Page 148 of 182
286
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
animal wastes into streams as a major source of pollution. Another serious problem is the pollution caused by factory effluent discharged directly into the storm water drainage system'. The Government, in fact, knows clearly that the industrial sector should be held very much responsible for the present polluted environment but has so far evaded tackling the main factor. The Government should directly ask these 'capitalists', the polluters, to solve the pollution problem. Moreover, despite a large amount of tax-payers' money having been spent on the establishment of an Environmental Protection Department and various types of surveys, it dare not impose any vigorous control measures on these 'capitalists'. Is it because of concern about the markets and the increase in production costs of the capitalists that all Hong Kong residents have to bear a much greater cost?
It is a common desire that we can enjoy a beautiful and comfortable environment. The pure and fresh air and sunlight are indispensable to human life. We must take the initiative to criticize the existing evils and exert pressure on the Government to do what it should but has not yet done. We have to air our views on plans for the future with the aim of improving our future environment because we must work not only for ourselves but also for our offspring.
I hope that the Government will be able to formulate comprehensive guidelines and policy instead of just those piecemeal individual problem-solving plans when the White Paper on environmental pollution is announced in July this year. We all know that any temporary remedies cannot help solve the basic problem. We must have foresight and a broad view of the whole matter in order to solve it completely.
A publicity campaign should also be launched among residents to foster a sense of environmental protection. It is not unless we have the participation of residents that we can achieve our aim of protecting the environment. In this respect, our Council may co-ordinate with relevant departments in propagating the message of environmental protection. At the same time, our Council may propose to the Government the introduction of certain laws on the prevention of pollution and environmental cleanliness.
Finally, as my conclusion, may I quote once again part of the speech of Sir Edward delivered on 4 October 1984:
'Our effort must not only be directed to the development of Hong Kong; we must also protect the environment in which we live and work'. ((6)(f) Paragraph 97)
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support your motion.
(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG and Dr. Ronald D. B. LEUNG arrived at 2:33 p.m. and 2:39 p.m. respectively.)
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Recreation Select Committee of the Urban Council exercises powers and functions relating to the provision and maintenance of amenity and sports facilities; the provision and horticultural management of gardens, landscaped areas, and nurseries; and the promotion of physical recreation and sports activities. This year, in particular, has seen each of these areas of responsibility being fully exercised.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 148 of 182
287
The formal opening of the Lei Yue Mun Park and holiday village in November 1988 was a highlight of the year. This one project epitomises all aspects of the Recreation Select Committee's responsibilities. The site of the former Lei Yue Mun Barracks was handed over to the Council on 1 September 1987. Within the space of barely 8 months, the basic park was opened to day visitors, since which time sports facilities, overnight camping, and a demonstration nursery have been introduced. The Park can now cater for 290 overnight campers and 150 day campers, as well as special interest horticultural groups. The site is also used by sports associations, schools, and other groups.
Other major park developments featured prominently in the work of the Recreation Select Committee. Work on Hong Kong Park got underway in August 1988, and, as I speak, the site is just about to enter the second phase of development. The project is on target for completion in 1991. The Kowloon Park development has reached its climax. The Governor will open this magnificent new Park early in the new year.
The Recreation Select Committee has been concerned with a significant number of development projects throughout the year. 80 new active and 93 passive recreational facilities are now being developed at a total cost of $198 million.
The Council's recreational and sports services have also had a busy year, with a total of 7,250 community and sports activities being organized for 260,500 participants at a cost of $8.4 million. This represents a 33% increase over the number of programmes in 1987, an increase made possible by the completion of major recreational facilities, in particular the District Fitness Centres in Fa Yuen Street Complex, Kowloon Park, Aberdeen Complex, and Sheung Wan Complex.
The Sports Promotion Office contributed $5 million directly to sports associations for sports training courses. Over 200 events have taken place as a result of this sponsorship.
1988 has also seen major developments in the work of the Gardens and Education Unit, which has been particularly successful in promoting an interest in the environment through 788 education programmes and tours of Urban Council nurseries and parks organized for over 31,000 participants. It is most interesting to note that participants in these horticultural programmes are drawn from all walks of life, including teachers, students, businessmen, and others with an interest in nature.
The Olympic Games in Korea provided an opportunity for Hong Kong people to see some of the world's leading athletes in action in the territory. On 12 and 14 September, the Council co-hosted a series of water polo matches.
Page 148 of 182
Page 148 of 182
286
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
animal wastes into streams as a major source of pollution. Another serious problem is the pollution caused by factory effluent discharged directly into the storm water drainage system'. The Government in fact, knows clearly that the industrial sector should be held very much responsible for the present polluted environment but has so far, evaded tackling the main factor. The Government should directly ask these 'capitalists', the polluters, to solve the pollution prob- lem. Moreover, despite that a large amount of tax-payers' money has been spent on the establishment of an Environmental Protection Department and the various types of surveys, it dare not impose any vigorous control measures on these 'capitalists'. Is it because of the concern about the markets and the in- crease in production costs of the capitalists that all the Hong Kong residents have but to bear a much greater cost?
It is a common desire that we can enjoy a beautiful and comfortable en- vironment. The pure and fresh air and sunlight are indispensable to human life. We must take the initiative to criticize the existing evils and to exert pressure on the Government for what it should do but has not yet done. We have to air our views on the plans of the future with the aim of improving our future environ- ment because we must work for not only ourselves but also our offspring.
I hope that the Government will be able to formulate comprehensive guidelines and policy instead of just those piece-meal individual problem- solving plans, when the white paper on environmental pollution is announced in July this year. We all know that any temporary remedies cannot help solving the basic problem. We must have foresight and a broad view of the whole matter in order to solve it completely.
Publicity campaign should also be launched among the residents to foster the sense of environmental protection. It is not unless we have the participation of the residents that we can achieve our aim of protecting the environment. In this respect our Council may co-ordinate with the relevant departments in propagating the message of environmental protection. At the same time our Council may propose to the Government the introduction of certain laws on the prevention of pollution an environmental cleanliness.
Finally, as my conclusion, may I quote once again part of the speech of Sir Edward delivered on 4 October 1984-
'Our effort must not only be directed to the development of Hong Kong, we must also protect the environment in which we live our work'. ((6)(ƒ) Paragraph 97)
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support your motion.
(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG and Dr. Ronald D. B. LEUNG arrived at 2.33 p.m. and 2.39 p.m. respectively.)
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Recreation Select Committee of the Urban Council exercises powers and functions relating to the provision and maintenance of amenity and sports facilities; the provision
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 148 of 182
287
and horticultural management of gardens, landscaped areas and nurseries and the promotion of physical recreation and sports activities. This year in particu- lar has seen each of these areas of responsibility being fully exercised.
The formal opening of the Lei Yue Mun Park and holiday village in November 1988 was a highlight of the year. This one project epitomises all aspects of the Recreation Select Committee's responsibilities. The site of the former Lye Yue Mun Barracks was handed over to the Council on 1 September 1987. Within the space of barely 8 months the basic park was opened to day visitors, since which time sport facilities; overnight camping, and a demon- stration nursery have been introduced. The Park can now cater for 290 over- night campers and 150 day campers as well as special interest horticultural groups. The site is also used by sports associations, schools and other groups.
Other major park development featured prominently of the work of the Re- creation Select Committec. Work on Hong Kong Park got underway in August 1988 and, as I speak, the site is just about to enter the second phase of the de- velopment. The project is on target for completion in 1991. The Kowloon Park development has reached its climax. The Governor will open this magnificent new Park early in the new year.
The Recreation Select Committee has been concerned with a significant number of development projects throughout the year. 80 new active and 93 passive recreational facilities are now being developed at a total cost of $198 million.
The Council's recreational and sports services has also had a busy year with a total of 7 250 community and sports activities being organized for 260 500 participants at a cost of $8.4 million. This represents a 33% increase over the number of programmes in 1987; an increase made possible by the completion of major recreational facilities, in particular; the District Fitness Centres in Fa Yuen Street Complex, Kowloon Park, Aberdeen Complex and Sheung Wan Complex.
The Sports Promotion Office contributed $5 million directly to sports associations for sport training courses. Over 200 events have taken place as a result of this sponsorship.
1988 has also seen major developments in the work of the Gardens and Education Unit which has been particularly successful in promoting an in- terest in the environment through 788 education programmes and tours of Urban Council nursery and parks organized for over 31 000 participants. It is most interesting to note that participants in these horticultural programmes are drawn from all walks of life including teachers, students, businessmen and others with an interest in nature.
The Olympic games in Korea provided an opportunity for Hong Kong people to see some of the world's leading athletes in action in the territory. On 12 and 14 September the Council co-hosted a series of waterpolo matches
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.