XN000022-1977-08-04 — Page 2

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1977

LANTAU COUNTRY PARK PLANNED ******

THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING STEPS TO GAZETTE THE MAJOR PART OF LANTAU ISLAND AS A COUNTRY PARK. TO PRESERVE RECREATIONAL RESOURCES ON THE SCENIC ISLAND.

THIS IS IN LINE WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A TEAM OF CONSULTANTS WHICH WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1973 TO LOOK INTO THE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON LANTAU AND OTHER SUITABLE PLACES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR. DAVID TSUI, TODAY TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG LIONS CLUB,

THE PROPOSED LANTAU COUNTRY PARK WOULD EXCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN MUI WO, SOUTH LANTAU, TUNG CHUNG AND TAI 0, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN NORTH LANTAU.

+THE COUNTRY PARK AREAS ARE EXPECTED TO ACCOMMODATE A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION USES LIKE SWIMMING, HIKING, PICNICKING AND CAMPING, HE SAID.

THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WOULD IN DUE COURSE PROVIDE THE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES REQUIRED FOR THE OPERATION OF A COUNTRY PARK, HE ADDED.

MR. TSUI SAID OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONSULTANTS INCLUDED:

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THE SETTING UP OF A COASTAL PROTECTION AREA WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ENCOURAGED IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. THE LAND BETWEEN SOUTH LANTAU ROAD AND THE SHORELINE FROM PUI O TO TONG FUK MIU WAN FALLS WITHIN THIS RECOMMENDED CATEGORY-

THE SETTING UP OF CONSERVATION AREAS WHERE VARIOUS DEGREES OF ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE PERMITTED=

THE PROVISION OF LAND ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD FOR PRIVATE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. THREE MINOR TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL LAYOUT PLANS IN SOUTH LANTAU ARE BEING PREPARED AND SOME LAND WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR DISPOSAL BY AUCTION AND EXCHANGES LATER THIS YEAR- AND

* THE CREATION OF AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT RESERVE AREA ON THE

NORTHERN PART OF LANTAU,

MR. TSUI ALSO SPOKE ON THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR MU! WO AND TAI 0.

IN MUI WO, HE SAID, WORK, COSTING ABOUT $19.8 MILLION IS TO START SOON ON LAND FORMATION FOR A $9 MILLION FERRY CONCOURSE- COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SITES NEAR THE PIER RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING FOR 1,200 PEOPLE WHICH SHOULD BE READY BY 1979- VILLAGE-TYPE HOUSING AND WORKSHOP AREAS IN MUI WO VALLEY- AND THE PROVISION OF ROADS AND FOOTPATHS FROM THE PIER TO THE VALLEY.

/IN TAI 0,