Editorial | For mega project off Lantau, don’t pull the wool over public’s eyes
- The onus is on the Hong Kong government to convince sceptics that the challenges – both economic and environmental – can be overcome
The government continues to paint a rosy picture over the mega reclamation project off Lantau, with television publicity featuring experts promoting its economic and social benefits. But the financial cost and environmental impact remain an issue of concern to some people, as reflected in the findings of a consultation on the project. Officials must do a better job in explaining the details.
Four months after the end of a low-key public engagement exercise, the Development Bureau said 60 per cent of the 7,800 responses were in favour of the project. Another 25 per cent opposed it, primarily citing financial risks as the reasons.
Individual groups wondered whether officials had selectively presented views to amplify support. With the full details not published for perusal, it is hard to draw any conclusion. Suffice to say that scepticism remain strong in some quarters. Officials must be well aware that the Lantau Tomorrow Vision was never going to be an easy sell.
If the public engagement exercise is meant to find out whether the public supports the project, it clearly shows there is considerable doubt. And if the government wants to narrow the differences in opinion via such a process, it remains a work in progress.
In any case, it takes more than just garnering sufficient support to launch the project. The consultation process involves listening to different views, balancing the pros and cons, fostering broader consensus and making improvements along the way. The government should demonstrate willingness to consider constructive views and adjust the arrangements accordingly.
With a staggering cost of HK$580 billion, the stakes to build three artificial islands as big as 1,000 hectares are high. Cost-effectiveness aside, the government also needs to ensure financing will not be a problem. This is especially important amid changing economic and social structures in the city and growing economic uncertainties in the world.
