CE visits Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District to learn about progress of Invigorating Island South
5.5.2022

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (May 5) visited Wong Chuk Hang and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District to learn about the progress of the Invigorating Island South (IIS) initiative. Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Ms Bernadette Linn, started the visit at Aberdeen Sports Ground, where she received a briefing from the Head of the Invigorating Island South Office (IISO), Ms Brenda Au, on the various projects under the IIS initiative. One of the projects has been to redevelop and consolidate, under a "single site, multiple use" approach jointly pursued by relevant government bureaux and departments, the facilities in Wong Chuk Hang such as Aberdeen Sports Ground and Wong Chuk Hang Recreation Ground in order to optimise the use of existing land and provide more diverse recreational, sports and community services to the public. Afterwards, Mrs Lam visited Staunton Creek Nullah and the neighbouring public space, where she was briefed by Ms Au on the nullah revitalisation project and two place-making projects, namely improvements to the public space next to Tai Wong Ye Temple by repaving the ground and providing benches and mural paintings to create a gathering spot for people to enjoy in a leisurely way and socialise, and the Green Link in Wong Chuk Hang connecting Wong Chuk Hang Station of the MTR with Aberdeen Country Park through attractive sitting-out areas and convenient pedestrian facilities. Mrs Lam said she was pleased to note that the projects would invigorate the urban area while leveraging and accentuating Hong Kong's unique cityscape with the proximity of the bustling city to the tranquil countryside. Mrs Lam then proceeded to Ap Lei Chau to walk along the waterfront near the Hung Shing Temple. She learnt that the IISO has been working with different government departments to design various themed zones along the waterfronts on both sides of Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter to enhance the vibrancy, and proactively taking forward quick-win measures such as opening up the enclosed landscaped and grassed area adjoining Ap Lei Chau Park to provide more leisure space for the public. "The beautiful natural landscapes, pleasant sea and land scenery, well-known attractions, and rich historical and cultural resources all underline the great development potential of Southern District. Drawing on the successful experience gained from the Energizing Kowloon East initiative, I announced the IIS initiative in my 2020 Policy Address. The Development Bureau subsequently set up the IISO in February 2021 to interact and collaborate with stakeholders within and outside the Government and plan, co-ordinate and implement various projects. Considerable progress has already been made in just over a year," Mrs Lam said. "I am pleased to note that, under the supervision of Ms Au, formerly the Head of the Energizing Kowloon East Office, the IISO formulated its first conceptual master plan in 2021 and subsequently, having taken into account the views of stakeholders and the public, introduced the IIS Conceptual Master Plan 2.0 in March this year. The aim is to develop Southern District, in particular Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, into a district full of vibrancy, vigour and velocity for people to work, live, explore new ideas and have fun. "For both the Energizing Kowloon East and IIS initiatives, I have been encouraging colleagues to take forward co-ordinated regional development with a bold and innovative attitude, a place-making approach and a spirit of community engagement. These success factors have been incorporated into the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy to help build a better living environment for the people of Hong Kong." Ends/Thursday, May 5, 2022 Issued at HKT 19:07 NNNN