The Tourism Commission wants to designate Hong Kong Wetland Park, which opens early next year, a special area under the Country Parks Ordinance.

The move aims to provide a legal framework empowering the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation to protect and manage the park to achieve the desired standards of other ecological facilities like Mai Po Nature Reserve.

The proposed Hong Kong Wetland Park (Special Area) Order 2005 and the Country Parks & Special Areas (Amendment) Regulation 2005 will be gazetted on May 6 and tabled at the Legislative Council on May 11.

This will empower the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation to set opening hours for the park and levy admission fees and car-parking charges on visitors.

Admission fee

The single-entry admission fee for an adult is proposed to be $30 while a half-price discount will be offered to the elderly, students and children.

Annual and semi-annual passes, family passes and concessionary packages for group entry will be provided.

Buses and minibuses carrying visitors to the park will be exempted from the $8 hourly car-park fee.

Details of the fees and charges schedule are specified in the amendment regulations. The Government will review the admission fees from time to time based on the market situation.