I have had a brief, but positive, telephone conversation this morning with the project officer from CEDD.
He stressed that the project was only at a preliminary stage - and that there was plenty of scope for discussing amendments to the alignment and that HKBWS, KFBG and WWF would be involved in the consultations.
Following this conversation, it is my belief that CEDD will be willing to move the bridge to a different location, probably further up the Kam Tin River.
You may be interested to know that HKBWS has a good relationship with CEDD, and that CEDD has a good track record in amending its projects to take ecological considerations into account.
In 2005 CEDD agreed to change their plans for dredging the Shan Pui and Kam Tin Rivers to preserve the mudbanks where so many of our photographers enjoy close views of BFS, ducks, gulls and waders at this same location at the top of Nam Sang Wai.
This is a good example of a situation where early dialogue and a strong working relationship can deliver truly sustainable development.
Cheers
Mike K
