Most people would agree columbariums, garbage collection points and public toilets are necessary, but few want them built near their homes.
The not-in-my-backyard, or nimby, mentality has been becoming more common in Hong Kong. A few months ago, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was angered by local objections to building columbariums in different districts. He called on residents to be more tolerant of unpopular facilities in their districts.
Other nimby examples include residents in Kwai Fong who objected to a public toilet for the disabled; opposition in Yau Ma Tei to the relocation of a garbage collection station, which has delayed an extension of the Xiqu (Cantonese opera) activity centre for two years; and flushing toilets being denied to hikers and tourists on parts of Lantau where residents have objected to the upgrading of old-style aqua privies.
The siting of an unpopular local facility always creates a dilemma between protection of local interests and the serving of societal needs.
In the first case, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department wanted to build a new toilet for the disabled at the Wing Fong Street wet market in Kwai Fong. The toilet, originally scheduled for completion by July 2007, was part of the department's plan to improve conditions at six wet markets, including providing barrier-free access.
Although the project was approved by the district council, residents of the nearby Mei Fung Building strongly objected to it. They said it would spoil the environment, creating a bad smell and more human traffic and blocking the market entrance.
A department official said his team met residents about 10 times in a year but failed to change their mind. 'The residents said the toilets would be a psychological barrier,' he said. 'We offered to change the direction of the toilet entrance ... but they still said it would cause them stress.'