My Take | Forget about this grandiose islands plan
- Carrie Lam’s “Lantau Tomorrow Vision” makes no sense in terms of its scale, timelines and costs. Meanwhile, many objections to it make good sense
Since we have been suffering from “protest fatigue”, it was quite extraordinary that thousands of people turned up for a rally against the “Lantau Tomorrow Vision”.
How often did people get worked up to march against a proposed infrastructure project? This one, though, is different. With massive reclamation off Lantau spanning two to three decades, the plan announced by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in her policy address promises to be the mother of all infrastructure projects. If carried out, the geography of Hong Kong, its very shape on the map, will change forever.
Is it any wonder that people are sceptical? What really outrages people is that the reasons given for the project make no sense in terms of its scale, timelines and costs.
If it’s to relieve housing supply and find homes for the needy, there are cheaper and quicker ways, from developing brownfields and agricultural land to redeveloping government properties and the 170-hectare Fanling golf course, or even the fringes of country parks.
The government’s rationale makes no sense. Meanwhile, many objections make good sense. Here are the most salient ones summarised by land activist Tom Yam:
● Exorbitant cost, possibly to the tune of HK$1 trillion;