CEDD responds on planning of Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

     In response to media enquiries on the land use planning of the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, a spokesman for the Civil Engineering and Development Department today (November 9) said the following:
 
     The Government awarded a consultancy agreement in June this year for a detailed planning and engineering study for the artificial islands of about 1 000 hectares around Kau Yi Chau, and a feasibility study on the priority road link and the priority rail link connecting the artificial islands.
 
     According to the plan, the reclaimed land at the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands is capable of providing about 150 000 to 260 000 housing units to accommodate a population of about 400 000 to 700 000. The proposed preliminary reclamation extent for the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands is about 1 000 hectares including not less than 20 per cent for residential use (i.e. not less than 200 hectares), instead of only 10 per cent for residential use as reported by the media.
 
     In addition, the artificial islands will provide about 100 hectares for commercial use and office floor area to support the development of the third core business district in Hong Kong, providing about 200 000 employment opportunities. Through comprehensive planning, a liveable community supported by adequate government, institution or community facilities as well as transport infrastructure, open space and green space can be achieved.
 
     The Government will ascertain the reclamation extent, land uses and supporting transport infrastructure of the artificial islands under the ongoing planning, engineering and transportation studies.