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Enforcement action will be stepped up to deter those who ignore the message and continue littering streets. Contacts will be maintained to impress upon the judiciary to hand down heavier penalties for repeated offenders to enhance the success of enforcement efforts.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):- Mr. Chairman, there has been criticism that the theme "Keep Hong Kong Clean" has become outdated and therefore ineffective. Are there any plans for a new initiative to attract greater public attention and focus on a more positive environmental theme?
DR. LEUNG PING-CHUNG (in English):- Yes, Mr. Chairman, incidentally this topic has been discussed at rather great length during our previous and last Public Health Select Committee and I am sure that further discussion and a more formal action will be taken in due course.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, in the past 20 years, whilst the Clean Hong Kong Campaign has been educating members of the public not to throw litter, have members of the public, particularly young people and businessmen, been educated to reduce the production of waste so that this campaign can have a new direction?
DR. LEUNG PING-CHUNG (in Cantonese): The previous focal point on education is placed on young people and also on those old people, who have the greatest tendency in disposing litter. The previous practice was more remedial. Now it is the right time for us to take a more positive step to reduce the production of litter or waste and to look into the possibility of recycling. This question is related to that of Mrs. Elsie Tu. The Health Education Sub-Committee is now looking into the matter and it is hoped that in due course some plans will materialise.
2. THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG asked the following question (in Cantonese): In response to Government's consultation exercise of the GREEN PAPER by the Working Party on the Rehabilitation Policies and Services on 'Equal Opportunities and Full Participation', will this Council inform the public whether adequate recreational facilities and services as well as suitable sporting events and programmes have been provided to the disabled persons in order to meet their social, recreational and sporting needs and to encourage their active participation in community life?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-
This question asks whether
(a) adequate recreational facilities and services; and
(b) suitable sporting events and programmes,
have been provided in order to meet the special needs of disabled persons and to encourage their participation in community life.
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May I confirm that the Council's long-standing objective is to contribute, wherever possible, in helping to integrate the disabled into the community. In so far as sports and recreation are concerned, this is achieved in two ways.
First, when developing the Council's recreational projects, particular care is taken to facilitate access and use by the disabled. Usually, additional features, such as ramps, dropped kerbs, and specially designed toilets are provided to meet the needs of the handicapped.
Apart from these special arrangements for access, we have also provided other features. For example, in Victoria Park, the scented garden was developed for the enjoyment of blind people. And, in Carpenter Road Playground, we have installed special play equipment for use by disabled children.
Secondly, the Council's sports and recreation programmes are also geared towards integrating people with disabilities into community life. Wherever possible, we are keen to encourage them to participate in our regular sporting programmes and activities. Some examples include the Queen's Birthday Celebration, to be held next weekend, and during our regular Fun Days and District Festivals.
The department also works very closely with the Sports Associations to develop and promote a wide range of specially designed activities and competitions. In the current financial year 1992/93, over 160 projects are planned. Programmes will cater for the physically disabled, mentally handicapped, blind and partially sighted, deaf and hearing-impaired, and the ex-mentally ill, as well as PHABers (that is, the physically handicapped and able-bodied).
Programmes will be organized in all 10 Districts, and about 8,500 people are likely to participate. Activities range from table tennis to swimming and from aerobics to horse riding. So, there should be something to suit all tastes. In order to encourage participation, no fee is charged for these activities.
Departmental officers have also been trained in the development of therapeutic activities and special programmes for the disabled. So, participants may also improve their physical capabilities as well as enjoy the social aspects of the programmes.
Finally, through our Sports Promotion Office, the Council also subsidizes activities organized or sponsored by the Sports Associations for the physically disabled, the deaf, and the mentally handicapped.
Against this background, I believe the Council's recreational facilities and sports programmes generally cater for, and can be enjoyed by, the disabled as well as the able-bodied.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):— Mr. Chairman, I am glad to hear that the Urban Council has made a positive response to the Green Paper so that both the handicapped and the able-bodied people can make use of the recreational facilities. I would like to know, for future facilities like the Hong Kong Stadium, whether the Urban Council is involved in the design and the future management. At this point in time, do we know whether there are enough facilities to cater for the disabled people, and if not, are there ways in which we can make this come true?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, according to the planning standard and guidelines, all these facilities have to cater for the disabled people in Hong Kong. For the coming facilities that will be coming on stream, certainly they will be provided with such equipment. Although the Urban Council is exempted from the relevant legislation, however, it is our policy to make sure that these facilities will cater for the disabled in Hong Kong as well. Mr. MAN basically wanted to know about the Hong Kong Stadium; well, I can assure Mr. MAN that certainly we will take the needs of the disabled into full account.
3.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):— (a) When will the new Chai Wan Park be both completed and opened?
(b) Will it then be opened for 24 hours a day? If not, what is the greatest number of hours per day that it can be opened?
(c) What security measures will there be? The Park will at least have more than two entrances and kiosks inside.
(d) What measures will be taken for the safety of children at the water pool?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-- The answers to Mr. BERNACCHI'S questions concerning the new Chai Wan Park are as follows.
Construction work is scheduled to be completed by September. Following the handover to the department, soft landscaping work will then commence. This will take about 12 weeks to complete. In the interim, the active games areas could be made available to the public, and the whole park is expected to be opened by the end of the year.
The park will be open for 24 hours a day. As in all Council venues, the active games area—tennis courts, mini soccer pitch, and basketball courts—will be in use from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. A fast-food kiosk will also provide service during these hours.
To provide convenient access to the Chai Wan MTR Station and the adjacent housing estates, the park will have five entrances. To take account of the public needs at night, adequate lighting and security services will be provided within the park.
Suitable safety measures will also be incorporated in the park's water features. Railings will be provided at the waterfall; and planters placed at the periphery of the water channels. This should deter any encroachment. In
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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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22
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Enforcement action will be stepped up to deter those who ignore the message and continue littering streets. Contacts will be maintained to impress upon the judiciary to hand down heavier penalties for repeated offenders to enhance the success of enforcement efforts.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, there has been criticism that the theme Keep Hong Kong Clean has become outdated and therefore ineffective. Are there any plans for a new initiative to attract greater public attention and focus on a more positive environmental theme?
DR. LEUNG PING-CHUNG (in English):-Yes, Mr. Chairman, incidentally this topic has been discussed at rather great length during our previous and last Public Health Select Committee and I am sure that further discussion and a more formal action will be taken in due course.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, in the past 20 years, whilst the Clean Hong Kong Campaign has been educating members of the public not to throw litter, have members of the public particularly young people and the businessmen been educated to reduce the production of waste so that this campaign can have a new direction?
DR. LEUNG PING-CHUNG (in Cantonese): The previous focal point on education is placed on young people and also on those old people, who have the greatest tendency in disposing litter. The previous practice was more remedial. Now it is the right time for us to take a more positive step to reduce the production of litter or waste and to look into the possibility of recycling. This question is related to that of Mrs. Elsie Tu. The Health Education Sub-Committee is now looking into the matter and it is hoped that in due course some plans will materialise.
2. THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG asked the following question (in Cantonese): In response to Government's consultation exercise of the GREEN PAPER by the Working Party on the Rehabilitation Policies and Services on Equal Opportunities and Full Participation', will this Council inform the public whether adequate recreational facilities and services as well as suitable sporting events and programmes have been provided to the disabled persons in order to meet their social, recreational and sporting needs and to encourage their active participation in community life?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-
This question asks whether
(a) adequate recreational facilities and services; and
(b) suitable sporting events and programmes, have been provided in order to meet the special needs of disabled persons and to encourage their participation in community life.
Page 15 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 15 of 126
23
May I confirm that the Council's long standing objective is to contribute, wherever possible, in helping to integrate the disabled into the community. In so far as sports and recreation is concerned, this is achieved in two ways.
First, when developing the Council's recreational projects, particular care is taken to facilitate access and use by the disabled. Usually, additional features, such as ramps, dropped kerbs, and specially designed toilets are provided to meet the needs of the handicapped.
Apart from these special arrangements for access, we have also provided other features. For example, in Victoria Park, the scented garden was developed for the enjoyment of blind people. And, in Carpenter Road Playground, we have installed special play equipment for use by disabled children.
Secondly, the Council's sports and recreation programmes are also geared towards integrating people with disabilities into community life. Wherever possible, we are keen to encourage them to participate in our regular sporting programmes and activities. Some examples include the Queen's Birthday Celebration, to be held next weekend, and during our regular Fun Days and District Festivals.
The department also works very closely with the Sports Associations to develop and promote a wide range of specially designed activities and competitions. In the current financial year 1992/93, over 160 projects are planned. Programmes will cater for the physically disabled, mentally handicapped, blind and partially sighted, deaf and hearing impaired and the ex-mentally ill, as well as PHABers (that is the physically handicapped and able bodied).
Programmes will be organized in all 10 Districts, and about 8 500 people are likely to participate. Activities range from table tennis to swimming and from aerobics to horse riding. So, there should be something to suit all tastes. In order to encourage participation, no fee is charged for these activities.
Departmental officers have also been trained in the development of therapeutic activities and special programmes for the disabled. So, participants may also improve their physical capabilities as well as enjoy the social aspects of the programmes.
Finally, through our Sports Promotion Office, the Council also subsidizes activities organized or sponsored by the Sports Associations for the physically disabled, the deaf and the mentally handicapped.
Against this background, I believe the Council's recreational facilities and sports programmes generally cater for, and can be enjoyed by, the disabled as well as the able bodied.
THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to hear that the Urban Council has made positive response to the Green Paper so that both the handicapped and the able bodied people can make use of the recreational
Page 15 of 126
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24
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
facilities. I would like to know for the future facilities like the Hong Kong Stadium, Urban Council is involved in the design and the future management. At this point in time do we know whether there are enough fäcilities to cater for the disabled people, and if not, are there ways in which we can make this come true?
MR RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, according to the planning standard and guidelines, all these facilities have to cater for the disabled people in Hong Kong. For the coming facilities that will be coming on stream, certainly they will be provided with such equipment. Although the Urban Council is exempted from the relevant legislation, however, it is our policy to make sure that these facilities will cater for the disabled in Hong Kong as well. Mr. MAN basically wanted to know about the Hong Kong Stadium, well I can assure Mr. MAN that certainly we will take the needs of the disabled into full account.
3.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):— (a) When will the new Chai Wan Park be both completed and opened?
(b) Will it then be opened for 24 hours a day? If not, what is the greatest number
of hours per day that it can be opened?
(c) What security measures will there be? The Park will at least have more than
two entrances and kiosks inside.
(d) What measures will be taken for the safety of children at the waterpool?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COM- MITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):--The answers to Mr. BERNACCHI'S questions concerning the new Chai Wan Park are as follows.
Construction work is scheduled to be completed by September. Following the handover to the department soft landscaping work will then commence. This will take about 12 weeks to complete. In the interim, the active games areas could be made available to the public and the whole park is expected to be opened by the end of the year.
The park will be open for 24 hours a day. As in all Council venues, the active games area-tennis courts, mini soccer pitch and basket ball courts will be in use from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. A fast food kiosk will also provide service during these hours.
To provide convenient access to the Chai Wan MTR Station and the adjacent housing estates, the park will have five entrances. To take account of the public needs at night, adequate lighting and security services will be provided within the park.
Suitable safety measures will also be incorporated in the park's water features. Railings will be provided at the waterfall; and planters placed at the periphery of the water channels. This should deter any encroachment. In
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