2009 Dec 15
Tough life for Cheung Chau fishermen
Legislative Council, Panel on Environmental Affairs paper dated Dec 15th, 2009, recorded following comments from industry’s representatives :
Mr To Kwong-Biu, Chairman of Cheung Chau Fishermen’s Welfare Promotion Association, commented that cross boarder illegal poaching is the major concern. Concentration of fish stock in Marine Park will become even more attractive for illegal fishing with destructive method from mainland.
Government must take enforcement measure to stop poaching and create artificial reefs to increase fish stocks.
Though Hong Kong water is polluted by Pearl River Estuary and its fish harvest only accounted for 2% of total catch even with designation of Marine Park policy.
Mr Chan Fuk of Cheung Chau Fishermen
Industry Association said reclamation work and dumping activities had significantly reduced Hong Kong fish stock.
It is absolutely necessary for Agriculture and Fishery and Conservation Department (AFCD) to enrich fishery resources through mariculture and breeding.
Hong Kong fishermen want to earn living from the sea, not from Comprehensive Social Service Assistance (CSSA).
Mr Ho Yung-hei, Chairman of Cheung Chau Fishermen’s Rights Association, remarked he has been fishing near Centre Island everday and found 20-30 mainland boats illegally cross border to fish, usually with destructive method.
Reports have been filed with Police and no action was ever taken.
He urged Government to take immediate measure to address this issue.
Cheung Chau Fishing Boats
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Cheung Chau Voting Requirement
2009 Jan 09
According to minutes of meeting held on 9th Jan 2009 by Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, all members of Cheung Chau Rural Committee (CCRC) are Kaifong Representatives.
In response to challenge by local Cheung Chau resident, Kwok Cheuk Kin, to have CCRC election covered by Village Representative Election Ordinance (VREO), Home Affair Department insisted Cheung Chau is a market town, never has there been any village.
Deputy Director of Home Affair, indirectly acknowledged, CCRC is, in practice, and in reality a Kaifong Association even though it is called Cheung Chau Rural Committee.
As for consultation by Home Affair Department, Cheung Hok Ming of Heung Yee Kuk said any indigenous village should have already existed in 1898, the year British took over New Territories and outlying islands of Hong Kong, and village representation should have been in place before 1999, shortly after which VREO was enacted.
CCRC suggested Cheung Chau is not indigenous village.
Even being unable to reach conclusion in the meeting, this finding propels the Government subsequently to lower the island voter qualification from 7-year residency requirement to 3-year, and 6-year for candidates.
Election Polling
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Shek Kwu Chau Incinerator proposal by Government
2008 Jan 29
Environmental Protection Department filed a report on site selection dated Jan 29th, 2008, to Panel on Environmental Affairs of Legislative Council.
Engaging a consultant, Camp Dresser & Mckee, site selection narrowed down to 2 potentials, Shek Kwu Chau and Tsang Tsui Ash Lagoons.
Shek Kwu Chau was recommended for its remote location, light population, insignificant visual impact.
Air quality impact would only be limited to Cheung Chau, but residents in Cheung Chau are not located at prevailing downwind direction.
Refuse transfer through marine transport is cost effective throughout Hong Kong to Shek Kwu Chau for its central location in terms of sea traffic.
Drawbacks are massive reclamatiion, erosion of habitat of Chinese White Dolphin, longer construction time and at higher cost.
Proposed site for Incinerator in Shek Kwu Chau
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Government Columbaria Shortage
2006 Feb 15
In the Legislative Council Finance Committee – Public Works subcommittee paper dated Feb 15th , 2006, members are invited for discussion on columbaria shortage problem faced by the Government, with a view to seek for funding of $113.6m by Director of Architectural Services and Secretary for Health , Welfare and Food to construct additional columbarium at Diamond Hill.
Government reveals death per year in past 10 years increased from 30,894 in 1995 to 38,683 in 2005 as a result of population growth.
It is expected to increase to 47,000 in 2015.
Cremation rose steadily in last 30 years from 7,300 (35%) in 1975, to 33,000 (86%) in 2005.
As heavily subsidised by tax payer money, government supply of 138,000 niches were all sold out, as of March 2005.
Private supplies from religious bodies are also restricted to members only.
To meet demand, Government now plans to build 10,000 new niches in Cape Collision, Kwai Chung and Wo Hop Shek.
Additional 1,000 niches would be built in Cheung Chau Columbarium by end of 2006 !
Cheung Chau Columbarium
Last edited by Cheung Chau Magazine on 27/09/2013
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Cheung Chau Old Town Road Work
2004 Feb 04
In a Legislative Council Finance Committee, Public Works Subcommittee paper dated 4th Feb 2004, Director of Territory Development (DTD), with the support of Secretary of Housing, Planning and Lands, seek for funding for work to upgrade the roads in Cheung Chau old town, which are not accessible for modern emergency vehicles.
Acting on advice from Fire Service Department, the proposal for construction of 4.5m wide road connecting On Wing Centre and Wo Shun Lane is initiated. It also recommends to widen Kwok Man Road to 4.5m and reconstruct Peak Road.
On March 28th, 2002, public consultation triggered 38 objections including one objection representing over 200 objectors.
The objections were mainly related to land resumption, especially along Peak Road, and tree felling.
Vehicle passing bays at suitable locations along Peak Road was proposed as part of road widening initiative following discussion with objectors.
Two objectors refuse to withdraw their objections in fear of clearance of balcony structure and small hut at Kwok Man Road.
Government took enforcement action accordingly.
Cheung Chau Fire Engine
Last edited by Cheung Chau Magazine on 27/09/2013 at 15:22
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