Hong Kong Science Park to get extra 60 hectares of reclaimed land over 6 years for innovation and technology drive
- Area to be reclaimed will span more than three Victoria Parks
- Project marks a first since environmental impact law amended last week
The Hong Kong Science Park is expected to receive an additional 60 hectares (148 acres) of land through reclamation over the next six years for innovation and technology developments, marking the first such project since authorities amended the law on environmental impact assessments last week.
An environmental study submitted by the Civil Engineering and Development Department to the Environmental Protection Department revealed plans to reclaim a stretch of water along the Science Park and Chinese University to the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works facility, to be completed in phases from 2029.
The project is the first to be screened by the Environmental Protection Department after amendments were made to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance last week to speed up the review process. The reclaimed land will cover an area of more than three Victoria Parks.
The proposal is in line with former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s 2021 policy address, stating the government was reviving the Ma Liu Shui reclamation project to make more room for Science Park expansion.
“Taking on board the recommendations of Hong Kong 2030+, the 2021 policy address announced the government would revive the [Ma Liu Shui] reclamation project … so as to strengthen the development of the Eastern Knowledge and Technology Corridor with I&T as a major economic function,” the department said in the proposal.
“Hong Kong 2030+” is the city’s long-term land development strategy. Under the scheme, vacant land after the Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works is relocated will also be used for future IT developments together with the newly reclaimed area.
The paper did raise issues such as potential “water quality, ecology, fisheries and visual impacts during the operation phase”, including effects on “flora and fauna species of conservation importance”, such as coral communities in Tolo Harbour waters, as well as water birds in Penfold Park.
