Page 101 of 382
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the Western District and one in Shu Kuk Street at North Point. Play equipment for both playgrounds has already been ordered. Plans have been drawn up for another street playground in Shau Kei Wan and these are under consideration by the various departments concerned. Preliminary investigations have started into an additional 20 possible sites.
With regard to the second part of the question, I think that the most appropriate method of furthering the Council's interest in this matter is by the Urban Services Department intensifying its search for suitable sites in conjunction with the Public Works Department, the Police, the Fire Services and the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. All are fully conscious of the value of measures to keep young children happily and safely occupied.
MR. FUNG: Sir, the idea of having these playgrounds was suggested by me 3 or 4 years ago and I really am very depressed to see that only one is available up to this moment. Can this plan be expedited much faster, Sir?
CHAIRMAN: Attempts will be made to do so, Sir.
MR. LI: Mr. Chairman, I think in the naming of the various departments you have left out the Social Welfare Department which has a very keen interest in the activities of our young boys and girls.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE: Mr. Chairman, I am certainly very much interested in these street playgrounds and I think that a number of voluntary welfare agencies of which the department is in touch, might be able to make suggestions and perhaps be able to assist them one way or another to move this programme forward and I will see what can be done in that line.
(19) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
Because of the interest long shown by this Council in setting up parks, playgrounds and nature reserves and in generally preserving existing open space, will you please state whether you have been consulted by Government on their plans? Will you also tell us whether you have been assured by Government that this Council will be fully informed of any such project which Government may carry out?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
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In respect of the urban areas the planning and execution of all park and playground projects is a joint effort by Government and this Council, and I think it is true to say there is an almost continuous two-way process of consultation.
Regarding nature reserves, two reports were compiled in April this year. One was a report of a working party to consider the scientific aspects of nature conservation in Hong Kong with particular reference to nature reserves. This working party was convened by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, and this department did not participate.
The second report, which dealt with conservation of the Hong Kong countryside, was the work of Dr. and Mrs. TALBOT, of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and National Resources, who were engaged as consultants to the Hong Kong Government. This department was consulted on certain aspects of the investigations undertaken by Dr. and Mrs. TALBOT.
These two reports have not yet been fully considered and the stage has not yet been reached where Government is able to translate their recommendations into plans for the future.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. But I will, if you wish, ascertain Government's intention in the matter.
(20) DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:
Would the Chairman inquire if there is any time regulation governing the piling on building sites and drilling on the roads? These seem to carry on from early morning till after 8 p.m. in the evening. As the noise they make causes great disturbance to the residents in the neighbourhood and thus affects their health both mentally and physically, would it be possible to restrict them to certain hours of the day, and to take measures to ensure that this restriction is adhered to?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:
There are no regulations governing the hours of piling on building sites and drilling on roads.
Page 101 of 382
Page 101 of 382
180
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
the Western District and one in Shu Kuk Street at North Point. Play equipment for both playgrounds has already been ordered. Plans have been drawn up for another street playground in Shau Kei Wan and these are under consideration by the various departments concerned. Pre- liminary investigations have started into an additional 20 possible sites.
With regard to the second part of the question, I think that the most appropriate method of furthering the Council's interest in this matter is by the Urban Services Department intensifying its search for suitable sites in conjunction with the Public Works Department, the Police, the Fire Services and the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. All are fully conscious of the value of measures to keep young children happily and safely occupied.
MR. FUNG: Sir, the idea of having these playgrounds was sug- gested by me 3 or 4 years ago and I really am very depressed to see that only one is available up to this moment. Can this plan be expedited much faster, Sir?
CHAIRMAN:---Attempts will be made to do so, Sir.
MR. LI: Mr. Chairman, I think in the naming of the various departments you have left out the Social Welfare Department which has a very keen interest in the activities of our young boys and girls.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE: -Mr. Chairman, I am certainly very much interested in these street playgrounds and I think that a number of voluntary welfare agencies of which the department is in touch, might be able to make suggestions and perhaps be able to assist them one way or another to move this programme forward and I will see what can be done in that line.
(19) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
Because of the interest long shown by this Council in setting up parks, playgrounds and nature reserves and in generally preserving existing open space, will you please state whether you have been consulted by Government on their plans? Will you also tell us whether you have been assured by Government that this Council will be fully in- formed of any such project which Government may carry out?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
181
In respect of the urban areas the planning and execution of all park and playground projects is a joint effort by Government and this Council, and I think it is true to say there is an almost continuous two-way process of con- sultation.
Regarding nature reserves, two reports were compiled in April this year. One was a report of a working party to con- sider the scientific aspects of nature conservation in Hong This Kong with particular reference to nature reserves. working party was convened by the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, and this department did not participate.
The second report, which dealt with conservation of the Hong Kong countryside, was the work of Dr. and Mrs. TALBOT, of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and National Resources, who were engaged as consultants to the Hong Kong Government. This department was consulted on certain aspects of the investigations under- taken by Dr. and Mrs. TALBOT.
These two reports have not yet been fully considered and the stage has not yet been reached where Government is able to translate their recommendations into plans for the future.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. But I will, if you wish, ascertain Government's intention in the matter.
(20) DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:
Would the Chairman inquire if there is any time regulation governing the piling on building sites and drilling on the roads? These seem to carry on from early morning till after 8 p.m. in the evening. As the noise they make causes great disturbance to the residents in the neighbour- hood and thus affects their health both mentally and physically, would it be possible to restrict them to certain hours of the day, and to take measures to ensure that this restriction is adhered to?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-
There are no regulations governing the hours of piling on
building sites and drilling on roads.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.