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Tourist pier plan criticised for lack of focus

Klaudia Lee

Five tourism theme piers planned for Aberdeen are too far apart and the number should be reduced to one or two, a Legco panel was told yesterday.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him said the planned piers were too scattered to attract tourists.

'Instead of developing all the five spots, the Government should concentrate on developing one or two tourist spots,' Mr Ip told the planning, lands and works panel.

The Planning Department released a blueprint for Aberdeen Harbour in November favouring recreational and tourism development over residential and commercial use.

The study suggested five piers covering 16.6 hectares: a Fish Market Quay in Aberdeen, a Bazaar in Ap Lei Chau, Harbour Square, Po Chong Wan Quay, and the Middle Kingdom Redevelopment of Ocean Park.

A developed wholesale fish market in Aberdeen would also have a 'fishermen's wharf' concept.

Mr Ip suggested widening the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to develop it into a tourist zone so traditional sampans and small sight-seeing boats could carry tourists.

Fellow DAB lawmaker Wong Yung-kan, who represents the agriculture and fisheries sector, said the Government should move the Aberdeen wholesale market to make the area cleaner ahead of any tourism development.

The department will carry out a second-phase consultation on uses of the area in April.

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