Friends of Sai Kung

Update: 8 March 2010



9 February 2010 Ho Chung access

The residents of Ho Chung New Village are trying to raise attention to a fact that many have been objecting to for years: lack of town planning. In the village one of the main access roads happens to be private land and the rightful owner is planning to build a garden on it. Sadly this is a problem that could have been solved if, when granting planning applications for houses, someone realised that it is not safe to block off houses (preventing fire and ambulance access) and it is not wise to assume that just because the application doesn’t request “parking spaces” the inhabitants of the new flats are not going to have cars (from a Town Planning letter). Land for roads and public spaces should be allocated automatically with every application. A meeting with the relevant Government departments didn’t yield results. Everyone was assessing whether or not the road could be used during an event of an emergency. It turns out that the police do not have a problem with the closed road. Neither do the ambulances. Nor fire. Lands Department's hands are tied together. When asked: what about the sewage issues? “The cisterns have to be emptied once a year” There was no response. Also, no response when asked about access for children, elderly - general daily commuters. FSK have asked Christine Loh for help, she has promised to escalate the issue. Ho Chung residents are banding together at Government House this Thursday, Feb 11th. Buses will be leaving from Sai Kung ($50 fee) at 8am - making their way into Central to protest in person. To keep abreast on the situation, join the Ho Chung residents on facebook.

Rezoning in Clear Water Bay – Urgent (application deadline on Thursday 12th February)

The proposed amendments mainly involves the rezoning of an area between Clear Water Bay Road and Pik Shui Sun Tsuen from "Conservation Area" to "Government, Institution or Community (5)", primarily for the provision of hospital facilities, and the rezoning of another area between University Road and Staff Quarters of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from "Conservation Area" to "Government, Institution or Community (6)", primarily for the provision of hospital staff quarters. This just means the loss of more green space. Please help us suggest that if Conservation land is lost it should be replaced somewhere else. For sending your objections please email Town Planning directly at tpbpd@pland.gov.hk. (Objections to the “Proposed amendments to draft Clear Water Bay Peninsula North OZP No S/SK-CWB N1”) More information : here.



Hiram's Highway

No news as yet…. We welcome suggestions for new arguments. Send them to us

Outdoor Center in Sai Kung

The Hong Kong Jockey Club wants to donate some HK$133 million through its Charities Trust to The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) for its Phase III redevelopment of the HKFYG Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp. However the Club has failed to include an Environmental Impact Assessment in the planning application, this has been seen as an attempt to circumvent EIA legislation. Constructed in 1965, the HKFYG Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp at Tai Mong Tsai has become one of the most popular camp sites in Hong Kong, achieving an utilisation rate of 100%. Having funded over HK$113 million to two earlier phases of redevelopment, the Club has now committed to support its Phase III redevelopment programme which will increase the camp's floor area to about 15,000 square metres. The project also includes the construction of 16 bungalows, increasing the residential capacity from 236 to 460; a recreation block equipped with an expanded canteen seating 300; and a new boathouse and slipway. Upon completion, the camp will be one of the largest in Hong Kong, providing a comprehensive range of facilities and equipment, and offering a wide variety of programmes. Its annual attendance is expected to increase from 90,000 to about 150,000.

CLP windfarm

A few weeks ago we asked you to help us participate in CLPs consultation process regarding the windfarm to be built off the Clear Water Bay peninsula. Thank you very much for your responses. One of our members will be FSK’s representative with CLP, we look forward to his reports.

Sai Kung Waterfront

8 patches of grass (approx. 2m by 4m to 2m by 6m) along the waterfront outside the golf course's car park have been excavated, cement has been poured and currently bricks are being laid for constructing permanent stalls for selling food and drinks and arts and crafts. This project is being carried out by the SKDC and the SKDCC. It seems that the SKDC has a series of themed projects (Pet Garden, Filming Zone and Fun Paradise - whatever these are?!) planned for the waterfront grass area known as Area 4. Perhaps having a weekend market/fair in Sai Kung would attract more tourists, but is the grass area an appropriate place to have a weekend market/fair? The staff of the SKDCC say that these stalls would only operate in the weekends. As it seems that no consultation has taken place FSK is writing to the DC a letter to 1) raise the issue of the concrete squares 2) ask about consultation. You can send your comments and objections to Sai Kung District Council skdcadm@skdc.had.gov.hk AND the Sai Kung District Community Centre skdcc@skdcc.org. Meanwhile we propose starting a "Revive our Waterfront" Group. We are looking for people with ideas, issues to be raised and possibly a pen to help write letters. Please email us at info@friendsofsaikung.org More information here for the English version. or here for the Chinese version. >

Rail link Hong Kong Guangzhou

FSK helped to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment for the area (a much smaller area than the official EIA was covering). So far it has shown that there are 17 species of dragonflies living in the area, the same number the offcial EIA found. The strange thing is that our EIA has only covered the three autumn months and the official one covered a whole year...


Hiram's Highway- bike rally

Saturday 28th, nearly 30 bicycles took to the streets in Sai Kung to raise awareness of the oncoming four-lane expansion of Hiram's Highway. With the support of the Police, the peaceful ride brought to the forefront the need for safe infrastructure as well as a leisure bike path to access the Back Garden of Sai Kung. Through the continued support of the Sai Kung community and extended family of Hong Kongers - Friends of Sai Kung send our thanks to the cyclists who joined the event as well as the many who sent support from afar. With the help and guidance of the police, FSK halted traffic on both sides of the highway to raise awareness of safety, controlled development and road improvement. It was a nice peaceful ride - which further emphasised the need for a bicycle track to Sai Kung!!!! The road is to be gazetted end of the year which will signal another two week consultation period! We will keep you updated for the next event! Till then - Save Sai Kung from Mongkokisation!



Letters from Highways Department regarding Hiram's Highway

Highways Department and other departments have answered to most of the issues raised by Friends of Sai Kung and its members. We keep going around in circles, all the correspondence is available here (Highways, Transport and others). And here (Highways).> We welcome suggestions for new arguments. Send them to us

Hiram’s alignment to be shifted to West of Marina Cove

A valuable old tree was standing in the way of an alignment shift to the West by Marina Cove. During the last typhoon the tree was damaged and has since been cut down which means the alignment of the proposed widening of Hiram’s Highway can be shifted to the West, and Marina Cove won’t lose all of their roadside green area.

Wild buffaloes in Sai Kung

Buffaloes around Sai Kung are becoming a problem (to some). They are being forced off land due to housing development in the area. Little concern has been given as to what happens to the buffaloes when they are forced off their territories and their presence on roads is becoming an increasing concern (both for their safety and that of drivers). The biggest herd seems to be residing around the Sha Kok Mei area, just outside of Sai Kung Town. A buffalo watch group has been set up to help the buffaloes and prevent their slaughter. The Sai Kung buffalo watch have fsk's support and Karina is doing a fantastic job in getting the word out. join her group on facebook here.

Ho Chung area

A new road has been proposed through Ho Chung New Village. The layout is available here.
Rail link Hong Kong Guangzhou

It seems that despite objections LEGCO has confirmed the new rail link, although it might be delayed due to barge space constraints. FSK has been helping Choi Yuen Tsuen villagers to finalize an ecological check list and will make it public in late February. The purpose is to challenge part of the EIA. So far, FSK has found some important species which the EIA didn't mentioned such as the "Bird Wing", the only species of butterfly protected by law of HK.


Short news

Application to build a Buddhist Hall rejected The application to build a Buddhist Hall in the Ho Chung valley (SK-HC-161)has been rejected. Reasons: development not in line with "agriculture" zone use; insufficient information in the submission; no emergency vehicular access; undesirable precedent. 22 comments were received objecting to the Hall, one of the letters contained over 100 signatures from locals. However a reapplication has already been submitted. Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application: 8 August 2008 More information Sam Chung surveying being carried out Apparently surveying has been carried out in Sam Chung, probably to build multiple low rise buildings Tuk Kwa Pin - 30 houses planned The area has already been cleared of trees and despite the fact that there is no road leading to it the plan seems to be for about 30 houses to be built. Planning application for a house: A_SK-PK_158 Lot 1030 in DD221, Village house to be built on private land in a residential zone in Kap Pin Long New Village, Sai Kung, New Territories Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application 27 June 2008 Village house to be built on private land in a residential zone in Kap Pin Long New Village. More information A_SK-PK_159 - Six villages houses to be built partly on a village zone and partly on green belt, part private land and part government land, in Kau Sai San Tsuen. Location: Lots 1090 sA (part), 1090 sB (part), 1090 sC (part), 1090 sD, 1090 sE, 1090 sF and 1090 RP (part) in DD 217 and adjoining Government land, Kau Sai San Tsuen, Sai Kung, New Territories Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application: 11/07/2008 More information A/SK-HC/163 Application for 2 village houses to be "Redeveloped" in Ngau Pui Wo on land zoned as Conservation Area. Ngau Pui Wo is is between the Ho Chung Valley and the Wilson Trail. Location: Lot 604 in D.D. 247 and adjoining Government land, Ngau Pui Wo, Ho Chung, Sai Kung Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application: 15/07/2008 More information Planning application for a house: A/SK-TMT/20 Lot 253 in D.D. 257 and adjoining Government Land, Wong Keng Tei,Sai Kung, New Territories Proposed House (New Territories Exempted House) Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application 20 June 2008 Change from Conservation to Residential: Y/SK-CWBN/4 Plan Area:Clear Water Bay Peninsula North Date Application Received: 15/05/2008 Location: Lots 921RP, 923RP, 926, 927, 933-940, 944RP and adjoining Government Land in D.D. 243, Sai Kung Proposal: To rezone the application site from "Conservation Area" to Residential (Group C) 7 Expiry Date for Making Comments on Application: 13/06/2008 More information Upgrade the Mang Kung Uk sewerage project - Port Shelter Sewerage Stage 3. If you have more information on any of the above please email us info@friendsofsaikung.org
Hiram's Highway

Friends of Sai Kung welcomes you to join our Bike Rally on Saturday, November 28th in objection to the widening of Hiram’s Highway. The government decision is set to be made end of the year – so let your voice be heard and get outside to enjoy the autumn weather! WHEN: 9am – noon DATE: Saturday November 28 WHERE: Pak Sha Wan Pier WHY: A Bike Rally in objection to the widening of the road HOW: Biking from Pak Sha Wan – Ho Chung (rentals available!) Please email us for more information or register to take part.



New Territories new express train line

Friends of Sai Kung is involved in helping the local villagers who are in danger of losing their land to the new rail link to Guangzhou. It seems that the project will cost every Hong Kong man, woman and child HK$10,000. So the question is: is it really worth it? Give us your thoughts in the forum.

Ho Chung planning applications

More planning application to build in the Ho Chung valley. Friends of Sai Kung objects to the applications to build houses with no roads, parking and no planning whatsoever, sadly not only in Ho Chung. For the latest planning applications.

Adopt a Sai Kung pet

A group of Sai Kung volunteers have been trying to control the increasing number of wild dogs around Hong Kong and specifically Sai Kung. They are finding homes for stary dogs as well as campaigning and carrying out desexing ops. You can find them - and the dogs for adoption - on weekends in the Square

Sai Kung Nullah and waterfront fishing

A $50 million contract to improve Fuk Man Road Nullah in Sai Kung was awarded by the Drainage Services Department today. The Sai Kung project comprises the decking of 180m of open nullah, and related landscape works and road junction improvements. There is also talk about moving the waterfront fishfood sellers indoors. It seems that everything that makes Sai Kung special is slowly being wiped out.
CLP presentation on the windfarm

FSK members attended a CLO presentation of the proposed wind farm. This will be a HK$6 to 7 billion project that will supply “clean” electricity to 80,000 homes. The wind farm will be offshore, far enough not to be heard but it will be seen by Clearwater Bay residents and anyone sailing. The project has been thoroughly researched and the only objection could be that it will be CLP users who will be footing the bill.

Geopark

As you may know, Hong Kong is establishing a Geopark in the east of the territory. One of our members has posted an article on it.


Hirams Highway Petition

Not a lot happened at the second consultation meeting with Highways Dept. Stage 1 of the road (Ho Chung roundabout to Marina Cove) is still going ahead as 4 lanes and Stage 2 (to Sai Kung) is still under review. Five alternatives were presented to the public of which only one seems to be viable (improve the road by creating lay-bys for buses and turning roads). Minutes from the meeting. We are writing to LegCo members to try to get them interested in this topic. If you are interested in helping with this please write to us info@friendsofsaikung.org We submitted over 1200 signatures to the Chief Executive. The online petition - 250 signatures so far - is still available online. You can help by forwarding the link to the petition to friends and colleagues link to petition.

Friends of Sai Kung members recruitment drive

We get lots of emails with people interested in what we do but membership is rather stagnant If you know anyone who might be interested in becoming a member please get them to get in touch with us! We need members so that we have a good communications network and can stay in touch with what is happening around Sai Kung. Contact us at info@friendsofsaikung.org

New bus station

Apparently the new bus station by the police station is not being used because the design is such that buses cannot turn

Second pier

A second pier is being built in Sai Kung. This was approved by the Sai Kung District Council two years ago.

Cycle Track Sai Kung to Tseung Kwan O

Apparently the Civil Engineering and Development Dept. has found the road from Sai Kung to TKO to be too steep to be able to build a cycle track (according to a Feasibility Study completed in 2005).

Reef exhibition

This year the Reef exhibition will also include research projects to be carried out in Sai Kung waters. Friends of Sai Kung is looking for volunteers to help at the exhibition, people with some marine biology background preferred. Get in touch with us at info@friendsofsaikung.org


Hirams Highway Petition

On Sunday 8th June FSK started its campaign against the proposed works to Hirams Highway. FSK will be collecting signatures in Sai Kung town from residents and visitors for the next few Sundays. In addition we also have an online petition. All signatures collected will be going to the Chief Executive. After three Sundays we have over 800 paper signatures and 150 electronic ones. If you havent sign yet you can do so now at petition. Thank you to our banner sponsors! You can help by forwarding the link to the petition to friends and colleaguesLink to petition . If you would like to help collecting paper signatures please email us info@friendsofsaikung.org p

Highways Dept.s second consultation Sat 12 July 08, SK Town Hall

Registration 2pm, Commencing 2.30pm. The meeting is specifically being held before the next meeting of the Sai Kung District Council (SKDC) on 15 July and SKDC members are being encouraged to attend the forum. The minutes of the first and second meetings (2008) of the Sai Kung District Council (SKDC) Traffic and Transport Committee (TTC), held on 15 January and 21 February 2008 have been released. For more information.

Ho Chung clearance

Non confirmed reports now indicate that the notice - saying this patch of land near Venice villas was to be a recreational area for Ho Chung villagers - was not put up by the Ho Chung village, but by a developer who has purchased the land.

Dogs

Patch (white dog lost a few weeks ago) was found! And we have reports concerning another lost dog: a brown husky with a collar in the shape of a bone. Tsunami was seen last Thursday in Sai Kung by the roundabout next to the police station. His owners telephone number is printed on the bone. If you see him email us info@friendsofsaikung.org

Cycling restrictions on Sai Sha Rd

Further to our bit of news last time, this is the reply from Transport Department (through the Citizen's Easy Link) to a letter from a FSK member. Transport Department's reply as follows : "We have discussed with the traffic police about the restriction of cycling on Sai Sha Road on holidays. The restriction is considered necessary to be maintained for the safety sake of cyclists and motorist. For your information, a cycle track along Sai Sha Road is being planned and its construction is scheduled to commence in 2011 and completed in 2015. Should you have further enquiry on this matter, please contact Ir Billy LEUNG at 2399 2227." If you want to comment on this you can email Transport Dept. on tdenq@td.gov.hk

Rejected application to build an eco-farm

Filling and Excavation of Land for Agricultural use in Conservation Area and Coastal Protection Area zones (A/SK-CWBN/8) Although overall organic farm is supported this application was rejected on the following grounds: The proposed organic farm use which involved filling and excavation of land was considered undesirable and unnecessary as it had damaged the natural landscape and adversely affected the environment and nearby coastal character [done before permission to do so was obtained]. Approval would set an undesirable precedent for similar applications Thank you to the 13 public comment-ers who sent in their objections.

Another application rejected (Y/SK/HH3)

Application for Amendment to the Approved Hebe Haven Outline Zoning Plan No. S/SK-HH/6 from Conservation Area to Village Type Development (Y/SK/HH3) The application was rejected on the following grounds: the application site covered with vegetation was part of a wider Conservation Area zone which was to protect and retain the existing natural landscape, ecological or topographical features of the area for conservation there was sufficient developable land reserved and zoned V for Che Keng Tuk to meet the Small House demand in the area for the next ten years the proposed development would necessitate substantive clearance [] it would destroy the natural character of the area the proposed rezoning would set an undesirable precedent Thank you to the 63 public comment-ers who objected the application.

Comments to TPB Applications - not anonymous

Comments to Town Planning Board are not anonymous. You have to provide your name and contact details. All comments are available for public viewing, although the Board tries to delete the contact details (not always successfully).

Waste still there: Heritage Trail in Wo Liu

The construction and demolition waste by the trail in Wo Liu is still there. A FSK member keeps reminding EPD about the need to clear it but the waste is still there.

Lights on Fei Ngo Shan Rd.

Highways Dept. says they have checked with all the relevant departments including the Sha Tin District Council and everyone is happy with lights going up on the road (interesting that neither EPD nor SK District Council knew of any plans to put those lights up until a FSK member mention it to them). If you are not too happy about having another country park road lit up like a Xmas tree you can call Mr. K. C Chow on 23704809 or Mr. C.H. Chu of Highways Dept. on 23704773 or write to them: Mr. K. C Chow, Highways Dept., 10th F, tower 1, Cheung Sha Wan Plaza, 833 Cheung Sha Wan Rd, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon (copy it to EPD for good measure): Charles Pang, Environmental Protection Officer, EPD Branch Office, 28th Floor, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Ho Chung land clearance

A massive area opposite Venice Villas (on the left side of the Ho Chung Rd) has recently been cleared. Apparently Ho Chung village recognizes the loss of amenities due to the river works and is leveling off this abandoned land to create a recreation area for the village. We are impressed! (Especially as the area is marked for residential).

No home yet and lost

A home hasn t been found yet for these two dogs (theirs owners are leaving for Australia and can t take the dogs with them). If you might be able to adopt them please let us know. And another doggy news: Patch, a white/grey mongrel with brown ears and a brown patch on the side (with a grey reflective collar on and a red flea collar) is missing. She was last seen by the Gilwell bbq site on Sunday(1st) morning. As she is likely to be wet she just looks white and quite skinny. If you see her email us info@friendsofsaikung.org or check the forum for the telephone numbers of the owners.

Cycling restrictions on Sai Sha Rd

Cycling has been banned on the section of Sai Sha road from the Tai Mong Tsai roundabout to the restaurants in Nai Chung on Sundays and Public Holidays for a number of years, there are a number of signs along the section that state this but most of them are quite hard to notice because they are mostly parallel to the road. Transport Dept. explains: Sai Sha road is narrow and heavily used especially on Sundays. Should a vehicle have to overtake a cyclist it will be required to cross the double white lines in the centre of the road and thus place itself at risk of head on collision with vehicles coming the other way. Without the restriction on holidays, groups of cyclists will also wish to use the road thereby causing a greater impediment to traffic flow. If you want to comment on this you can email Transport Dept. on tdenq@td.gov.hk

Search for Mr. Ting

A team of Sai Kung volunteers went out on an organised search to look for any clues into the disappearance of Mr. Ting, a policeman who vanished hiking in the Sai Kung country Park a few years ago. Nothing of Mr. Ting was found, however dozens of cut trees ready for shipping to the Mainland were discovered.

Hiram s Highway

Highways Dept. finally answered FSK s letter, nothing new was said: apparently police was consulted and had no major comments , the SK District Council, SK Area Committee, SK Rural committee and representatives of nearby developments and villages were also consulted but there is no comment as to what their views were except for a copy of the minutes with SK District Council. Link to more information

Nam Pin Wai roundabout traffic accident

As all of you are probably aware a tragic traffic accident in the Nam Pin Wai (Ho Chung) roundabout took many lives last week. Our condolences to the families of the victims. Many members have written to Government and newspapers with comments and suggestions as to how accidents like that could be avoided. You will find copies of many of these in the forum. A petition has been started locally (not by FSK) to improve speeding reduction measures. Some FSK members have signed the petition and added comments suggesting that Highways Department should reconsider road widening plans for Hiram s Highway as their improved alignments will only increase traffic speeds and thus accidents. To view the petition If you wish you can also send your comments directly to: Director of Highways(cswai@hyd.gov.hk), the Director of Transport (alanwong@td.gov.hk)and the Chief Superintendent Traffic, HKP(csp-traffic@police.gov.hk).

Ho Chung valley planning application to build a house

This latest application to build a house in Ho Chung New village follows on from the previous applications to build in the area, they now total over 17 houses (none of them with car parking space). As the area is going to be developed anyway, those concerned are sending their comments to the Planning Board with suggestions as how to improve the whole development (not just the individual sites): a green belt by the road, pedestrian access, emergency vehicle access, better public transport to service what might be over 150 new people in the area, etc). More information (gist of the application, comments form, location).

Ho Chung valley two storey Buddhist temple

A new application for the Ho Chung valley This one is for a Buddhist Hall a two storey structure in what is now a private garden. If you have ever walked up the Ho Chung valley to the catch water (part of the Wilson trail) you might remember a beautiful area of green lawns and plants walled off with a low brick wall on the left. The owner has applied to build a two storey 130 sq. metre hall. The owner has been building niches and it seems that he wants to open an osuary (probably for ashes rather than bones as the niches are rather small). Locals are worried about the Feng Shui impact. More information (comments, location plan and application details).

Site for auction

A Sai Kung site has been triggered for sale under the Application List System and will be auctioned May 9 with an opening bid of $10 million. It is the first Government land auction this financial year. Sai Kung Lot No. 1200 in Demarcation District No. 217 will be auctioned at Tsuen Wan Town Hall. With an area of about 191.4 square metres, the Pak Sha Wan site is designated for private residential purposes. A minimum gross floor area of 68.9 square metres must be completed. The final conditions of sale for the lot will be uploaded onto the Lands Department's website by April 25. The particulars of the land auction will also be gazetted. Local residents worry that this might be the beginning of a large development drive in the area as there are other plots around it with applications to build on them. The asking price per sq foot is an extraordinarily high $4,854.37. If this is for private residential development, a 3 storey village house on a 700 sq foot lot would cost $3,398,059 for the land alone, before construction costs of say, $1,500,000. So the cost price of such a house would be almost $5 million. Allowing for room around each house, one could not build more than 2 houses on 700 sq foot lots. It doesn't seem to make much economic sense unless it is proposed to allow a multi storey development or prices really are going through the roof.

Highways Department Consultation

2:30 - 5:30 23 February Jockey Club Hall Sai Kung Highways Department carried out this first consultation forum on Saturday 23rd February. Around 170 people attended, and about 100 took place in the "small group" discussions that followed the brief presentation and Q&A session. Friends of Sai Kung is interested in organising another consultation forum (a low scale one) with Highways Department. If you are a FSK member please check your emails for further information. More information on the consultation process and FSK notes. If you have any thoughts or comments we have opened up a forum page to record your views.

Article in HK Magazine

HK magazine run an article about Sai Kung and the Hiram s Highway project. To see it. HK Magazine article.

Lights on Fei Ngo Shan Rd.

It seems that Highways Dept. is again acting on its own. Neither EPD nor Sai Kung District Council knew anything about proposed lights on Fei Ngo Shan Rd. Apparently someone from Pak Fa Lam had asked Sai Kung District Council about the possibility of having lights on the road, SKDC s turned down the request on environmental grounds. Highways responses take their time and all we know so far is that they are studying the possibility .

New FSK Forum

We have now a proper new forum. It is open to the public for viewing but only FSK members can post. If you are a FSK member you have already been registered and we have sent you a user name and password. Please go to www.forum.friendsofsaikung.org to log in. The existing forum will be kept running until we have confirmed that there are no bugs with the new one.

Hirams' Highway volunteers needed

As you are probably aware it is going to need more than a few meetings with Highways for any changes to be made in relation to the 4 lane road Highways is proposing. FSK needs more heads and hands to push this forward. In the first instance FSK is trying to get together more information on the road: what happened when the road was planned; what objections were raised then; what was LEGCO's stance then; we also need reliable traffic data (yes, maybe counting cars); translate documents; edit what goes on the website... The photo shows the point at Ho Chung road where Highways Dept. intends to add the loop road. If you would be interested in helping or want to register your comments please email us at info@friendsofsaikung.org More information.

Sai Kung Festival - volunteers needed

Friends of Sai Kung is thinking of organizing a weekend festival in Sai Kung later this year (November or early December). Preliminary indications are that the District Council and government departments would support such an event on the Waterfront (as Man Yee Square is subject to noise complaints). The framework of the event would be stalls manned by local restaurants, bars and shops with a small stage for musical entertainment/MC. There would also be children's activities such as games, clowns and jugglers. We are now calling for volunteers to sit on a sub-committee to organize the event. It will have its first meeting later in April. If anyone is interested, please email info@friendsofsaikung.org subject matter: Festival .

More on idling engines

Following from our bit of news last time: EPD and the District Officer for Sai Kung have both replied to the letters sent by a FSK member (acting as an individual), both bodies are looking into the issue of the idling engines. SKDO has conducted two site inspections at Chan Man Road outside McDonalds and noted that most goods vehicles found loading / unloading at the said location did not have their engines switched off. As an interim measure SKDO will request the police to take enforcement action against the illegal parking. So watch out for police.

Destruction in O-Tau

Apparently there is an illegal bridge in O Tau that leads to a bush site where about 14 houses are to be built. The Government erected grey pillars to stop use of the bridge. Now the foundations of the pillars have been weakened so that they can be moved aside when wanted. The site is the habitat of many wild pigs.

Home for doggies

We've heard of a family who is leaving HK for Australia and at the last moment they've found that their dogs will not be able to move with them as they haven't passed all the necessary tests to enter Australia. If anyone might be interested in taking the dogs in please email info@friendsofsaikung.org If a home is not found for them by the 10th of June the dogs will have to be put down.

Site for auction

A government lot in Sai Kung has been sold for $16.5 million, 65% higher than the opening bid, in the financial year's first land auction. The Pak Sha Wan lot was sold to Sheen Surety. The opening bid was $10 million. The site has an area of about 191.4 square metres and is designated for residences. A minimum gross floor area of 68.9 square metres must be completed.

Change of Coastal Protection area to FishingA/SK-TMT/19

This is an application to change the zoning of this site. This is for an area (Government Land) that seems to be already being used as a fishing area (pay for entry and/or fish they catch), they seem to be applying to change the zoning from Coastal Protection Area to Place of Recreation, Sports & Culture (Recreational Fishing Only) . This information hasn t been confirmed yet, FSK is looking for more information on this petition. If you can help please mail us at info@friendsofsaikung.org We will update this page as soon as we have more information on this issue.

Street Lights - LEGCO notes from meeting held on 2 May 2007

An FSK member has unearthed an interesting document about the issue of the 40 street lights being erected in Pak Tam Au Village on Pak Tam Road in Sai Kung. This was raised in LEGCO on the 2nd May 2007, a number of LEGCO members asked the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works what the procedure was for erecting lights, why it had taken so long to erect them, why had the lights gone up but some were not on, what other lighting projects did the HyD have. The answers were vague but defended the project and the procedures taken, it did not promise any changes and left it inconclusive as to what other similar projects were being considered. For the whole paper (lights issue from page 6312).

Ho Chung river article

The Sunday Morning Post published an article on Sunday (3rd May) about the Ho Chung river works. The article had a fantastic double spread photograph that says it all. As well as the resident referred to in the article other locals have asked to be told what the plans for the river are. The consultant has shown the public around the site and tried to answer their questions. However the fact remains that this is project has been over-engineered, let s hope that DSD s promises to landscape and replant come true. Apparently there will also be some improvements to the Ho Chung road by the pumping station (widening of the road at a blind spot in much need of improvement). For notes from a meeting with the consultant that took place in December 2007 and plans please email info@friendsofsaikung.org

Hiram's Highway Stage 1 - Meeting 1st April 2008

<> Highways Dept. and their consultants (Meinhardt and MVA Hong Kong Ltd.) outlined the plans for Stage 1 of Hiram's Highway. (Actually phase 3 of Stage 1, phases 1 & 2, from Clearwater Bay Road to the Nam Pin Wai roundabout having already been built.) The works - conceived and designed some 10 years ago - are considered necessary because the road is already at "saturation point" and an increase in the number of vehicles (mostly tourists and apparently people coming from TKO) is expected in the future. The attendees opposed the scheme and stressed the fact that the whole project is unnecessary. More information (minutes from the meeting and plans).

Stage 2 Highways Dept. newsletter

<> Highways Dept. has issued their first newsletter in relation to Stage 2 (as mentioned during the consultation forum). This newsletter was distributed to Sai Kung residents last Sunday. If you haven t received it please let Highways Dept. or FSK know (there is a thread in the forum page regarding this) as they would like to improve the circulation of the newsletter. View the newsletter online.

List of public areas in Sai Kung

<> Following the Times Square scandal regarding the use of public spaces in private buildings, here is the list of public areas in Sai Kung. List of sites.

Land clearance in Long Keng O Tau

<> FSK members brought to the attention of District Lands Office (DLO) that there has been considerable tree damage and land clearance just SW of Long Keng. DLO said they had erected ten bollards on the site to limit access but have now realised, surprisingly, that this is part of TP District and have forwarded the bridge issue to DLO TP for action. They have since erected four more bollards on the new bridge; how long will they last?

Damage to Heritage Trail in Wo Liu

<> FSK members brought to the attention of District Lands Office (DLO) the fact that a contractor in Wo Liu was dumping construction waste in the area. The path alongside, on which 50% of the rubble is strewn, is a government concrete path covering the ancient boulder path from Sai Kung via Tai Wan and Kei Ling Ha to Che Ha and it should not be further despoiled in this way. Apparently the contractor says he intends to concrete over the rubble to "improve" the paths. DLO have replied that only 5-10% of the rubble is on government land and they have told the contractor to remove this by end of April. The rest, they feel, is on village land and they have asked their Land Management section to advise the contractor on how to manage it.

Register to vote

<> Only after you have registered as an elector can you exercise your right to vote in the Legislative Council and District Council elections. It is your right to elect your representative to sit on these bodies. If you are eligible to vote in the Election Committee subsector elections, you also need to register as a voter before you can vote at the elections. (Text from the Government web page: http://www.voterregistration.gov.hk/eng/faq.html#2) To register.

No provision for car parking spaces in new applications

<> The approval of village houses without a need for car parking space is a policy that needs reviewing. Applications for new houses are being granted without providing extra spaces for car parking. As each village house can have up to 6 flats that could mean up to 12 cars per house. FSK is investigating how to ask for a policy review. If you are interesting in helping please info@friendsofsaikung.org

Fei Ngo Shan Road

<> Trees along the Fei Ngo Shan Rd (going up to Kowloon Peak) are marked with Highways Dpt. tags suggesting a tree survey has taken place. The survey was carried out on behalf of the lighting division as there has been a request to put lights along the road. FSK has asked Sai Kung District Office to give us more information about this.

A/SK-CWBN/8 - Clear Water Bay Peninsula North - comments until 05/04/2008

<> Application to use the land for an organic farm. The area is below the village Pik Shui Sun Tsuen, north of HKUST and just above Pak Shui Wun. More information
Heritage Trail (Boulder Road/Path/Bridge) Conservation Project - ongoing

The network of traditional paved roads provides important evidence as to how and by what routes Hong Kong's early villages and market towns were interconnected before the development of the modern road and rail system. More information

Burnt Land Ho Chung Valley - March 2008

An extensive area of land was burnt just before Christmas above and below the catchwater in the Ho Chung Valley (just after the Wilson trails goes up the hill). The burning has been investigated by Agriculture and Fisheries Dpt. and by the District Lands Office. Both Departments agreed that there is nothing strange in the burning. The land is private (including the area above the catchwater) and as long as there are no signs of development there is nothing dodgy .