Page 100 of 120
Page 100 or 12
166
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
By our own experience, refuse black spots tend to remain black spots, and litter breeds litter, because so many people not surprisingly say, 'what difference does it make if I throw a little more since the street is so dirty anyway'. Littering is an anti-social behaviour which can have a snowballing effect fierce enough to smother any new efforts by the Council to really make Hong Kong clean.
Hong Kong is a commercial city, and in fact so commercialized that to many people the only sweet music is the jingle of coins, and the only worth while piece of script is a bank note. The mentality of so many people is such that the only language closest to the heart (or pocket rather) that is understood is the language of Dollars and Cents. That being the case, Mr. Chairman, we must hit hardest where it hurts most by setting stiff fines and rigid penalties. Since all residents have as of lately been required by law to carry identity cards or equivalent means of identification at all times, there is no reason why we should not have a fixed penalty system for littering offences, similar to that used for parking offences. This would streamline procedures and make litter wardens more productive by eliminating the need for them to attend court as witnesses, and allowing them more time out on the road catching litter-bugs. Consideration ought to be given for powers to be conferred on all traffic wardens, beat policemen, in fact perhaps all personnel of the disciplinary forces, whether regular or auxiliary, whether on duty or off duty, to issue litter penalty tickets on the spot. I think we need a larger enforcement network because although the two hundred litter wardens we have in the whole of Hong Kong are issuing some 5,000 summonses a month, it is obviously not stemming the flood of litter on the streets.
Another precious commodity in the eyes of Hong Kong people, apart from money, is time. Therefore, we should also seriously consider, at least for the duration of the forthcoming campaign, whether or not offending litter bugs ought to be compelled to clean up some refuse black-spots in lieu of or in addition to a fine. If that were done, at least the public would benefit by offenders having to pay for their sins with some service.
In case it is thought that my suggestions are cracking a nut with a sledge hammer, we must not lose sight of the fact that there is no real reason this day and age for anyone needing to throw litter, especially when the walking time to the next litter bin is less than one minute.
Recreation
Turning to a more pleasant subject, I wish to speak on recreation. The last decade has seen an unprecedented explosion in recreation, and at the same time a marked increase in recreational facilities. The provision of more facilities has an effect of creating a demand for even more, and judging from recent revelations of an increased crime rate amongst younger people, there is an obvious need to provide more outlets for young people to pursue worthwhile and healthy pastimes.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
167
Although the projects mentioned earlier are of the finest quality and in some cases of international standard, the shortage of both land in Hong Kong and money in the Council are undoubtedly restraints in the way of providing more on such a grand scale.
The shortage of land here means that Hong Kong has to look for methods unique to itself in providing recreational facilities, and one of the areas to look at is beneath flyovers. As far as I am aware, planning of facilities underneath flyovers is not undertaken, or even considered at an early stage, and whatever use we have put to space under flyovers has been the result of afterthoughts only. One of the greatest obstacles to utilizing flyover space is access, but once a flyover is completed, it will probably be too late to change any features of the construction to facilitate access. It would be better if not only those Government Departments concerned with traffic, but also those concerned with recreation or hygiene and sanitary facilities got together at an early stage of planning. Although it might be too late already, may I suggest that the rather enormous spaces underneath the new flyover from Hung Hom along Ma Tau Wei Road can be put to good use for recreation? Victoria Barracks is also a sore example of the pressures of land shortage resulting in recreational space being relegated to slopes and woody hills. Tempting as it may to let it remain an enclave for passive recreation, may I make a plea for a balance of active recreation here, by considering a fitness cum jogging trail and a standard public swimming pool? I would also suggest that a children's zoo with touch and feel facilities at Victoria Barracks would serve well in complementing the Botanical Gardens not too far away, and provide a rewarding and educating pastime for parents and children alike. At this point, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a special note for the handicapped. The Council has taken steps to provide facilities for the handicapped, and these are visually obvious from as close as the City Hall high block. All of our new swimming complexes and new toilets also have made provision for usage by persons in wheelchairs. However, we must not be satisfied that providing amenities is the end of the matter, otherwise we could fall into the trap of putting in facilities regardless of whether they are practical or truly utilized, and if it came to that stage, window dressing would be the result. Helping the disabled goes beyond constructing facilities and amenities.
Disabled persons have a need for recreation and culture just like any able-bodied person, and the Council has in the past generously sponsored sports events for the disabled. I hope the generosity can be extended to giving special consideration to organized groups of handicapped persons when it comes to booking for cultural performances and the annual allocation of bathing sheds on Hong Kong's beaches.
The Urban Services Department has been one of the Government Departments employing the highest number of disabled persons, and this is despite
Page 100
Page 101
Page 100 of 120
Page 100 or 12
166
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
By our own experience, refuse black spots tend to remain black spots, and litter breeds litter, because so many people not surprisingly say, 'what difference does it make if I throw a little more since the street is so dirty
anyway'. Littering is an anti-social behaviour which can have a
snowballing
effect fierce enough to smother any new efforts by the Council to really make Hong Kong clean.
Hong Kong is a commercial city, and in fact so commercialized that to many people the only sweet music is the jingle of coins, and the only worth while piece of script is a bank note. The mentality of so many people is such that the only language closest to the heart (or pocket rather) that is under- stood is the language of Dollars and Cents. That being the case, Mr. Chairman, we must hit hardest where it hurts most by setting stiff fines and rigid penalties. Since all residents have as of lately been required by law to carry identity cards or equivalent means of identification at all times, there is no reason why we should not have a fixed penalty system for littering offences, similar to that used for parking offences. This would streamline procedures and make litter wardens more productive by eliminating the need for them to attend court as witnesses, and allowing them more time out on the road catching litter-bugs. Consideration ought to be given for powers to be conferred on all traffic wardens, beat policemen, in fact perhaps all personnel of the disciplinary forces, whether regular or auxiliary, whether on duty or off duty, to issue litter penalty tickets on the spot. I think we need a larger enforce- ment network because although the two hundred litter wardens we have in the whole of Hong Kong are issuing some 5 000 summonses a month, it is obviously not stemming the flood of litter on the streets.
Another precious commodity in the eyes of Hong Kong people, apart from money, is time. Therefore, we should also seriously consider, at least for the duration of the forthcoming campaign, whether or not offending litter bugs ought to be compelled to clean up some refuse black-spots in lieu of or in addition to a fine. If that were done, at least the public would benefit by offenders having to pay for their sins with some service.
In case it is thought that my suggestions are cracking a nut with a sledge hammer, we must not lose sight of the fact that there is no real reason this day and age for anyone needing to throw litter, especially when the walking time to the next litter bin is less than one minute.
Recreation
Turning to a more pleasant subject, I wish to speak on recreation. The last decade has seen an unprecedented explosion in recreation, and at the same time a marked increase in recreational facilities. The provision of more facilities has an effect of creating a demand for even more, and judging from recent revelations of an increased crime rate amongst younger people, there is an obvious need to provide more outlets for young people to pursue worth- while and healthy pastimes.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
167
Although the projects mentioned earlier are of the finest quality and in some cases of international standard, the shortage of both land in Hong Kong and money in the Council are undoubtedly restraints in the way of
providing
more on such a grand scale.
The shortage of land here means that Hong Kong has to look for methods unique to itself in providing recreational facilities, and one of the areas to look at is beneath flyovers. As far as I am aware, planning of facilities underneath flyovers is not undertaken, or even considered at an early stage, and whatever use we have put to space under flyovers has been the result of afterthoughts only. One of the greatest obstacles to utilizing flyover space is access, but once a flyover is completed, it will probably be too late to change any features of the construction to facilitate access. It would be better if not only those Government Departments concerned with traffic, but also those concerned with recreation or hygiene and sanitary facilities got together at an early stage of planning. Although it might be too late already, may I suggest that the rather enormous spaces underneath the new flyover from Hung Hom along Ma Tau Wei Road can be put to good use for recreation? Victoria Barracks is also a sore example of the pressures of land shortage resulting in recreational space being relegated to slopes and woody hills. Tempting as it may to let it remain an enclove for passive recreation, may I make a plea for a balance of active recreation here, by considering a fitness cum jogging trail and a standard public swimming pool? I would also suggest that a children's zoo with touch and feel facilities at Victoria Barracks would serve well in complementing the Botanical Gardens not too far away, and provide a rewarding and educating pastime for parents and children alike. At this point, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a special note for the handicapped. The Council has taken steps to provide facilities for the handicapped, and these are visually obvious from as close as the City Hall high block. All of our new swimming complexes and new toilets also have made provision for usage by persons in wheelchairs. However, we must not be satisfied that providing amenities is the end of the matter, otherwise we could fall into the trap of putting in facilities regardless of whether they are practical or truly utilized, and if it came to that stage, window dressing would be the result. Helping the disabled goes beyond constructing facilities and amenities.
Disabled persons have a need for recreation and culture just like any able- bodied person, and the Council has in the past generously sponsored sports events for the disabled. I hope the generosity can be extended to giving special consideration to organized groups of handicapped persons when it comes to booking for cultural performances and the annual allocation of bathing sheds on Hong Kong's beaches.
The Urban Services Department has been one of the Government Depart- ments employing the highest number of disabled persons, and this is despite
Page 100Page 101
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.