The Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, visited Yuen Long District today (October 25) and met with local District Council members to exchange views on district matters. He also visited the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station revitalisation project.
Accompanied by the District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr Enoch Yuen, Mr Wong first met with the Chairman of the Yuen Long District Council, Mr Shum Ho-kit, and local District Council members to gain a better understanding of the latest developments and needs of the district. They also exchanged views on residents' issues of concern.
He then visited the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station and was briefed by the Commissioner for Heritage, Mr Jose Yam, on the architectural merits of the old police station as well as the plan for the restoration and revitalisation of this Grade 3 historic building.
Under Batch V of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, the former Lau Fau Shan Police Station will be revitalised into Former Lau Fau Shan Police Station – Hong Kong Guide Dogs Academy by the Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association. Guide dogs will be bred and trained at the site to provide service to the visually impaired. Some dogs will be trained to provide therapy for people in need, such as children with autism or people who have communicative problems. The Academy will also organise exhibitions, workshops and guided tours to introduce the history and architectural merits of the police station building as well as the development of oyster farming and the fisheries industry in the Lau Fau Shan area.
Mr Wong expressed the hope that through creative adaptive reuse proposals, historic buildings will be given a new lease of life. The public can get to appreciate and use these old buildings, thereby enhancing awareness of heritage conservation and revitalisation.
The Development Bureau launched the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme in 2008. Through collaboration with non-profit-making organisations, historic buildings are preserved, revitalised and put into good use. So far, five batches of projects have been rolled out, involving a total of 19 projects.
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