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SCMP Reporter

Cheung Kong will turn 72 hectares of fish ponds in Fung Lok Wai, Yuen Long, into a wetland nature reserve as part of a multi-billion-dollar private housing project that will set a precedent for similar developments around the Mai Po reserve.

The Fung Lok Wai development was approved in principle by the Town Planning Board in 2000 and an environmental impact assessment report is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Construction could start as early as late next year after approval by the Environmental Protection Department.

The project to build 2,300 flats is likely to renew heated debate on wetland conservation as half of the development lies within the Ramsar site - the protected Mai Po nature reserve.

There also are fears it could open the floodgates for other developers who have acquired land within the wetland conservation area.

It is understood that Cheung Kong has recently met major green groups, including the World Wild Fund for Nature, Green Power and the Conservancy Association, to allay their fears.

Under the developer's proposals, up to 30 towers of a maximum 25 storeys and about 20 terraced houses will take up only five per cent of the site.

It is understood the developer preferred to have fewer, taller blocks because its consultant said the buildings' location, rather than height, would pose greater problems for birds' flight paths.

Cheung Kong has also decided to move the construction site 150 metres eastwards to minimise interference with birds' flight paths and have less reflective glass to stop them crashing into buildings.

Thirty-seven fishponds will be regrouped into 21 bigger ponds. Normal fishing activities will continue and proceeds from fish sales will be used to help finance the reserve management.

It is estimated it will cost $1 million a year to run the reserve, with fish sales raising about $600,000. A wetland nature reserve foundation will be set up to make up the difference.

A fund management board will comprise major green groups' representatives, government officials and the private sector.

World Wide Fund for Nature conservation manager Alex Yau Shuk-kau said they would not oppose the development if it was compatible with wetland conservation.

'We, of course, hope the government buys all the wetland for conservation. But where will the money come from?' she said. 'If the developer meets the 'no net loss on wetland area' principle and has a long-term management plan, we won't oppose it.'

The general secretary of the Conservancy Association, Lister Cheung Lai-ping, cast doubt on the sustainability of the new nature reserve. 'The fish market is very volatile. The nature reserve plan will not succeed unless it can be assured of a stable income,' she said.

Fung Lok Wai fish farmer Wong Yiu-bo, who was one of 20 farmers Cheung Kong sued for illegally occupying the fish ponds, opposes the development.

'We grew up here and spent most of our lives farming fish there. We don't want to be forced to leave our homes,' he said.

Graphic: FLOK28GET



Nature reserve plan unveiled for wetland site