Man-made beach will be 'bad for swimming'

A biologist says the "ecologically valuable" Tai Po coast which the government will turn into a man-made beach is not suitable for swimming, while some local residents are gearing up to show support for the project even before the controversial construction begins, perhaps as soon as in a week.

Dr Billy Hau Chi-hang, a principal lecturer at the University of Hong Kong's school of biological sciences, said Lung Mei was of "undeniably" high ecological value. "When artificial sand is laid on the beach, the water flow will slow down. The seabed silt will in the long run turn black and odorous due to the marine organisms," Hau told City Forum yesterday.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and executive councillors on Tuesday rejected a petition asking for the permit to build the beach be revoked on the grounds the project may have a bigger impact than anticipated. The Executive Council last week said there were no grounds to do so.

Work on the artificial beach is scheduled to start this month after the Civil Engineering and Development Department last week awarded the work contract to Welcome Construction Company. The winning bid was HK$74 million.

The award had been delayed twice because of the petition.

Clement Woo Kin-man, a Tai Po resident and member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, joined a rally at the site in support of the construction.