HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 22 February 1989
香港立法局 一九八九年二月二十二日
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The Administration is at present considering the provision of alternatives to the oaths so that Justices of the Peace may choose to pledge to serve the people of Hong Kong. We hope to present a proposal to the Executive Council in the near future.
Noise nuisance caused by shipyards on Tsing Yi Island
11. MR. LAM asked: In view of the serious noise nuisance caused to residents of Cheung On Estate and Ching Tai Court on Tsing Yi North by the nearby shipyards, will Government inform this Council:
(a) why arrangements had not been made to resite the shipyards, which are located on sites not zoned for such a purpose on the town development layout plan, prior to the development of the aforementioned estates so as to avoid subjecting the residents to such noise nuisance;
(b) whether the sites on which the existing shipyards stand are leased under
short term tenancies which can be terminated within a short period; and
(c) when the shipyards will be moved out of the site?
SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS: Sir, (a) most of the shipyards at Tsing Yi North moved from Cheung Sha Wan over 20 years ago. Previously they were largely involved in building and repairing wooden junks, the noise level of which was not too serious. However, due to the decline in the traditional shipbuilding business, these shipyards have increasingly turned to repairing lighters which involve intense hammering of metal hulls, thus creating a noise nuisance.
(b). Of the 30 odd shipyards there, all but three are on short-term tenancies. Although it is possible to terminate these tenancies when their terms are up, their history is complex, and we consider that, in all fairness, they should only be cancelled when alternative sites are available.
(c) Our intention is to move the shipyards further away from the residential estates along the Tsing Yi North shore. This will involve some reclamation and the construction of an access road. We are planning to advance the undertaking of these works to March 1991 for completion in September 1992. The shipyards can be relocated from their present site after that, that is, in 1992-93.