OK, Focus Group Meeting (in English) about the ex-Lamma Quarry housing development project tonight.

Got any questions I might ask there?

Bilingual public consultation on May 3:

There's a public signature campaign to turn the ex-Lamma Quarry into an Eco Theme Park, spearheaded by Lamma Corner (shop just next to Bookworm Cafe). Stop by if you'd like to sign it:

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Submitted by stanleychan2@hotmail.com:
(Email Stanley for the large pdf file)

For the Govt. housing plans, click here:
http://www.ex-lammaquarry.hk/new.html

Register for the Public Forum: http://www.ex-lammaquarry.hk/download/Registration%20Form.pdf

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Everything was said at last year's "consultations" and they completely ignored it.

Need to get their attention. Maybe you can wear one of these?

Well, it would have done no good, this project would still go ahead if we'd all been wiped out in there.

As a (more or less) neutral, self-proclaimed "reporter" and non-activist, I'd need a much more passionate topic for self-sacrifice.

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Here's a brand-new ELQ (Ex-Lamma Quarry) story from Inmedia (in Chinese only so far, anybody wants to do a quick, but better than this Google translation?:

Lamma Sim City (or Lamma Sea Ranch?), by James Wong:

http://www.inmediahk.net/Sim-City

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Attending the invitation-only, non-public Ex-Lamma Quarry Focus Group Meeting in English on Apr 23 as the only (?) North Lamma resident (with less than a handful of actual South Lamma residents), here are some of my notes, also based on private, frank discussions with some attendees on the Govt. side afterwards.

Re: the Lamma Eden idea promoted in this forum above, the SCMP and some other media:
Nobody ever mentioned this or any alternate options in the sometimes frank and quite heated exchanges. Any alternatives are not being considered at all by any of the planners or Govt., housing is fully supported all the way to the very top officials of the SAR.

It'll all be housing, housing, with a little window dressing of watersports in the lake, a little "recreation area", a recreation hotel. No watersports in the bay (too dangerous), just in the lake. NO public housing, just a few Home Ownership flats.

No marina anymore, after local objections from the fish farmers. So the Baroque project stands a slightly better chance when reapplying to the Town Planning Board the not-too-distant future. The objections of ferries being too expensive for public housing tenants basically killed that former idea still supported in the Phase I consultations. A few other small changes, like the in-site layouts and external roads, but nothing major I could spot.

Environmental concerns from birdwatchers and off-island green groups were addressed solely with "mitigation measures" during construction in this "low-quality, brown-site environment of little ecological value with just very few protected species". Very critical comments from the two South Lamma Concern Group members, the HK Institute of Urban Design, the YMCA seniors, plus Prof. Rebecca Chiu, former LegCo and Town Planning Board member.

The current exclusive tenant of the entire ELQ, the YMCA was there in full force (5?), but couldn't add a lot to the foregone-conclusion discussions besides something like, "We and the children love this area and its wildlife and we're making fine use of it all right now." They're hoping for just a few years extension of their exclusive lease which is ending this year, but almost seem resigned to having to move out in a few years the very latest?

The Govt. and South Lamma Powers-that-be are (North Lamma powers still making up their minds, seemingly pressuring for better public services before agreeing?) hell-bent on making this housing development happen. It would take MAJOR public opposition to stop it, but I don't see that happening anywhere yet, for many reasons. The planners were eager to dispel the frequently expressed opinion of Lamma DbAY or Park Island, but weren't successful with most of the participants. Many worries about it becoming another massive failure like Lantau Sea Ranch were expressed as well, but also shrugged off by the various Govt. reps and their consultants.

In the meantime, Village House building has started again all over South Lamma in anticipation of the crowds of construction workers moving in soon; rents still dramatically increasing down there right now, according to local residents. Building permits seem to be handed out in bunches all over North and South Lamma right now, including surrounding my new Pak Kok home and the newly-founded, future 50-house village Tai Wan Nam, just off Power Station beach.

It'll be a major challenge to find a private developer to construct this new town and the Govt. will have to guarantee to promise to pay for all the many hundreds of millions of $s of new infrastructure first before a (probably exclusive, like dBay) developer would agree to build this new town.

Move-in date for tenants in the ELQ in 2021, but expect many years till they reach more than a few hundred, not investment-only permanent residents and all the new infrastructure of this new town/suburb will be up and running (fire station, library, clinic, waste removal, shopping centre, hotel, recreational/watersports, more regular ferries, etc.) In the meantime, all the current many reasons for Lamma's population growing less than the overall HK population - 1%/year over the last 10 years - still apply and might likely prevent people from ever moving to the ELQ.

Lamma Sea Ranch instead of the current YMCA camp/recreation site or a proposed Lamma Eden or recreational/touristic uses?

These were just a few quick notes, discuss in this ELQ forum and in the "Oppose the development in South Lamma... Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/202469039792385

I hope to see some of you in the Public Consultation Forum (Cantonese-with-simultaneous-translation) this Sat morning, May 3 in City Hall, just beyond the Star Ferry Pier?
http://www.ex-lammaquarry.hk/eng-PublicEngagement2.htm

The Lamma-zine will be there and will continue reporting over the ELQ building years, I hope
(at least till Lamma's current and future economic realities will catch up with it again and perhaps put it out of business for good).

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As I expected. If I'd gone I would have just blown up at those hypocritical assholes.
They're going spend a billion dollars, build a bunch of flats to sell to investors, while CY will make speeches saying they're building homes for HK people. Meanwhile all the people who live here now will be forced to pay double rents or just move out to some dump in Kowloon.

Hi Lamma-Gung, i'm the guy who translate the Bobby Li article before. This time, i would translate the Inmedia article for you cause it bring up some interesting and useful point that we didn't know.

Few things you need to know first.
First of all, the writer of this article is Damon Wong (https://www.facebook.com/eg9515?fref=ts) not James Wong.
Second, i won't do a full translation cause it's too long. I only translate the data that is interesting and useful in this article.
Third, my translation is not 100% correct and it's base on my understand of this article.
Last, i'm not a native English speaker and writer, so please accept my poor English.

And the content start now:

According to current information, the government propose 1,200 private housing with size 700 to 1,000 square feet. We suppose it's for residential use but the fact shows that it may become a chance for real estate flipping. According to Rating and Valuating Department statistic in 2012, Housing Vacancy Rate of 700 to 1,000 square feet private house is 6.1% which is higher that small size private house (<400 square feet: 2.3%, 400-700 square feet: 4.1%). Also, the project may not apply "flats with limited floor areas(限呎)" policy. The size may be larger than 1,000 square feet and it 's Housing Vacancy Rate is 10.7% in 2012.

For subsidized housing, it's a big question for both young and old people move in Lamma Island. The lack of caring service (Retirement home)and emergency service (Hospital) are the major concerns of old people. For the young people, the adaptation of natural environment, traffic and local society would be a big issue.

To conclude, development and planing are not like playing "Sim City". It should be slower and step by step, give more time for communication and adaptation.
(in case you don't know what is Sim City )

Stanley Chan writes:

"What a sunny day! No rain drops with 1,080 people signed, total signatures more than 5,000 now."

Photo from above the ex-Lamma Quarry on the Family Trail, May 1, photo from Stanley Chan.

See some of you tomorrow morning at the one and only Public Forum in City Hall, 5 minutes beyond the Star Ferry pier?

http://www.ex-lammaquarry.hk/eng-PublicEngagement2.htm

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we want to sign!! how? where? too late?

There's no online signup campaign, as far as I know. Also no deadline, except May 17, the end of the ex-Lamma Quarry consultation. Go to the Lamma Corner shop, just to the left of Bookworm Cafe, and ask to sign the petition.

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great! thanks

Petition re quarry development on front page of SCMP online Edition:
http://www.scmp.com/frontpage/hk

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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
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Build eco-tourism resort on Lamma, not tower blocks: conservationists




For fuck's sake, do we have so spend $10 billion on a real estate development to get a doctor? Why can't the government spend a half million a year and get a doctor, now? It would cost a tenth of what they spend on heli evacuations.

We have about 5000 people in YSW now, we only have a doctor 40 hours a week anyway, there's no guarantee they would get better.

Using the government's stupid health policies as leverage for this real estate play is immoral, basically blackmail.

And nothing stopping the poor old man selling his land now, what has that to do with the quarry?

Romer's tree frogs need Lamma, we need Lamma, Hong Kong needs Lamma, Asia needs Lamma, the world needs Lamma. Lamma is an unique place in the world, it is an endangered specie. PROTECT LAMMA!

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Yes, in yesterday's (May 13, 2014) Apple Daily there was an article of Bobby Li's major plans on Lamma, including Lamma-1, Lamma Garden, or whatever it's called these days. Here's the entire story as photos:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=636084576460301&set=pcb.636084736460285

Let me get a little translation, editing the very messy Google translation...

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Apple Daily, May 13, 2014, I've edited the Google translation. Please point out mistakes if you can read Chinese:

In the former ex-Lamma Quarry floor mansions to be built
Lamma to double its population

Bobby Li Jian Qiang which a parcel of land located next to the former quarry and cement plant, great development potential.

The HK government actively has planned for a long time to build 4-13 storey housing in the ex-Lamma Quarry, with a population of 5,000. The Baroque on Lamma, rejected by the Town Planning Board, intends a comeback to flex its muscles by the potential quarry development. Only the original, elderly households remain in Sok Kwu Wan's Tung O Village. Their Village Chief confirmed that the younger generation is planning to return and enjoy the right to build a small house; more than 20 new applications so far.

Reporter : Yuan Boen

The Government intends to use about 20 hectares of flat land in the ex-quarry, building a multi-layer 4-11 and 10-13-floor private buildings layer subsidized housing, totaling 1,900 units, with a planned population of 5,000, equivalent to the current population of entire Lamma Island. The Department will build a large shopping center and community facilities, hotel and activity center. The second phase of public consultation will end on Saturday. Although the Government has a strong case that Lamma can sustain this new population, the knock-on effect and the potential go far beyond these plans.

"Apple" reporters last week visited Sok Kwu Wan and the Tung O Wan area, which has long been the main plan on Lamma, said Bobby Li Jian-qiang, resuming the cooperation with Agile Development Chairman Chen Zhuo Lin on the Baroque on Lamma. There are a small number of rural land developments, commonly known as Ding, the South Lamma village at present has only a few elderly people living there, but in the near future new small houses will be built there.

Tung O village head Chan Wai-ming confirmed that the Government started about two years ago with heavy quarry planning, meeting the villagers included also small house research and development aspects. He revealed that more than 20 former residents had applied to build small houses, two have been approved so far.... He said the villagers are expected back later hoping to build developments together, saving construction costs.

At present, five small houses are subject to transfer restrictions, if transferred within the time limit shall apply for the Lands Department and the payment of premium and administrative costs. The latest figures provided by the Development Bureau to the Legislative Council last week show that last year allowed to revoke the transfer of the case to limit to 498 small houses, an annual increase of 24% since hitting a new 12-year high.

Asked whether the construction of small houses would be for resale, Chan Wai-ming said that many former residents wanted to return to the island to retire, but because of the lack of proper medical care and community facilities they had given up the idea. He believes that the former quarry development can help improve this situation. But he also admitted the lack of a market on Lamma Island.

Chan Wai-ming stressed that the development will not accept the destruction of the environment, but the former quarry development is considered a "high-rise", but it does not exceed the ridge line, so it is an acceptable range. The villagers hope for the development to proceed, because they hope to enjoy improved community facilities.

Ecological Education and Resource Center Environmental Officer Stanley Chan Jin-wei worries that the ex-Lamma Quarry development plans will open the housing floodgates....

The biggest beneficiary of the ex-Lamma Quarry development plans might be Managing Director Bobby Li Jian-qiang of the King Wong Group. Li Jian-qiang owns at least 2 million square feet of land reserves on Lamma. Chairman Chen Zhuo Lin, which partnered with Agile development " Lamma Kong" , TPB was rejected two years ago , but learned Lamma Port intends to modify the program in the year before the application into the paper .

Bobby Li not a resident of Lamma Island, but over the past 20 years has continued to buy land. He was interviewed by the media in 2008 when the owners had threatened his own two million square feet of land bank on Lamma Island. He intended to develop the Baroque on Lamma, a hillside and low-density luxury development and hotel, covering about 9.2 million square feet, including 4.63 million square feet at sea level. The land included coastal protected areas, nature reserves and agricultural land, asking TPB to rezone it into a Comprehensive Development Area. But the Planning Department considered the ecological impact and TPB ultimately rejected the project. It is reported that BoL has announced that they plan to reapply mid-year.

BoL's communications suggest a proposed development of an old village conservation project in Yung Shue Ha. They also recommended the establishment of an ecological farm and education center in a farmland nearby. But the planned position seems to be very close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Corrections on the proposed plan are up for an Environmental Impact Assessment after submitting modifications again. No real timetable.

Bobby Li owns approximately 170,000 square feet of land outside the ex-Lamma Quarry and it has been designated as a Comprehensive Development Area. Li has said that they hope to be able to meet the ex-Lamma Quarry developers. Next to Sok Kwu Wan's Tin Hau Temple, just next to the former barbecue area, the TPB approved the construction of a three-storey building, to be used as shops and restaurants in 2010. In Nai Chung, 80,000 square feet of land, Li said in earlier years that it will be used to build a five-star boutique hotel. But so far no sign of construction on these two projects; the latter doesn't even have a TPB application so far.

The most bizarre is the Nga Kau Wan luxury residential project in North Lamma, "Lamma-1". It has 11 3-storey bungalows of about 2,000 to 4,000 sqft. The project got the occupation permit in 2007, Bobby Li had announced, but the site is currently totally empty city. An estate agent said that the site has not been arranged for sale or rental.

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This is probably the most informative story in recent years about Bobby Li's plans for Lamma.
Having met all the people mentioned in the story above in person over the last few years, I'd say that the story is quite well-researched and mostly accurate. Time to have another friendly chat with these key players soon, I hope. Sok Kwu Wan's Tin Hau festival, dragonboating and Cantonese opera tomorrow, time to refresh some old acquaintances.

The final ex-Lamma Quarry public consultation ends this Sat, May 17. It looks like this development will probably go full steam ahead with maybe some minor modifications, dismissing the objections, alternate proposals and signature campaign.

Very little major opposition has been voiced out in public so far, unlike in most of the other major housing plans of the Govt. all over HK which usually face stiff opposition from many groups and residents.

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Here's one more, slightly better, automatic translation of the Apple Daily article, by Bing:

Apple daily reported former quarry building "Lamma port" built mansions on Lamma Island power 1 time times more people "Reporter" found by the Government, "the Sun" for some time the Lamma quarry was reopened into the planning, proposed 4-13-storey building, insert intensive population of 5,000. Plus the mansion plan earlier rejected by the TPB "Lamma territory of" intends to make a comeback through quarry power Playbook. Original remainder Sok Kwu Tung o village on the elderly, males are also ready, the Mayor confirmed that the younger generation is planning to incorporate a small houses return returning Ding Quan, has been more than 20 applications.
Series of the fear which will calm rioting on Lamma Island. Reporter: Yuan Baien proposed Lamma quarry about 20 hectares of flat land, build number 4 and 10 to 13 storeys to 11 storeys of private subsidized housing, a total of 1,900 units, population 5,000 budget, equivalent to the current population of Lamma Island, the Department will also build a large shopping centre and community facilities, hotels and sports centres, the second stage public consultation will end on Saturday.

Although the Government urged Lamma Island can afford this additional population, but the ripple effect, the potential is far more significant than this. Over more than 20 indigenous inhabitants have to Sok Kwu Wan of the Apple press conference last week to apply for small missions along Tung o Wan, as early as "Lamma Island," said Li jianqiang resumption, with agile Chairman Chen Zhuolin Lamma Hong Kong for development cooperation.

The few land belongs to village type development, commonly known as Ding, Tung o village is now more than a few elderly people, but more than small houses will be completed in the near future. Tung o village head Chan Wai-Ming queried, confirmed that about two years ago, the Government quarry, planning in advance, plus the Lamma project, villagers have also met to examine the small house developments. He disclosed that more than more than 20 indigenous inhabitants have to seek small, two have been approved. "We love basketball have advised his, you returned to Li, of course, the best, even if you don't return to Zuo Li applications".

He said villagers expect later collected interest on Lamma Island, the development of this application will be built saves construction costs. The existing small houses are subject to a five-year restriction, if within the time limit the transfer shall be applied to the lands and the payment of the premium and administration fees.

Development provided by the Bureau to the Legislative Council last week, the latest figures show that last year allowed to revoke the restriction amounted to 498 cases of small houses, annual 24%, since it hit a 12-year high. Being asked whether to build small houses for resale, Chan Wai-ming said that many indigenous inhabitants wishing to retire back to the island, but due to lack of proper medical care and community facilities and him eat, convinced former quarry development may help to improve.

But he also admitted that he didn't know each intent, only the estimated premium per seat cost 4 million Yuan on Lamma Island, the lack of markets.

Chan Wai-Ming stressed that it would not accept environmentally damaging development, but thought the former quarry development "buildings" does not exceed the ridge line, is within the acceptable, villagers expected development, who hopes to enjoy community amenities. Ecological education and resource centre Environmental Affairs Director Chen Jinwei worry, a former quarry in the planning for the development of Lamma Island open door. "If they really developed quarry, Lamma Hong Kong now points to balance the times interview you (without approval)? If Lamma apply again and building again. So suddenly, Lamma Island XI within a very short time, Zuo hundreds of hotels, ignoring that I know there are so many needs. Jones Lang LaSalle residential Wai!

"Together with the villagers will have small houses and bed and breakfast in development planning," and bury a cumulative effect, on the South of Lamma Island, really so great a great impact. " Hold 2 million sq ft "Lamma" benefit from "Reporter" Lamma quarry plans to develop, the biggest beneficiaries are expected to be "Lamma Island" title built Mong Li jianqiang, a Managing Director of the group. Li jianqiang total hold on Lamma Island to at least 2 million sq ft of land reserves.

In partnership with agile development Chairman Chen Zhuolin "Lamma", and two years ago the Board rejected, but it is learnt that the Lamma intends to modify the plans this year, and then into the paper application. Eco-Lamma Island, Lee was not residents or, but over the past 20 years I've been trying to buy land, when he was in 2008, media interviews, had threatened his hold on Lamma Island 2 million sq ft of soil reservoir. Which accounted for to most wide of Bo Liu Hong Kong plans, intends to in East o development yacht will, and according to mountain and built of hotel and low density mansion, accounted for to about 9.2 million sq sq ft, including 4.63 million sq sq ft sea range, development land are for coast reserves, and nature reserve and the agricultural to, must to city gauge will applications modified classified for integrated development district, only Planning Department year indicates that on ecological effects too big, city gauge will eventually rejected about project.

According to Bo Liao said Hong Kong had foreign plans years into applications. Lamma communications show in Hong Kong, it is proposed to Banyan tree the old conservation village development project, also proposed a farm to build eco-farm and Education Center. But its newsletter, and was listed as a site of special scientific interest East of Australia are quite close.

Lamma-port limited to correct environmental impact assessment on the proposed plan, to be completed will resubmit after modification of the programme, there is no firm timetable. Early Lee purchased a former quarry, about 170,000 square feet of land, has been designated as a comprehensive development area, Lee said he hoped to meet former quarry development. Original BBQ paradise next to the Sok Kwu Wan Tin Hau Temple in 2010 and received Board approval to construct a three-story building, used as shops and restaurants. 80,000 sq ft of land in Nai Chung, Lee has indicated that it will be used to build a five-star boutique hotel in its early years.

Two projects have not commenced, which TPB does not apply. The most bizarre is its luxury projects Nga Kau Wan "Lamma1", has 11 seats by about 2,000 to 4,000 sq ft three-storey houses. Project 2007 has made an occupation permit, Lee has touted, but site now like a ghost town, estate agents have said the site has not been scheduled for sale or for rent. (Translated by Bing)

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