The Government today (November 22) released the public consultation report on Concept Plan for Lantau.
"According to the consultation results, the role that Lantau could play in providing new impetus to Hong Kong's economic development was generally agreed," a spokesman for the Government said.
"Overall speaking, there is public support for the planning vision of Lantau to promote sustainable development by balancing development and conservation needs, as well as the four themes to meet different land use needs," the spokesman said.
Noting that people had responded positively, the spokesman said there were views calling for more infrastructure and development while others suggested that Lantau should be mainly for conservation with no further developments. In addition, there are comments on individual proposals of the Concept Plan as well as suggestions of new development proposals or ideas.
Apart from the comments and suggestions received at the consultative sessions and public forums, more than 540 written submissions including comments and new proposals for Lantau were received during the consultation period.
"The Lantau Development Task Force will review and revise the Concept Plan in the light of the public comments received. Some new proposals and ideas submitted by the public, which are considered compatible with the planning intentions and planning concept for Lantau, will be further examined. The revised Concept Plan would be released next year," he said.
In November, 2004, the Lantau Development Task Force chaired by the Financial Secretary conducted a three-month public consultation on the Concept Plan for Lantau. During the consultation period, the community has been actively and widely engaged. Two public forums and 29 consultative sessions were held to discuss the Concept Plan with relevant statutory and advisory bodies, District Councils, Rural Committees, local organisations, local residents, professional institutes, environmental concern groups and the infrastructure, tourism, leisure and recreation sectors.
The Government today briefed the Legislative Council's Panel on Planning, Lands and Works and Panel on Environmental Affairs on the outcome of the public consultation and released the report for public information.
"We appreciate very much the many constructive and valuable public views expressed in the public consultation. We will continue to engage the public and listen to their views to map out the future development of Lantau jointly with the community," the spokesman added.
The summary of the consultation report can be obtained at the Planning Enquiry Counters of the Planning Department on 17th floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point and on 14th floor, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, and at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices. The full report and other information relating to the consultation can be accessible from the Planning Department website (https://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/lantau/index_static.html).
Ends/Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:55
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