Minutes of the 9th Meeting of
Culture, Leisure & Social Affairs Committee (2014-15)
Central and Western District Council
Date / : / 10 September 2015 (Thursday)Time / : / 2:30 pm
Venue / : / Conference Room
14/F, Harbour Building
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
Present:
Chairman
Mr CHAN Chit-kwai, BBS, JP*
Vice-chairlady
Ms SIU Ka-yi / (2:33 pm - end of meeting)Members
Mr CHAN Choi-hi, MH / (2:33 pm - 6:24 pm)Mr CHAN Ho-lim, Joseph / (2:30 pm - 4:29 pm) ; (5:47 pm - end of meeting)
Mr CHAN Hok-fung, MH*
Ms CHENG Lai-king / (2:37 pm - end of meeting)
Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, JP / (2:30 pm - 7 pm)
Mr CHEUNG Yick-hung, Jackie / (2:59 pm - 3:53 pm)
Mr HUI Chi-fung / (2:36 pm - 4:15 pm) ; (6:16 pm - end of meeting)
Mr IPKwok-him, GBS, JP / (2:30 pm - 5:13 pm)
Mr KAM Nai-wai, MH / (2:30 pm - 4:58 pm)
Dr Malcolm LAM / (2:30 pm - 3:59 pm)
Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney / (2:47 pm - 3:59 pm)
Miss LO Yee-hang / (3:46 pm - 6:56 pm)
Mr MAN Chi-wah, MH*
Mr NG Siu-keung, Thomas, MH, JP / (2:30 pm - 6:16 pm)
Mr WONG Kin-shing*
Mr YIP Wing-shing, BBS, MH, JP / (2:30 pm - 3:34 pm)
Co-opted Members
Ms CHEUNG Kai-yin / (2:36 pm - 4:19 pm)
MrNG Siu-hong / (2:30 pm - 4:50 pm)
Ms WONG Mi-hing, Shirley*
Remarks: * Members who attended the whole meeting ( ) Time of attendance of Members
Guest
Item 4Ms WONG Wai-man / Senior Building Surveyor/Slope Safety (HKW), Buildings Department
Ms MAN Siu-kuen, Ada / Building Surveyor/Slope Safety 2, Buildings Department
Mr Vince KONG / Senior Engineer, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited
Item 5
Miss AU Wing-yan, Christine
Mr CHU Ho, Larry
Mr YU Wai-shing, Frederick / Principal Assistant Secretary (Harbour), Development Bureau
Assistant Secretary (Harbour)1, Development Bureau
Assistant Secretary (Harbour) SD, Development Bureau
Item 6
Dr C C LUK
Dr Wendy W S TSUI
Dr Alfred S K KWONG
Ms. Mabel KWONG
Item 7
Dr Lesley LAU
MsMeijing HE
Mr Johnny CHIU
Ms Lenona NG
MsLevina LI
Item 8
Dr C C LUK
Dr Wendy W S TSUI
Dr Alfred S K KWONG
Ms Mabel KWONG
Item 9
Mrs KWOK WONG Mun-yi
Mr CHU Kam-sing, Daniel
Mr WONG Chak-sun, Jason
Miss YU Yan-yan, Rosanna
Item 10
Mr Albert SU
Mr Ivan YIU
Ms Ivy LAU
Item 11
Ms Ruby WAN
Ms Queenie MAK
Item 13
Dr CHAN See-ka, Scarlet
Item 14
Mr CHAN Hon-cheung, John
Mr LAM Chi-hang, Augustine
Mr WONG Cheuk-him, Jason
Ms Esther WONG
Ms Melanie MOORE / Cluster Chief Executive, Hong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Authority
Chief of Service, Department of Family Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Queen Mary Hospital
Associate Consultant i/cSai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinics, Department of Family Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Queen Mary Hospital
Public and Community Relations Officer, Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster
Head (Art Promotion Office), Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Head of Arts and Creative Industries, British Council
Executive Director, AECOM
Director, Sinclair Communications
Event Horizon Project Consultant
Cluster Chief Executive, Hong Kong West Cluster, Hospital Authority
Chief of Service, Department of Family Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Queen Mary Hospital
Associate Consultant i/cSai Ying Pun Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinics, Department of Family Medicine & Primary Healthcare, Queen Mary Hospital
Public and Community Relations Officer, Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster
Senior School Development Officer (Central Western and Southern) 2, Education Bureau
Assistant District Social Welfare Officer (Central Western, Southern and Islands), Social Welfare Department
Senior Property Manager (Acquisition, Allocation & Disposal)Projects & Special Duties, Government Property Agency
SEO (District Management), Central and Western District Office, Home Affairs Department
Chief Executive, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Community Services Secretary, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Administration Secretary, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
Project Director, Young Artists Development Foundation
Project Manager, Young Artists Development Foundation
Senior Medical and Health Officer (Community Liaison)2 (Acting), Department of Health
Senior Landscape Architect/VM(U&Is), Highways Department
Landscape Architect/VM(HKC&W), Highways Department
Landscape Architect/ VM(SD), Highways Department
Representative,St. Stephen’s Neighbour Concern Group
Representative, Alliance for a Beautiful Hong Kong
In Attendance:
Miss CHOW Ho-kiu, Cheryl, JP
Miss LAM Bing-bing, Erica / District Officer (Central and Western)
Assistant District Officer (Central and Western)
Ms WONG Ming-wai / Senior Executive Officer(District Council), Central and Western District Office
Mr CHU Kam-sing, Daniel / Assistant District Social Welfare Officer (Central Western, Southern and Islands), Social Welfare Department
Ms Doris CHUN / Senior Community Relations Officer, Independent Commission Against Corruption
Mrs KWOK WONG Mun-yi / Senior School Development Officer (Central Western and Southern) 2, Education Bureau
DrCHAN See-ka, Scarlet / Senior Medical and Health Officer (Community Liaison)2 (Acting), Department of Health
Mr LAI Fai-keung
Mr CHEUNG ka-lok / Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator, Police Community Relations Office, Central District, Hong Kong Police Force
Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinator, Police Community Relations Office, Western District, Hong Kong Police Force
Ms CHOI Suk-kuen, Shirley / Senior Manager (Cultural Services) Hong Kong West, Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Ms LEE Wing-yee, Winnie / Manager (Hong Kong West) Marketing, Programme and District Activities, Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Ms CHOW Pui-shan, Cindy / Deputy District Leisure Manager (District Support) Central and Western, Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Secretary
Miss TAI Lok-tung, Jovy / Executive Officer (District Council) 5
Central and Western District Office
Absent with Apologies:
Mr CHAN Hiu-fun Absent due to illness
Ms LEUNG Shuk-yi, Emily
Mr NG Wing-yan, MH
Opening Remarks
The Chairman welcomed all to the 9th meeting of the Culture, Leisure & Social Affairs Committee (CLSAC) (2014-15) under the Central and Western District Council (C&WDC). The Secretariat had received a notification of absence with supporting document from Mr CHAN Hiu-fun before the meeting, indicating that he could not attend the meeting due to illness. Pursuant to Section 49 of the Standing Order, the C&WDC should only give consent to notifications of absence filed on grounds of sickness or attendance at another meeting or an activity on behalf of the DC. The C&WDC gave consent to the application of absence of Mr CHAN Hiu-fun.
Item 1:Adoption of the Agenda
2.As there were no comments from Members, the agenda was adopted.
Item 2:Confirmation of the Minutes of the 8th CLSAC Meeting (2014-15)
3.As Members had no comments on the draft minutes of the 8th CLSAC meeting, the minutes were confirmed.
Item 3:Chairman’s Report
4.The Chairman had nothing particular to highlight.
Item 4:Proposed Phase 1 Slope Remedial Works Adjoining the Rear of Kau U Fong Children’s Playground
(C&W CLSAC Paper No. 32/2015)
(2:35 pm - 2:46 pm)
5.Ms Ada MAN, Building Surveyor/Slope Safety 2 of the Buildings Department (BD) consulted the Committee on the proposed Phase 1 slope remedial works adjoining the rear of Kau U Fong Children’s Playground.
6.The Chairman invited discussion on the paper. The questions and views of Members were as follows:
(i)Mr CHAN Choi-hi said that the works would take six months to complete which, in his opinion, was too long. He enquired if it would be possible to shorten the construction time.
(ii)Mr MAN Chi-wah inquired if the BD had any contingency measures in relation to one park light’s being temporarily disabled.
(iii)Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan enquired about the schedule for Phase 2 and Phase 3 works and wished to know if the BD had discussed subsequent works with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).
(iv)The Vice-chairlady hoped that the BD would provide other details of the works.
(v)Mr HUI Chi-fung enquired if the BD had consulted the local residents. Besides, he asked why the BD failed to reach any consensus in relation to the works with the owners of the said site that the BD needed to carry out the remedial works on behalf of the owners.
7.Ms Ada MAN of the BD gave a consolidated response as follows:
(i)In response to Mr CHAN Choi-hi’s enquiry about the works schedule, she indicated that there were quite a lot of public holidays during the construction period. That the works would take six months to complete was a conservative estimate, and it was expected that the works would take only four months to complete.
(ii)In response to Mr MAN Chi-wah’s enquiry about the lighting system, she said that the impact of having one park lamp fewer would not be significant. If necessary, the BD would provide a temporary lighting system on the hoarding of the works area.
8.Ms WONG Wai-man, Senior Building Surveyor/Slope Safety (HKW) of the BD responded as follows:
(i)In response to Mr CHEUNG Kwok-kwan’s enquiry about the works schedule, she indicated that the BD had already made preparations for Phase 2 works, which would involve the surrounding area of the public toilets. The public toilets, however, would not need to be closed. Since an old tree was involved in Phase 2 works, commencement of the works was subject to the LCSD’s and the LandsD’s approval of the report submitted by old tree experts. Phase 3 works area was at the rear portion of the Central District Health Centre at Kau U Fong. Discussions with the Health Centre as regards the alterations to existing facilities in the works area would be required before Phase 3 works could commence.
(ii)As regards the impact on the vicinity about which Members had enquired, she said the BD had several discussions with the LCSD in relation to noise, air, waste water and noise nuisance in hopes of keeping the impact to a minimum.
(iii)In response to Mr HUIChi-fung’s enquiries about the difficulties encountered, she indicated that since there was no owners’ corporation at 3-15 Gough Street, the BD had been discussing with the owners during the past few years but failed nevertheless to gather all owners to pay for the works. As a result, the BD had to carry out the remedial works on behalf of the owners and would recover the cost from the owners later.
(iv)In response toMr HUI Chi-fung’sconcern as to whether or not the residents had been consulted, she said since the works area was only within the park, the BD had not conducted any resident consultation and it was not a usual practice of the BD to conduct any consultation either. As regards owners of Nos. 3 to 15 Gough Street, the BD had issued written notifications.
9.The Chairman enquired about the details of the old tree within the works area.
10.Ms WONG Wai-man of the BD responded that the said tree had been included in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees.
11.Mr HUI Chi-fung hoped that the BD would consider notifying the Health Centre and the residents in the neighbourhood of the works and the impact thereof, which in his opinion was a must.
Item 5:Temporary Uses at the New Central Habourfront
(C&W CLSAC Paper No. 36/2015)
(2:45 pm – 3:55 pm)
12.Miss Christine AU, Principal Assistant Secretary (Harbour) of the Development Bureau (DEVB), updated Members on the latest progress of thetemporary uses in Area A as well as Areas D and E of the new Central Harbourfront, and sought Members’ views on the way forward of the two temporary uses.
13.The Chairman invited discussion on the paper. The questions and views of Members were as follows:
(i)Mr HUI Chi-fung enquired about the tendering procedure and criteria of the sites, and hoped that the DEVB would explain why the length of tenancy varied from project to project. He suggested that the DEVB consider all sites including the military dock as one single entity while planning the uses. He hoped the DEVB would respond in relation to the contents of the re-amended motion.
(ii)Mr NG Siu-hong opined that the harbourfront sites were all used by major groups at present, and enquired if the DEVB would consider including small vendors to operate in the form of a fair or bazaar to facilitate the participation of the general public.
(iii)Ms CHEUNG Kai-yin enquired what difficulties there would be in opening the military dock facilities for public access prior to the handover of such facilities to the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army. She enquired about the eligibility criteriagroups would need to fulfill for leasing the harbourfront sites, and suggested that the DEVB include small vendors or non-commercial activities to facilitate the participation of the general public.
(iv)Mr Joseph CHAN enquired about the use of Site 3 for comprehensive development. He wished to be informed about the scale and height of the commercial buildings, and also expressed his concern over the significant impact of major developments on traffic, environment, lighting and ventilation in the vicinity.
(v)Mr CHAN Choi-hi hoped that the DEVB would elaborate on the justifications for extending the lease of Areas A, D and E. Besides, he hoped that the DEVB could consult the C&WDC in advance on the uses of the harbourfront. He opined that the role of the DEVB as regards the uses of the harbourfront sites was too passive, and suggested that the DEVB take initiative to design and organise events, for instance, reference could be made to large-scale carnivals organised in Toronto during summer.
(vi)Ms CHENG Lai-king found the proposals in the paper distressing and pointed out that the DEVB failed to provide any elaboration in relation to the Comprehensive Development Area (CDA). She sighed about the DEVB’s dividing up the harbourfront sites for different commercial uses. She hoped that the DEVB would explain if the harbourfront sites were intended for profit-making or public enjoyment.
(vii)Mr IP Kwok-himopined that the harbourfront had now been returned to the people and became an ideal leisure open space for the public during holidays. He opined that instilling vitality to the harbourfront by organising activities at the sites would be a better option than providing merely a large piece of lawn. He suggested that the DEVB consider organising some regular events at the harbourfront sites.
(viii)Mr CHAN Hok-fung indicated that activities organised at the harbourfront had been well received by members of the public and opined that such uses were what members of the public would like to see. He was of the opinion that what would need to be considered now was the ways to keep the vitality of the harbourfrontand that different kinds of activities could be held at the sites, be it day or night. He was concerned about the future use of Site 3 for commercial purposes and hoped that the DEVB could elaborate more on the said plan. He enquired about the progress of the judicial review case related to the military dock and hoped that the site could be opened up for public access as soon as possible.
(ix)Mr YIP Wing-shing commended the existing uses of the harbourfront. He opined that when organising large-scale events at the harbourfront, contractors should be required to reserve some free tickets for the disadvantaged groups in the district to facilitate their participation. He agreed to the proposal of reserving part of the harbourfront sites for commercial developments, but opined that it would be imperative for the DEVB to consult the C&W DC prior to the development. He reiterated that the C&W DC had already requested that the DEVB, after the handover of the military dock facilities to the Hong Kong Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army, open the berth for public access when it was not in military use. But he understood that since judicial proceedings were still underway, the military dock could not be open to public access in the meantime.
(x)The Chairman expressed his support for the proposals in the paper. He opined that the harbourfront now became increasingly vibrant and hoped that such vibrancy was not transient. He was of the view that the DEVB should proactively study ways to enhance the accessibility of these sites.
14.Miss Christine AU of the DEVB thanked Members for the enquiries. She indicated that the Planning Department completed the “Urban Design Study for the New Central Harbourfront” (UDS) in 2011 which was a detailed planning for the long-term development of the new Central Harbourfront. During the study, a 2-phase public engagement exercise was conducted to extensively gauge public views. She pointed out that the public generally supported the use and development of the harbourfront with diversity at that time, and the DEVB would make reference to the proposals of the UDS when considering the long-term development of the new Central Harbourfront in the future.
(i)As regards Members’ enquiries about the details of the comprehensive development at Site 3, she said there would be a large landscaped deck and at-grade public open space at the subject site and emphasized that such development would further enhance the accessibility of the harbourfront, so that members of the public could access the harbourfront directly from the hinterland. She pointed out that the UDS recommended that the building height of the CDA be +30m principal datum (PD), +40mPD and +50mPD.
(ii)In response to Mr HUI Chi-fung’s enquiry about the tendering procedures, she said the purpose of submitting the present paper was to seek Members’ views on the proposed extension of the temporary use of Area A for operating an observation wheel and that of the temporary use of Areas D and E for organising events and activities. Subject to Members’ support for the said temporary uses, the DEVB would discuss with related departments details of pressing ahead with the said uses in accordance with established procedures.