Town Planning Board members and environmentalists have warned that unnecessary small projects could damage the natural landscape of the countryside, and have urged the government not to sacrifice the environment for short-term job opportunities.
Under current regulations, starting projects with a budget of less than HK$21 million do not require approval from the Legislative Council. Unlike government designated projects, an environmental impact assessment is not required before starting this type of small infrastructural work.
The government announcement yesterday that small projects would be speeded up triggered fears that the administration would continue past practice, 'creating' unnecessary construction work in the countryside that would create eyesores.
'Please don't do it for the sake of it,' Town Planning Board member Ng Cho-nam said. 'Short-term unemployment should not be solved by measures bringing long-term impacts.'
He said a bad example would be covering footpaths in the countryside with concrete, creating a visual impact on the natural environment. 'Instead of digging roads and paving them with concrete, the government might want to consider planting more trees,' he said.
Alan Leung Sze-lun, senior conservation officer for environmental group WWF, said the government could consider adding a sewage system for remote villages.
