The diggers are gone from a site near pristine Tai Long Sai Wan beach, but the mystery remains over how they got there in the first place.
Officers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department yesterday monitored the removal of the heavy machinery - including three diggers and a roller - that were taken away on a barge.
The removal of the diggers comes in the wake of a public uproar over businessman Simon Lo Lin-shing carrying out excavation work at a site near the beach. The chairman of Mongolia Energy bought more than 70 plots of land totalling 1.8 hectares for an estimated HK$20 million last year.
Diggers were first seen clearing vegetation in June and the large-scale work was revealed by the South China Morning Post.
A temporary zoning order is now in effect that blocks all new development without prior permission in the area. The Town Planning Board gazetted a Sai Wan development permission area plan, designating the site for 'unspecified use', pending further study of what uses should be allowed.
Lo had said he planned to build an organic garden but villagers said the work was for development of a private lodge, including artificial ponds, a tennis court and separate apartment.