Hong Kong lawmakers slam government over inaction in developing South Lantau, after authorities fail to deliver timeline
- Development Bureau says in response it will deliver some ‘quick wins’ in coming two years for developing the island into an eco-recreation destination
- Lawmakers highlighted that the project still had no timeline despite two decades of planning
Hong Kong lawmakers have accused the government of dragging its feet in developing South Lantau into an eco-recreation destination, after authorities failed to come up with a timeline despite two decades of planning.
The Development Bureau pledged on Tuesday to deliver some “quick win” projects in the coming two years, in response to criticism during a Legislative Council panel meeting over the South Lantau proposal announced the day before.
Lawmaker Andrew Lam Siu-lo noted that the former administration first sought the public’s opinions on a concept plan for the city’s largest island in 2004 and made modifications in 2007.
The government asked for views again in 2016 to create a blueprint for sustainable development for Lantau a year later, he added.
“Most facilities in the latest proposal should have been completed between 2017 to 2023 in the blueprint in black-and-white,” Lam told the development panel meeting.
“After seven years, the government still cannot outline the feasibilities, action plans and timeline. [The latest proposal] remains a concept. What do you want to ask during the two-month consultation?”
Fellow legislator Ben Chan Han-pan said the public would expect some concrete measures to be imposed after years of effort, while lawmaker Tony Tse Wai-chuen also urged the government to construct basic hardware facilities as soon as possible.