24
Wednesday, October 31, 1973
Referring to "the pressing need for recreational facilities,"
he questioned whether there was any reason why the development of Ma Wan
Island should not be accorded higher priority.
He noted that the island was zoned predominantly for recreational
use and an approved zoning plan existed since 1969. As Ma Wan was literally
a stepping stone from Tsing Yi to Lantau, its development appeared to him
to be a prerequisite to that of Lantau.
Mr. Szeto referred to the many projects formulated by the two
advisory committees for Recreation Development and Nature Conservation
which should soon pass the planning stage to implementation, and expressed
the hope that these projects would be given a high priority rating "as
three years had elapsed since the committees were formed."
There was a danger, he added, that the plans might be interpreted
by the public as another instance of "jam tomorrow."
In his view, the development of nearby islands for recreation
purposes must be considered as a long-term plan
Lantau, Lama and Ma Wan.
Private enterprise, he went on, could play an important role in
the development of the New Territories, and he called for more land to be
made available in the new towns for better private housing development
by pushing back the green belts adjoining them on hillsides.
Citing Sha Tin as an example, he felt the higher grounds on both
sides of the valley were suitable for large scale private residential
development of low density.
/Mr. Szeto