Legal amendments allowing small-scale reclamation in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour were passed on Wednesday with the support of most lawmakers, who called on the government to raise the public’s awareness of the changes. The second and third readings of the Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Bill were held in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen, who abstained from voting, argued that the changes would allow the government to vet its own proposals for reclamation. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said the new legislation could provide flexibility for the authorities to connect the harbourfront. She said administrative guidelines were being prepared and were expected to be completed in the next few months. Under the current legal framework, reclamation in the harbour is forbidden unless it is proven to have an “overriding public need” supported by “cogent and convincing materials”. The government deemed this too stringent for minor works intended to enhance the waterfront. The Development Bureau’s proposed changes will allow small-scale reclamation of 0.8 hectares or less, including for erecting specified structures designed to enhance the harbour, such as piers, boardwalks and moorings.
The new law was passed in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, with most lawmakers supporting the amendments that will allow small-scale reclamation in Victoria Harbour. Tik Chi-yuen, a lawmaker who didn’t vote, thinks the changes will let the government review its own reclamation proposals. Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, the Secretary for Development, believes the new legislation will give authorities more flexibility in connecting the harbourfront. Administrative guidelines are currently being prepared and should be ready in a few months. The current legal framework prohibits reclamation in the harbour unless there is an “overriding public need” supported by convincing evidence. The government thought this was too strict for minor projects meant to improve the waterfront. The proposed changes by the Development Bureau will now permit small-scale reclamation of 0.8 hectares or less for building structures like piers, boardwalks, and moorings.
Not really sure why this matters, but the amendments to the Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Bill were approved by most lawmakers in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Tik Chi-yuen, who decided not to vote, raised concerns about the government being able to review its own reclamation proposals. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho mentioned that the new law would offer more flexibility in connecting the harbourfront. She also mentioned that administrative guidelines are being prepared and should be finalized in the next few months. Currently, reclamation in the harbour is only allowed if there is an “overriding public need” backed by solid evidence, which the government felt was too strict for minor enhancement projects. With the proposed changes, small-scale reclamation of 0.8 hectares or less will now be permitted for constructing structures like piers, boardwalks, and moorings.
The amendments allowing small-scale reclamation in Victoria Harbour were passed by most lawmakers in the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Tik Chi-yuen, a lawmaker who chose not to vote, expressed concerns about the government’s ability to assess its own reclamation proposals. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho highlighted that the new legislation would provide more flexibility in linking the harbourfront. She mentioned that administrative guidelines are currently in the works and should be ready in a few months. Previously, reclamation in the harbour was only allowed if there was a proven “overriding public need” supported by convincing evidence. The government found this requirement too strict for minor waterfront improvements. The proposed changes will now permit small-scale reclamation of 0.8 hectares or less for constructing structures such as piers, boardwalks, and moorings.
In conclusion, the amendments to the Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Bill have been approved by most lawmakers, paving the way for small-scale reclamation in Victoria Harbour. Tik Chi-yuen’s decision not to vote reflects concerns about the government’s role in reviewing reclamation proposals. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho believes the new legislation will offer more flexibility in enhancing the harbourfront. With administrative guidelines in the works, the changes are expected to be implemented in the coming months. The revised regulations will now allow for small-scale reclamation projects to improve the waterfront, including the construction of piers, boardwalks, and moorings.
