Director of Public Works, Hong Kong.
Sir,
( Summarized Translation )
Annex D
12 Mosque St., Basement, Hong Kong.
8th September, 1978,
E. GM 2208 del 1.9.78.
I have recently learnt from the newspaper that Government proposes to grant a lease of an area of sea bed to be known as A.I.L.397 at Shek Pai Wan, Aberdeen, for the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gas. As I have been working in Aberdeen area, I am quite aware of the environmental condition and development on the southern part of Hong Kong Island, objection to the said proposal on the under-mentioned grounds, while presenting
I hereby raise my my personal views on issue.
A. Reasons for objecting to the use of the subject area for the
manufacture and storage of gas:-
(1) The subject area is merely 1⁄4 mile away from the Hong Kong
Electric Company's power plant, in which petroleum is burnt to general electricity. Thus, it is like locating two dynamite stores together side by side. In such cases as oil leakage (that has occurred many times in the past), boiler accidents, gas leakage, disruptions of the overhead high voltage transmission cables, or unexpected natural calamities such as earthquakes and so forth, a grave disaster may erupt, directly affecting the supply of electricity and power for the entire Hong Kong Island.
(2) The subject area is located at the western entrance to the
Aberdeen typhoon shelter which is the gathering spot of fishing boats and fishermen. In addition, within a one-mile radius of the subject area are sited the Wah Fu Estate, two private residential developments opposite it, and Tin Wan, Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and typhoon shelter residential areas with a total population of over 200,000. Thus, if the subject area is used for the proposed purposes, it will pose serious danger as well as a rather severe psychological threat to these residents, besides causing environmental pollution.
B. I therefore suggest that the manufacture or storage of gas should be carried out at one of the following locations that are at least 2 miles away from the said Hong Kong Electric Co. power plant:-
(a) a bay within Tai Ten Harbour,
(b) Pɔ Chong Wan reclamation area or Tai Shue Wan, to the east of
Aberdeen Harbour or on the west of the Brick Hill peninsula, (c) a bay on the east of Yuk Kwai Shan on Ap Li Chau,
(a) the eastern section of Lamma Island.
or
Qcha
1-7919
( Sd. )
IAI Wai-kwok