The Hong Kong Harbour Development Committee held its 48th meeting on 3 November 2026 to discuss the 2026 Policy Address and the proposed measures for harbour development. The meeting also reviewed revisions to land use around the Hung Hom station and along the harbour. Development Bureau Director‑General Ng Yim‑ho appeared at the session and said that new harbour initiatives would be introduced “in a hurry.” He highlighted that the policy address contains several key projects aimed at revitalising the Kowloon harbour area, including the development of a yacht economy around Hung Hom station, the revitalisation of the Changsha Bay subsidiary food wholesale market, and a study of an East Kowloon harbour promenade. Ng said these projects demonstrate the government’s commitment to developing the Kowloon waterfront. Ng responded to a committee member’s request to accelerate the Changsha Bay market project. He pledged that the bureau would not allow internal procedural delays and would expedite tasks such as preliminary traffic assessments. If technical issues such as parking capacity arise, they would be addressed in a phased manner, but the bureau would seek to minimise the time gap between the first phase of harbour space and the second phase of the market platform. Committee secretary Chan Pui‑kei explained that the market platform currently operates as a parking lot. Before it can be redeveloped, a detailed traffic impact assessment and a geological survey are required. Because these statutory and technical procedures are time‑consuming, the overall project is expected to be completed in 2030. Ng also thanked the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for its cross‑departmental cooperation. He noted that the wholesale market is a logistics hub and that creating a high‑quality public harbour experience in such an environment requires careful planning. The department has shown a willingness to “take a few extra steps” beyond its usual remit, and the bureau will work with it to explore ways to free up internal space. Regarding the East Kowloon promenade, Ng said the current study focuses on the stretch from To Kwa Wan to Kai Tak, where residential and commercial developments are already complete. He added that the government will not stop at Kai Tak; future plans will extend further east to create a seamless harbour network on both sides of Victoria Harbour. The meeting also outlined the implementation schedule for the policy address. Key projects include the East Kowloon harbour promenade study, a small‑scale optimisation of the Changsha Bay subsidiary food wholesale market starting in 2027 (with pedestrian facilities and a 430‑metre harbour promenade expected by 2030), and the construction of an offshore boardwalk at Shek O New Harbour. The boardwalk will use a revised “Harbour Protection Ordinance” simplification mechanism, with construction slated to begin in the second half of 2028 and finish in 2031. Reporter: Chan Chui‑ying
Article source: Sing Tao Electronic Daily | Image credit: Sing Tao Electronic Daily