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Society for Protection of the Harbour
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Society for Protection of the Harbour (Chinese: ??????, SPH) is a Hong-Kong-based organization founded in November, 1995. It is a charitable, non-political and non-profit making green group. The objectives of the organization are to protect the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong from destruction caused by Government’s excessive reclamation and improper development, and to arouse public aspirations for the Harbour.
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Encyclopedia
Society for Protection of the Harbour (Chinese: ??????, SPH) is a Hong-Kong-based organization founded in November, 1995. It is a charitable, non-political and non-profit making green group. The objectives of the organization are to protect the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong from destruction caused by Government’s excessive reclamation and improper development, and to arouse public aspirations for the Harbour. In order to preserve the Harbour, SPH has raised a number of objections on related Government policies, undertaken numerous conservation projects, suggested constructive urban planning along the waterfront and carried out public education on harbour protection.
Background
There has historically been reclamation of Victoria Harbour since the early part of the 20th century. Since the 1989, when the Government had completed its feasibility study, and launched the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation project, there has been growing realisation on the part of the general public of the deterioration of the environment and the encroachment upon the beautiful natural harbour Hong Kong once had, lost to urban and real estate development.
Concerns about possible impacts of harbour reclamation
- Strategic Planning: Harbour reclamation may isolate Hong Kong from the Pearl River Delta hinterland, setting back economic activities.
- Harbour Safety: The narrowing of the Harbour may create a less favourable environment for navigation and other water activities as water currents become much stronger and space for maneuvering is reduced.
- Landscape Destruction and Loss of Habitat: Harbour reclamation may result in a permanent destruction of Hong Kong's irreplaceable natural asset, Victoria Harbour. The loss of natural coastlines might result in the loss of natural habitats and shallowing feeding areas for many inter-tidal creatures that live in shallow sandy bays or on rocky shorelines.
- Air and Water Pollution: Intensive development of the reclaimed areas may worsen air quality in the nearby urban area. Moreover, reclamation worsens the water quality of the harbour, thus adversely affecting marine life.
- Flushing Action: Reclamation may narrow the Harbour and potentially creates "dead spots" where there is little flushing tidal action, and where litter and sewage could accumulate.
History
The Society was established in 1995
Inspired by his mother to preserve the Victoria Harbour, Winston Chu Ka Sun founded the SPH in 1995. Chairman of the local chapter of Friends of the Earth, Christine Loh became Deputy Chairperson. Jennifer Chow and Honorary Secretary.
On 11th October 2003, Winston Chu announced his resignation as Chairperson of SPH due to death threats against him and his family. To fill the void left by Chu, Christine Loh stepped in as the new Chairperson of SPH. Chu nevertheless continues to provide legal advice and other support to SPH.
Significant events
1996
In 1996, the Society for Protection of the Harbour conducted the “Save Our Harbour” Campaign which received support of 170,000 signatures from the Hong Kong public. The same year in May, SPH succeeded in opposing the Government's proposal of reclaiming 190 hectares (20.5 million square feet) of Green Island.The Protection of the Harbour Bill (????????) to the Legislative Council as a private members' bill in June and sent a Petition to the Governor-in-Council Chris Patten was also produced which was supported by 148,041 signatures from the public in December.
1997
In April 1997, SPH appointed Dr. Robert Chung of the Social Sciences Research Centre of The University of Hong Kong (????????????) to conduct an opinion survey on harbour reclamation. The result showed that over 95% of Hong Kong people opposed further reclamation on the Habour. In June, the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance was legislated. In November, the Government was persuaded to announce that "She would not carry out any reclamation unless it is absolutely necessary".
The Protection of the Harbour Ordinance
Proposed as a private member's bill by Christine Loh in 1996 and enacted on 30th June 1997 , the Ordinance was established as a presumption against reclamation in the Central Harbour. In 1999, further amendment of the Ordinance extended its coverage from Central Harbour to the entire Victoria Harbour. The aim of the Ordinance is to protect and preserve the Harbour as a special public asset and a natural heritage of Hong Kong.
1998
The Government's proposals of reclaiming 340 hectares (36.5 million square feet) of Kowloon Bay and 32 hectares (3.5 million square feet) of the Central Waterfront at Tamar Site were successfully pulled down by SPH in January and May respectively.
1999
In October 1999, the former Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa, under the persuasion of SPH, promised in his 1999 Policy Address to downsize the reclamation plan for the Harbour and to follow the Principle of Sustainable Development as a major concern of the public. In addition, he claimed in a public radio conversation with Winston Chu that “the government will try to reduce reclamation to an absolute minimum”. In December, the proposal of reclaiming a part of North Point(??) waterfront for a cruise centre was successfully halted by SPH.
2000
In March 2000, The Town Planning Board (???????) under the persuasion of SPH, announced in its Vision Statement for Victoria Harbour:- “The Harbour is to be protected and preserved as a special public asset and a natural heritage of the people of Hong Kong. Reclamation in the Harbour should only be carried out to meet essential community needs and public aspirations”.
2001
In June 2001, SPH successfully stopped the Government's project of reclaiming 79 hectares (8.5 million square feet) of the Western District waterfront.
2002-2003
During 2002-2003, SPH succeeded in applying for Judicial Review against the Town Planning Board. The Government's proposal of reclaiming 26 hectares (2.9 million square feet) of the Wanchai waterfront was again opposed. On 5th October 2003, SPH conducted "The Blue Ribbon Campaign" in which around 3,000 supporters joined.
And hundreds of people signed a petition in "Signature Campaign" on 12th October 2003. In the same year, approximately 1000 protesters marched to the government buildings in Central to demand a halt of reclamation work on the Harbour.
2004
In January 2004, the interpretation of the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance suggested by the High Court (Hong Kong)Judgment of Madam Justice Chu was approved by The Court of Final Appeal (????,CFA).
Moreover, SPH urged the Government to halt all reclamation works in Central Reclamation Phase III (CR3) and asked the Town Planning Board to conduct a proper review of the plans with regards to the criteria of the judgment proposed.
In March, SPH held the "Hand-in-Hand" Rally in which over 10,000 people formed a "human chain" along the Harbour from Central to Wan Chai to demonstrate against harbour reclamation.
In July, SPH joined Save Our Shorelines (SOS) and Clear the Air (CTA) to urge the governor to maintain good governance and transparent and fair town planning process.In September, SPH conducted a "Vote For The Harbour" Campaign. In order to include the protection of the Harbour in the election platform, SPH asked its supporters and the Hong Kong public to give their vote for the Harbour, and contacted all the candidates and political parties in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong to support it. As a result, 86% candidates supported harbour protection and preservation..
The story book "The Adventures of Victoria" was published to arouse harbour protection awareness and complaints from the Government was received because of this publication. In response to the complaint, SPH had written a letter to Donald Tsang, Michael Suen and Dr. Robert Chung.
2005
From April to May, SPH held two public campaign; the “Kids Love the Harbour Campaign” (???.???) and the "Giordano selling Saving Victoria T-shirt" for teenagers. In Septemcber,“Victoria Harbour and I” Photo Competition was held.
In May, SPH together with Save Our Shorelines (SOS) and Clear the Air (CTA) held a Joint Press Release and presented a join petition to the Town Planning Board.
In November, the Action Group on Protection of the Harbour and Friends of the Harbour (FOTH) joined together for the first time to launch the “HARBOUR WEEK” from 6th to 13th. On 13th November, SPH, Action Group on Protection of the Harbour and FOTH launched a Harbour Week Carnival (????????) at the Golden Bauhinia Square, Wanchai, to encourage people to appreciate and care for the Victoria Harbour.
On 17th December, another Joint Press Release titled “CIVIL SOCIETY DECLARES VICTORY--STOP and RETHINK: No Rush for the Tamar Site!” was published.
2006
On 1st January, SPH has moved its headquarter from Central to Mr. Winston Chu's law firm in Admiralty. Moreover, she has reduced the number of staff, from two full-time officers to only one part-time worker. While the move has been viewed by other harbour advisers as a retreat in the SPH's operations following the Government's commitment not to reclaim the Victoria Harbour after the legal battle. Ms. Christine Loh, chairperson of SPH, said "By saving on rent, staff and other utilities, we will have more resources for campaigning. It is going to be a long and winding road."
In January, SPH appointed The University of Hong Kong to conduct a public opinion survey --"Planning for West Kowloon and the Harbour-front" which showed that the public rejected the developmental proposal of West Kowloon Cultural District.
In April, SPH and other associations organised a 'Tamar Day' to raise the public awareness of the impact of the construction in Tamar. The SPH continues to hold Press Conference in 2006. One was on 1 June 2006, Mr. Simon F.S. Li voiced the public message regarding the proposed Government headquarters on Tamar. Another one was held on 1st July 2006 outside the Hong Kong Central Library to demonstrate the Society's concern and commitment to the “Protection of the Harbour” and the “Enhancement of the Harbourfront”.
Parts of harbour SPH has saved
Recent actions
The recent action of the Society for Protection of the Harbour is related to the harbour reclamation in the Central and Wan Chai Districts. According to the Government, this project is needed for solving traffic problems, and the reclaimed land will be used for commercial development in future.
Therefore, SPH is now encouraging Hong Kong citizens to request the Government to review its present policy of extensive development of the above two mentioned districts.
There is also a reply slip available from SPH's website. The organization encourages citizens to download it and write down their own opinions.
For more information of the proposal of Central and Wan Chai Reclamation project, please refer to
http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr03-04/english/panels/ea/papers/eaplw1127cb1-471-1e.pdf
Harbour Carnival and Walk for the Harbour
On 12 November 2006, the Society For Protection of the Harbour, together with Friends of the Harbour, Action Group on Protection of the Harbour, and United Social Service Centre (????????) will hold the Harbour Carnival & Walk for the Harbour. The objective of the event is to encourage the public to appreciate and to pay attention to the Victoria Harbour. The Harbour Carnival Walk will set off from the Edinburgh Place along the coastline to the Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square, taking approximately half an hour. The Harbour Carnival and Cruises will be held after the Walk.
Suggestion on urban planning along the waterfront
In order to avoid the Victoria Harbour being destroyed by inappropriate development, Society for Protection of the Harbour suggests the constructive urban planning along the waterfront.
2004
2003
Awards
2005
Clearwater Award 2005, an international accolade presented by USA-based The Waterfront Center , an international waterfront concern group. The Clearwater Award recognizes outstanding efforts by individuals or non-profit citizen's organizations to better their community and harbour's waterfront. The Society of the Protection of the Harbour was presented this Award in recognition for its work in protecting the Victoria Harbour of Hong Kong.
External links
News articles
In English
In chronological order, the latest on top.
- 14/08/2006
- 11/02/2006
- 10/02/2006
- 07/02/2006
- 06/02/2006
- 23/01/2006
- 14/11/2005
- 25/07/2005
- 03/07/2005
- 29/06/2005
- 19/05/2005
- 06/04/2005
- 03/01/2005
- 02/01/2005
Note: "SCMP"=, an English newspaper in Hong Kong
In Chinese
In chronological order, the latest on top.
- 04/09/2006
- 13/07/2006
- 11/07/2006
- 11/07/2006
- 22/06/2006
- 20/06/2006
- 07/06/2006
- 19/05/2006
- 30/04/2006
- 28/04/2006
Other related articles
- Author: Ms. Christine Loh
- Author: Richard Yu
- Author: John Bowden
- Author: Lisa Hopkinson
- Author: Stephen Brown
- Author: Mr. So Man Fung
- Author: Time Magazine Chaim Estulin
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