XN000022-1995-07-05 — Page 78

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(vii)Middle Bay) Sewerage construction works have been completed.

Connections to premises are to be carried out by

owners.

(B)

Sai Kung District

J

Beach

(i) Silverstrand

Target Date for Completion

Sewerage construction works are scheduled for completion in 1998.

After the completion of the construction of the sewerage and the connections to premises, we expect that the water quality at these eight beaches will improve substantially. Members may, however, also wish to know that sewerage works carried out in other areas, albeit not in the vicinity of beaches, may also contribute to improving the water quality of beaches generally.

The inter-departmental committee formed to look into water sports facilities, commenced work in late February 1995. Up to the present moment, the committee has concentrated on reviewing the facilities and usage of existing waters sports

centres.

There are at present seven public waters sports centres. Three are managed by the Regional Council and four by voluntary agencies. Our review has shown that the average usage of the centres managed by the voluntary agencies is generally low. While those centres under the Regional Council are able to achieve an annual utilisation rate of 72% and a rate of 94% during the summer months, the centres managed by the voluntary agencies are only able to reach an average annual utilisation rate of 44% and a rate of 50% during the summer months.

We are exploring ways and means to improve the usage of these water sports centres managed by the voluntary agencies. We shall also keep the situation under observation in close co-operation with the voluntary agencies.

The committee will move on to a review of the existing beach facilities later in the year. This review will also cover the need for and the feasibility of developing new beaches as well as the options in this regard.