Review of the public engagement survey for Eco Education Corridor (aka South Lantau tourism and conservation awareness hub) was completed yesterday and initial analysis has led officials to cease all further studies and officially withdraw the project proposal in full.
The announcement, made earlier today, effectively terminates all plans to develop South Lantau for mass tourism projects in favor of conserving local biodiversity for future generations to enjoy.
Developers are embracing the November 2004 Concept Plan for Lantau and its stated principle of “Development in the North, Conservation in the South” as outlined in the 2020 Lantau Conservation and Recreation Plan and stated in the Sustainable Lantau Blueprint in adopting the ‘less is more’ approach in light of tightening public purses amidst a growing public demand for access to the documented mental health benefits provided by natural spaces left untouched by human hands.
“The human spirit needs places where nature has not been re-arranged by the hand of man.” ― Anonymous
The decision follows widespread concerns from global tourism destinations where local residents struggle to meet the skyrocketing cost of living, including a spike in commercial real estate developments leading to rapidly rising housing costs for family homes as a result of rampant AirBnB conversions.
Many of the comments indicate overwhelming public opposition. A spokesperson reported that the results showed broad disappointment in the wasting of public resources and the destruction of natural resources marketed as progress. Evaluated in this context, the development appears to be at odds with objectives stated in costly mass media advertising campaigns promoting sustainability.
In light of this sudden reversal, the blueprint for the Mui Wo Facelift Project have been quickly revised to incorporate a tree-lined green belt along the full length of the seafront with shaded sitting out areas and open air restaurants. Solar panels and discreet tiny wind turbines will be installed on all rooftop areas and external walls, generating sufficient electricity to sustainably supply air-conditioned indoor public seating areas. Local shops and casual restaurants will line the second floor of the new facilities fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the South China Sea with views to Hong Kong Island . Convenient bike parking will be constructed near the entrance to the ferry pier with electric charging stations lining newly a multi-story car park areas situated on the existing parking lot.
The proposed tunnel project connecting Mui Wo with North Lantau has been shelved and the beachfront will remain intact with construction plans and the highway no longer a threat to the recently revamped Wang Tong River Bridge, LCSD public facilities, private business and village houses from the waterfront. preserving Wang Tong homes and habitats for the birds.
In a surprising last minute announcement, officials also announced a their decision to indefinitely delay the opening of the super incinerator on Kau Yi Chau after Miss Congeniality lodged a formal complaint to the ombudsman, citing irreversible damage to the private living quarters of her extended family.
The move was supported by the Tai O fishing community who secretly nurtured a white dolphin injured by turbo-jet propellers, citing their personal responsibility to care for members of their own family.
Concerns were raised by local citizens regarding air quality which has worsened in the area since the Chek Lap Kok reclamation and opening of the third runway along with the expanding Tung Chung new town. These developments on North Lantau are a short distance from the world’s factory in Guandong province, built by Hong Kong business leaders in search of expansion of profits with cheap overheads when transplanting industries just across the border with China in the years leading up to the 1997 handover.
Seasonal easterlies offer a brief reprieve from the worsening air pollution for a few months each year, but all fresh air would be disappeared once the expired technology delivers its toxic emissions to all of South Lantau in the peak winter hiking weather.
In light of public comments received, all expansion plans for South Lantau Road have been postponed indefinitely and engineers have been instructed to fully explore all available options to preserve native forests along the popular coastline.
The Transport Department has announced that tenders will open in the coming months for franchise to launch a fleet of electric Public Light Buses (PLBs) with a non-scheduled minibus service connecting Mui Wo Market to Tai O, relieving traffic congestion along South Lantau Road. A companion electric water taxi service will operate between Mui Wo and Peng Chau and serving all villages along the length of South Lantau Island.
The Ombudsman announced they will take these decisions into account as part of their current review of the AFCD’s campaign to exterminate the South Lantau buffalo herds. Local universities have received global recognition for recently published research on The Role of Buffalo in BioDiversity, reporting surprising findings on the social relationships displayed in ongoing behavioral studies.
In a related development, the world’s longest bridge has gone bankrupt, unable to achieve the minimum 50,000 vehicles per day required to break even after tolls were dropped in an attempt to generate traffic. Plans for a light rail conversion are in the works.
The lungs of Hong Kong are set to remain healthy for the foreseeable.
The announcement coincides with a full wetland ban on concrete farming with effect April 1, 2025.
