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Policy Address 2023: Unveiling more details on Northern Metropolis plan amid conservation inadequacy

Chief Executive John Lee announced more details on the Northern Metropolis project, the "new engine" for Hong Kong growth, in the 2023 Policy Address on Wednesday. 

The government will release the Action Agenda for the Northern Metropolis shortly, which merges with the planning of Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Area cities, following the new establishment of a supervision body, the Northern Metropolis Coordination Office.

The Northern Metropolis will include  initiatives, such as building tertiary institutions and international schools, reserving sites for government offices and building art and cultural facilities.

The government also plans to expedite development through the Enhanced Conventional New Town Approach, and repurpose a previously planned public columbarium site in the North District for innovation and technology purposes.

The Northern Metropolis will be divided into four major zones, including a high-end professional services and logistics hub, an innovation and technology zone, a business and industrial zone at the border control points, and a blue-green recreation and tourism eco-system.

However, while the project is steered towards further socioeconomic development, conservationists are worried about the impacts it could bring to the environment.

The project mainly covers the Yuen Long and the North districts, two areas known for their ecosystem and biodiversity, housing a diversity of plants and wild animals.

Black-faced Spoonbill is a globally endangered bird with 6,633 individuals, according to a report by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. It is mainly observed in Mai Po and the Hong Kong Wetland Park.
Despite being globally vulnerable, the Collared Crow is a corvid common in Hong Kong farms and wetlands in the New Territories. It has an estimated population of 2,500 to 9,999 individuals, according to BirdLife International.

Michael Lau Wai-neng, 60, the founder of the Hong Kong Wetlands Conservation Association, said that a large-scale project can be “detrimental to Hong Kong's ecosystem”.

"Wetlands, marshes and mangroves provide natural protection against extreme weather, where they can absorb water during floods and heavy downpour," said  Lau.

"Wetlands in Hong Kong not only support exceptional biodiversity, but also mitigate climate risks," he said.

The wetlands at Mai Po Nature Reserve in Yuen Long, with Shenzhen further afield.

Lau suggested that the government should look into incorporating natural infrastructure into future drainage and water systems to help mitigate extreme weather risks as opposed to building concrete structures.

"Nature-based solutions should be seriously explored," said Lau. 

He also suggested that the government set up an independent statutory trust to let various stakeholders voice their concerns, especially villagers, fishpond operators and future Northern Metropolis residents.

Residences at the Tai Sang Wai fishing village in Yuen Long.

The ecosystem in parts of Yuen Long are important stopover locations for migratory birds, some of which are globally endangered, such as the Black-faced Spoonbill.

San Tin is an area located in the Yuen Long district, and is one of several important locations for migratory birds.

Under the Northern Metropolis megaproject, around 627 hectares of land, including fishponds and wetlands, in San Tin are expected to comprise the proposed San Tin Technopole technology hub.

The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (HKBWS) is non-profit organisation specialising in bird conservation and research.

The Society released a publication calling for support against the San Tin project, citing several concerns, including irreversible ecological damage to the ecosystem, affecting habitats of endangered species and undermining the future of traditional pond fish culture.

"The fishpond wetland system is not only crucial to the well-being of migratory birds and the overall ecosystem, but they also provide us with socio-economic benefits, including mitigating flood risks, supporting the livelihoods of local fishermen and promoting sustainable local economic development,” said HKBWS conservation officer Wong Suet-mei.

A farmer rests along a dirt road at Tai Sang Wai.

“We should raise our voices against any developments that pose a threat to our precious wetlands," she added.

Ms Cheung, in her 70s, a store owner at Lok Ma Chau road, said that she supports the project as the development of a number of local and cross-boundary railway and highway projects to enhance connectivity is included.

Cheung's store at Lok Ma Chau road. Although it does not make a lot of money, she chose to remain in business.

“It was a very hectic time to carry my son to the hospital, given the transportation was inadequate back in 2003,” said Cheung. 

“For people my age and have lived here for half of a century, we do not expect much but a place to settle down,” she added.

Mr Chan, 70 years old, is a resident of Ha Wan Tsuen, also endorsed the policy. “Once the government provides adequate compensation for residents , more urbanised development may not be a bad thing,” said Chan.

Chan walks his dog every day along Lok Ma Chau Village.

“If land resumption occurs, they should at least provide enough space for me to walk my dog,” he jokingly said.

“Although the air quality has deteriorated due to the construction work, it is an unavoidable sacrifice towards urbanisation,” said Chan.

It takes 20 years for the development of Northern Metropolis to wrap up. The government aimed to start land resumption by 2027, alongside forming 40% of total newly developed land and flats by 2032.

 

 

《The Young Reporter》

The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

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