in their 80s and 90s, last week staged a sit-down protest and refused to allow Swire trucks from gaining access to the podium, which the residents say they have used for recreation for 30 years.

Swire needs to clear the podium to gain access to an area where it is building a school.

The 14-metre by 19-metre podium is situated between Tai Ming House and Tai Kut House in Quarry Bay.

Last week police were called in to settle a stand-off between dozens of residents and representatives of Swire when a truck approached the podium and workers tried to erect road signs.

The residents blocked the workers and prevented them from erecting the signs.

They stopped trucks from moving in and Swire backed off.

But the company is scheduled to move another team of trucks and workers into the podium on Tuesday morning.

Resident Hong Pun, 82, said he would join the protesters on Tuesday morning.

He believes the trucks will endanger the safety of residents, most of whom, he says, were employed by Swire's shipyard as clerks, engineers and technicians in the 1970s.

'I worked for Swire as their technician for 50 years,' Mr Hong said. 'I paid $40,000 to buy the 400 square foot dormitory from my employer in the 1970s. Everybody knows everybody here.

'We worked and grew old together. We have a very close community here.

'I think this small podium should never be used as a motorway. We grow plants and socialise here.

'I have raised my son and grandson here. Who is going to guarantee our safety if trucks are allowed to drive through?'

About 300 people aged between 80 and 90 and about 200 children under 12 live in the small community of 1,600 people in the 400-unit premises.

But Swire, which has sent the residents a legal letter warning them not to continue their blockade on Tuesday, says the residents are being 'unreasonable'.

A spokesman said: 'Swire Properties regrets that a small group of local residents has been unreasonable in interrupting the construction work of Taikoo Primary School.

'Swire Properties considers the residents' current act unreasonable because the residents have tried to claim unspecified rights over a piece of land that they have never owned.

'They are seeking to deprive the right of Swire Properties to fulfil its contractual obligations with the Government by delaying the progress of the new school.'

Swire wants to use the podium to move construction material into the proposed Taikoo Primary School site behind Tai Ming and Tai Kut House.

The work has been approved by government departments and the Eastern District Office.

But the residents have sought legal aid in order to fight Swire's decision and they have filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's Office.

Resident Kitty Wong who was raised and now lives in the area said: 'It is very hard to keep our elderly cool. When they spot the Swire representatives trying to do something here, they feel very upset.'



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Swire Group

Elderly protesters stage sit-in, plan legal action to stop real estate giant gaining access to podium