Community leaders hit out at temporary reclamation plan
Government plans for temporary reclamation in Causeway Bay typhoon shelter are unworkable and will place intolerable pressures on its fishermen and boat dwellers, community leaders have claimed.
The government has until Friday to appeal against last month's High Court ruling that found plans for 10.7 hectares of temporary reclamation work to build the Central to Wan Chai bypass are subject to the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance. It is considering the move.
Experts say the ruling is likely to delay by one to four years the six-year tunnel project that was originally scheduled to finish in 2016. Unless the government wins an appeal, the ruling will effectively require it to launch a technical review of the project and consultations with the community.
But the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter Mutual Aid Committee says the 100-strong fishing community should have already been consulted about a plan to move boats, reclaim land and build the tunnel.
Under the plan, drawn up in September last year, the two ends of the shelter would be reclaimed first. Boats from affected areas would be moved out into a new mooring behind a temporary breakwater 420 metres offshore. Once each section was complete, boats would be returned to the area, while work proceeded on the next one. Other boats outside the works area would remain in the shelter throughout the project.
Poon Kam-tin, the committee's chairman, said: 'This project would be the biggest disturbance to life in the typhoon shelter in its entire history. It is a threat to the future of our community. The government should have consulted our association. I am upset that they have not done so.