Opened or closed? Debate over public access to Hong Kong waterfront site under People’s Liberation Army
- Concern group argues that earlier agreement states scenic area in Central should be opened to the public when not in military use
- But latest comments by planning authority cast doubt on stance, leading to fears PLA has final say
A waterfront civic group in Hong Kong is pressing the government on whether it has changed its stance on public access to a military pier after comments made by the planning authority over a rezoning proposal.
The latest concern on Thursday over a 150-metre promenade stretch in Central came a day before the Town Planning Board, the city’s urban planning watchdog, was set to examine the proposal submitted by the group.
In its rezoning application, filed in August, the Central Harbourfront Concern Group suggested that part of the scenic strip – which was given to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on June 29 – be rezoned into an open space when not in use by the military.
But on Thursday, the Planning Department, in a board paper that was made public and submitted to the watchdog, said they did not support rezoning, as the primary use of the site was for military purposes, leaving no justification for open spaces.
Concern group member Paul Zimmerman said: “It was promised that the area of the military dock site will be open to the public when not in military use ... But now they have changed it to gates being only opened ‘when needed’ – meaning the PLA has the power to decide.”
