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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A further project at Repulse Bay is the construction of a small sun-bathing area over some boulders at the eastern end. A notification calling for objections under the Public Reclamations and Works Ordinance was published in the Government Gazette in February last. No objections were received; it is expected that the work will start soon.
MR. FORSGATE:- Mr. Chairman, could I enquire when this project at Repulse Bay will be completed? Will it be completed for the swimming season next year?
MR. SALES:- Sir, I am not conscious of the timetable that has been set up for this, but we will certainly be very happy to urge the Public Works Department to complete the project in time for the swimming season 1971.
MR. FORSGATE:- With regard to the larger issue, with the extension of the sitting-out areas, this has been raised in the Select Committee before and the same sort of answer was given, that we would have to have an investigation into the effect of a further reclamation. Well, I think the mass exodus to the beaches this year has caught us all by surprise and I think this should be given every sense of urgency now.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I could not agree more with my Friend Mr. FORSGATE; we have been, in fact, urging the Government for so long, Sir, the Government has lost its sense of urgency. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:- It would still be a great pity, wouldn't it if the beach was washed away, because of our haste. (Laughter).
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- I am glad you said that, Mr. Chairman; I was going to say that I hope the Ancient Mariner was not suggesting we interfere with winds, waves and water. (Laughter).
MR. FORSGATE:- Mr. Chairman, I recognize a red herring- (laughter) may I ask question number 10.
CHAIRMAN:- I wish you would, Mr. FORSGATE.
(10) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question:-
What are the arrangements for cleaning the beaches on the Island and the Mainland?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Sir, the following arrangements are made for cleaning beaches.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
11 of the 13 gazetted beaches controlled by the Urban Council are cleaned by full-time Urban Services Department labourers, while the other two beaches, at Rocky Bay and Lai Chi Kok, are cleaned by Beach Attendants when they are not engaged on their principal duty of safeguarding life. The number of labourers ranges from 5 each at the most heavily-used beaches, such as Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay, to 1 each at less popular beaches like Turtle Cove and Hair Pin. Apart from cleaning the beaches, these staff are also responsible for looking after the public beach buildings.
Since the start of the swimming season on 1st April, over 13,000 baskets of refuse have been collected at these 13 beaches. The largest collection has been at Shek O, with some 2,770 baskets, followed by Rocky Bay with 1,960 baskets. By contrast, the smallest collections have been at Turtle Cove, with 440 baskets, and Hair Pin, with 280.
A certain amount of refuse floats in on the tide, and to counter this the Department carried out experiments last winter with a refuse boom at a number of beaches. These experiments were abortive because considerable lengths of the net were removed or otherwise damaged. The Department is still examining this problem.
There have been complaints about the cleanliness of beaches. More notices encouraging swimmers to keep their beaches tidy will be put up and a publicity campaign is being considered. But I must emphasize that the remedy is primarily in the hands of beach users themselves: a little more consideration on their part would make a great deal of difference. This, our Council knows only too well, applies to all Hong Kong: streets, parks, the harbour, etc.
Mr. FORSGATE's question is most timely as it affords me an opportunity to make this appeal to the public to assist us in keeping beaches clean for their better enjoyment by all.
MR. HU:- I think, Mr. Chairman, before I ask the next question, I must congratulate the Appointed Members for their timely questions in this meeting. In my five or six years I have never seen the Appointed Members with so many questions as in this meeting. (Laughter).
MR. FORSGATE:- Give it with one hand and take it away with the other. (Laughter).
MR. HU:- I really must congratulate the efforts the Appointed Members have made and...
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Page 64 of 241
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
A further project at Repulse Bay is the construction of a small sun-bathing area over some boulders at the eastern end. A notification calling for objections under the Public Rec- lamations and Works Ordinance was published in the Government Gazette in February last. No objections were received; it is expected that the work will start soon.
MR. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, could I enquire when this project at Repulse Bay will be completed? Will it be completed for the swimming season next year?
MR. SALES-Sir, I am not conscious of the timetable that has been set up for this, but we will certainly be very happy to urge the Public Works Department to complete the project in time for the swimming season 1971.
MR. FORSGATE:-With regard to the larger issue, with the extension of the sitting-out areas, this has been raised in the Select Committee before and the same sort of answer was given, that we would have to have an investigation into the effect of a further reclamation. Well, I think the mass exodus to the beaches this year has caught us all by surprise and I think this should be given every sense of urgency now.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I could not agree more with my Friend Mr. FORSGATE; we have been, in fact, urging the Government for so long, Sir, the Government has lost its sense of urgency. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:-It would still be a great pity, wouldn't it if the beach was washed away, because of our haste. (Laughter).
man,
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I am glad you said that, Mr. Chair- I was going to say that I hope the Ancient Mariner was not suggesting we interfere with winds, waves and water. (Laughter).
MR. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, I recognize a red herring- (laughter) may I ask question number 10.
CHAIRMAN: -I wish you would, Mr. FORSGATE.
(10) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question:-
What are the arrangements for cleaning the beaches on the
Island and the Mainland?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Sir, the following arrangements are made for cleaning beaches.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
109
11 of the 13 gazetted beaches controlled by the Urban Council are cleaned by full-time Urban Services Department la- bourers, while the other two beaches, at Rocky Bay and Lai Chi Kok, are cleaned by Beach Attendants when they are not engaged on their principal duty of safeguarding life. The number of labourers ranges from 5 each at the most heavily-used beaches, such as Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay, to 1 each at less popular beaches like Turtle Cove and Hair Pin. Apart from cleaning the beaches, these staff are also responsible for looking after the public beach buildings.
Since the start of the swimming season on 1st April, over 13,000 baskets of refuse have been collected at these 13 beaches. The largest collection has been at Shek O, with some 2,770 baskets, followed by Rocky Bay with 1,960 baskets. By contrast, the smallest collections have been at Turtle Cove, with 440 baskets, and Hair Pin, with 280.
A certain amount of refuse floats in on the tide, and to counter this the Department carried out experiments last winter with a refuse boom at a number of beaches. These experiments were abortive because considerable lengths of the net were removed or otherwise damaged. The Department is still examining this problem.
There have been complaints about the cleanliness of beaches. More notices encouraging swimmers to keep their beaches tidy will be put up and a publicity campaign is being con- sidered. But I must emphasize that the remedy is pri- marily in the hands of beach users themselves: a little more consideration on their part would make a great deal of difference. This, our Council knows only too well, applies to all Hong Kong: streets, parks, the harbour, etc.
Mr. FoRSGATE's question is most timely as it afffords me an opportunity to make this appeal to the public to assist us in keeping beaches clean for their better enjoyment by all.
MR. HU-I think, Mr. Chairman, before I ask the next question, I must congratulate the Appointed Members for their timely questions in this meeting. In my five or six years I have never seen the Appointed Members with so many questions as in this meeting. (Laughter).
MR. FORSGATE:-Give it with one hand and take it away with the other. (Laughter).
MR. HU:-I really must congratulate the efforts the Appointed Members have made and.
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