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SCMP Reporter

Tunnel project will damage pristine shore
The proposed project, the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin tunnel and cross bay link,  will affect an 800-metre-long stretch of natural shoreline, comprising beaches, sea cliffs and a wave-cut platform.
Much of the original natural shoreline in the city area, including around Tseung Kwan O, has been reclaimed. Any remaining shoreline should therefore be considered a valuable asset.
The Association for Geoconservation raised its concerns with the Civil Engineering and Development Department in July 2007 and had a meeting with the department  the following month. In principle, the association supports the idea of building a tunnel and a highway link so that the congestion problem of Tseung Kwan O can be relieved. However, we object to extensive reclamation along the natural shoreline.
We strongly urge the government to reconsider the alignment of the toll plaza and interchange near Tiu Keng Leng in the preliminary design.
Specifically, we suggest that the reclamation area should be separated from the shoreline.
Our proposed design has three advantages:
It retains the stretch of natural shoreline;
There will be a lagoon that greatly enhances the scenic value of local landscape; and
The reclamation area has the potential to become an urban fringe park linking the proposed cycle track facilities.
S. L. Ng, convener, conservation policy, Association for Geoconservation
Charge fees
for neon space
Christine Loh's column ('Neon-liberalism', July 24) draws attention to the monster advertising billboards that are mushrooming throughout the urban areas.  Many are so large  it is  very difficult to avoid them.
It therefore appears that the government is turning a blind eye, as it is doubtful that these structures have been authorised by the Buildings Department.
Perhaps the  department is overwhelmed by its quest to target old buildings in the city and to blitz anything that differs from the original, approved building plans.
Individual residential owners are a far easier target than large corporate entities.
Our city's airspace is surely a public asset, yet  advertisers are now using it scot-free.
Such signs and billboards should be licensed with an annual fee based on the square meter size and with a surcharge for those signs that have flashing lights.
As there are more than 800,000 such signs a HK$100 per square metre annual fee would add up to a very tidy sum.
To counter-balance the negative social aspects of these billboards, may I suggest that the funds received be placed into a trust, similar to  Britain's National Trust, so that Hong Kong's remaining heritage and open spaces may be secured for the community?
Frank Lee, Mid-Levels
Planners ignore
heat islands
The heat island effect is one result of the government's failure to control the intensity of development in the urban areas of Hong Kong.
This negligence is particularly prevalent where old city areas have been designated as 'comprehensive development areas' (CDA), and existing open spaces and streets have been drawn into the CDA boundaries.
The submission of the planning application in the form of a master layout plan places the developer in the driving seat to propose (excessive) plot ratios and building heights to the Town Planning Board.
It appears that CDA may mean 'controls don't apply', and the master layout plan may translate  as 'maximum land premium', as this appears to be the principle motivation of government.
To combat the heat island effect, the government must first reassert some coherent density control into the planning system.
And 'open spaces' need to be respected as essential community assets and should not be treated as cash cows by the Lands Department.
Studies in Japan have shown that pedestrianisation combined with tree planting, water features, roof gardens and potted plants on balconies help cool down urban areas.
Osaka is testing water sprayed as mist to cool buildings and reduce the energy used for air conditioning.
The secretary for development recently set up a steering committee to see if we can learn lessons from how our Asian neighbours have handled their urban renewal.
Perhaps their remit should be expanded to include the heat island effect, as the recent massive urban renewal schemes in our old districts will have contributed to this problem.
Roger Emmerton, Wan Chai
Vote for Obama good for peace
If I were an American voter, I would vote for Senator Barack Obama. A black president with a Muslim background would probably change course for a more moderate foreign policy towards Osama bin Laden and his holy warrior  followers, diluting the conflict between Christians and Muslims, and thus ensuring a more peaceful world.
In contrast, Senator John McCain is even more hawkish then US President George W. Bush, and may opt for a more confrontational US foreign policy towards militant Muslims, resulting in a more unstable world,  which would affect Asia. Further, I recognise that America has travelled past its zenith, from former president George  Bush Snr's 'new world order' to his son's 'new world disorder'. The Americans will have to share the international limelight with China, starting with the Olympics.
A lesser role in international affairs may well be good for America's domestic priorities. After Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech almost half a century ago, the US melting pot could now actually deliver a black president. This is a triumph akin to Nelson Mandela  overcoming apartheid. This achievement is not attributable to one person,  but  to American voters.
Guy K. H. Lam, Central
Judges interpret,
not amend, law
While Rex Moser refrains from commenting on judicial independence in Hong Kong ('Amendments seldom succeed', July 24), there is nevertheless a linkage between constitutional amendment and judicial independence.
Judges are entrusted with constitutional and statutory interpretation, but the independence of the judiciary from political issues and its separate role from the executive and the legislature, requires self-restraint to avoid unacceptable breaches of the boundary between interpretation and legislative amendment.
A failure to respect this boundary occurred during a peak period of judicial activism in Australia in the 1990s. Legislation had been enacted preventing the wealthy from monopolising political television advertising prior to an election, and permitting a more democratic allocation of broadcast time.
This legislation was nullified by the high court of Australia because of a right to freedom of political communication - which the majority judgment claimed was implied in the Australian constitution based on the concept of representative democracy.
Such judicial legislation was not only unauthorised, but also usurped the democratic method of amendment that is the prerogative of the Australian people under section 128 of the constitution.
Michael Scott, The Peak



Letters